Ford unveils its second hybrid SUV

Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday formally introduced its second gas-electric SUV, the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid.

Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, the Mariner Hybrid is similar to the Ford Escape Hybrid that preceded it last year, getting about 33 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway -- or 30 percent more than the regular Mariner SUV.

The hybrid retains the same interior space as its gasoline sibling, Ford said, and the exterior differences are mainly an air vent in the driver's side rear window to cool off the hybrid battery pack as well as "HYBRID" badges on the liftgate, front doors and engine cover.

Available & upcoming hybrids DaimlerChrysler Diesel-electric Dodge Ram: Pickup gets 15 percent mileage boost. 2008: Dodge Durango SUV with 25 percent mileage improvement. Ford Escape Hybrid: SUV rated at 36 in city driving with two-wheel-drive model, nearly double that of the gas-only Escape. Highway driving rated at 31 mpg. Mercury Mariner SUV: 33 mpg in the city, 29 on the highway. 2007: Mazda Tribute SUV, no mileage data yet. 2008: Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans, no mileage data yet. General Motors GMC Sierra/Chevrolet Silverado: 2WD models get 18 mpg city, 21 mpg highway for an increase of 10-12 percent over gasoline siblings. Saturn Vue: SUV rated at 27 mpg in city and 32 mpg highway — a 20 percent increase over gasoline sibling. 2007: Saturn Aura sedan, no specs available. Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, up to 35 percent mpg boost. Chevrolet Malibu, 15 percent increase. 2008: Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups that get up to 35 percent mpg increase. Honda Insight: two-door rated at 56 mpg on highway and in city but discontinued starting in 2007 model year. Civic Hybrid: four-door rated at 51 mpg on highway and 49 mpg in city. Accord Hybrid: rated at 35 mpg on the highway, 29 mpg in the city. Nissan Fall 2006: Hybrid version of midsize Altima. Toyota Prius: Sedan rated at 60 mph in city, 51 mpg on highway. Lexus RX 400h: SUV rated at 31 mpg in city driving, two thirds more than its gas-only RX 330 sibling. Highlander Hybrid: SUV is rated at 32/27 mpg in city/highway driving based on two-wheel-drive model. Lexus GS 450h: Sports sedan rated at 25 mpg in city and 28 mpg highway, along with 339 horsepower. Camry Hybrid: Sedan rated at 40 mpg in city, 38 on highway.

In its press release, Ford said the Mariner Hybrid "is expected to meet the cleanest emissions rating achievable by a fossil-fuel vehicle."

Ford added that "the stop and go of the urban commute is where Mariner Hybrid shines" because of its ability to run on electric-mode only at speeds up to 25 mph. And like other hybrids, it shuts down the gas engine when the vehicle is stopped in traffic or at a red light.

Ford plans to have the Mariner Hybrid in showrooms this October.

It also plans to introduce hybrid versions of its Milan and Fusion sedans in the next three years.

The automaker will also produce a test fleet of Mazda Tribute SUV hybrids this year with full-scale production expected to begin in the next two years.

Initially planned as a 2007 model-year vehicle, the Mariner Hybrid was pulled ahead a year because of the growing consumer interest in hybrid technology, Ford said.

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