Pontiac Torrent vs. Mercury Mariner Hybrid Review

Utility
The Pontiac Torrent and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid can accommodate the same number of passengers. The Torrent outpulls the Mercury by a massive margin.

Performance
Regarding horsepower, the Torrent packs quite a punch and will knock the Mercury Mariner Hybrid down a few rungs. However, remember that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums.

Dimensions
Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Pontiac Torrent than the Mercury Mariner Hybrid because of its larger tank. The Mercury and the Pontiac Torrent compete for the same parking spaces. The Mercury Mariner Hybrid's shorter wheelbase will give a more agile feel in daily traffic. On the other hand, the Torrent is likely to have a smoother, more stable ride.

Convenience
You'll most definitely take the Torrent for a fill-up approximately as often as the Mercury Mariner Hybrid.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs almost the same to get the Pontiac Torrent to the dealership as the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The Torrent consumes a lot of gasoline compared to the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The Mercury won't save you much money at the pump compared to the Pontiac Torrent. The Pontiac isn't much less expensive than the Mercury Mariner Hybrid in terms of MSRP. The Torrent will cost you a bundle in gas every year compared to the Mercury Mariner Hybrid.

Handling
With their similar turning circles, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the Pontiac Torrent most definitely handle about the same into and out of tight spots.

Drivetrain
The Torrent's engine is substantially larger than the Mercury's. Remember that bigger engines may use more gasoline than smaller ones. The Mercury Mariner Hybrid could learn a lesson or two from the Pontiac Torrent as far as torque. The Pontiac Torrent packs quite a punch compared to the Mercury Mariner Hybrid in terms of torque, which is roughly equivalent to acceleration.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Pontiac offers a bit more head room than the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, there really isn't much of a difference. The ampler interior dimensions of the Torrent make it significantly roomier for your passengers than the Mercury.

Warranty
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the Pontiac Torrent have the same basic warranty.