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Mercury

If you're in the market for a compact hybrid SUV, you may have been overjoyed to learn that you have several buying options available to you. That is, until you realize that three of the most affordable options are all virtual clones of each other.

Ford uses the same powertrain and architecture to build both the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid and 2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The American automaker also helped Mazda build the Tribute, which means it is essentially the same vehicle as well. While all similar, these three brothers are not identical. Learn the differences of the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid to determine which one best fits your needs (note: the Tibute Hybrid is only available in California).

What's the Same?

First, let's rattle off the features that all three hybrid SUVs share. All models come equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with an electric motor. Combined, this powertrain delivers 153-horsepower and 136 lb-ft. of torque. Thanks to the hybrid technology, the Escape, Mariner and Tribute all earn a maximum of 34 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Maximum towing capacity is 1,000 lbs.

Exterior and interior dimensions are all virtually identical as well - so don't expect to find a roomier fit in one vehicle over another.

Cosmetic Differences: Escape Hybrid vs. Mariner Hybrid vs. Tribute Hybrid

Beyond unique badging, the three vehicles vary primarily in terms of luxury trimmings and styling details. Cosmetically, the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid is the most stripped down model, though that's not to say it is uncomfortable. For example, the Mariner and Tribute both boast chrome and/or leather accents on interior features such as the gear shift knob, whereas the Escape is mostly plastic and rubber.

So really, your buying decision will likely come down to which vehicle you think looks the best. The Mercury Hybrid is the most upscale model of the three, with the Escape and Tribute offering similar levels of comfort and convenience.

Cost Differences: Escape Hybrid vs. Mariner Hybrid vs. Tribute Hybrid

As you might expect, the more opulent Mercury Mariner Hybrid costs a little more than its brothers. Base price for the Mariner Hybrid starts at nearly $32,000. In comparison, both the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid can be had for just under $30,000.

However, base price shouldn't be the only consideration when comparing price. To find the best deal, you'll want to compare total cost to acquire all of the features you are looking for. All models offer different standard equipment and options packages. And with enough upgrades, you might be able to achieve a reasonably outfitted Escape Hybrid without paying the same price as a Mercury Mariner. As such, take a look at the options packages offered on each model and see which one best matches your needs and wants.

Click here for all new car rebates and incentives.

2009 Buick Lucerne
0.0% Interest or $5,500 Cash Back

The 2009 Buick Lucerne is a large luxury car with its feet firmly planted in the American tradition. That being said, it manages to escape some of the clichés that have dogged domestic luxury cars in the past, thanks to careful design. The Buick Lucerne’s primary feature is its generous interior room, which helps to make it a very comfortable car for up to five adults no matter how long a trip might last. Cruise control and air conditioning are standard, and options and trim packages can add dual climate controls, parking assist, heated mirrors and seats as well as leather covers front and back. The top of the line Buick Lucerne comes with cooled seats, a blind spot monitoring system and a lane departure warning system.

The 2009 Buick Lucerne offers drivers a choice of either a V-6 or a V-8 engine under the hood. Most Buick Lucerne models are outfitted with a 3.9-liter, 6-cylinder motor which provides 227 horsepower and 237 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. The Buick Lucerne Super trim ups the ante with an 8-cylinder unit that displaces 4.6-liters and produces 292 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque. The Super shares the same transmission as all other Buick Lucerne trims, but it does additionally offer a magnetically-controlled suspension system. Fuel mileage drops to 15 miles per gallon around town and 22 miles per gallon on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $5,500.00 cash back on the 2009 Buick Lucerne effective until 11/17/2009.

2009 Chrysler 300
0.0% Interest or $4,000 Cash Back

The 2009 Chrysler 300 is an all-purpose, full-size sedan that has something to offer almost anyone. With a range of drivetrains and options packages, the vehicle can serve as anything from an all-weather champion to a drag strip hero. The entry-level Chrysler 300 LX comes with all of the standard amenities expected in a sedan at its price point, but stepping up to the Touring trim level includes leather seats and trim, fog lights, dual climate controls and available power and heated front seats. The Limited trim improves the vehicle’s suspension system and also adds a hard drive-based entertainment system, The Chrysler 300 SRT8 is a performance model that provides Brembo brakes, tuned stability control and model-specific trim inside and out. A stretched wheelbase edition of the Chrysler 300 is also available.

There are almost as many different engine packages available with the 2009 Chrysler 300 as there are trim levels. The sedan starts out with a 2.7-liter V-6 that offers 178 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, while showing fuel mileage of 18 miles per gallon in stop and go driving and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. A much more capable 3.5-liter V-6 can also be ordered, and despite its 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque it manages fuel economy which is only 1 mile per gallon lower for each respective measure. Fans of muscle-car levels of power will appreciate the 300 C model’s 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, which squeezes 360 ponies and 389 lb-ft of torque from 5.7-liters thanks to the use of variable-valve timing. Fuel mileage is also excellent, with cylinder-deactivation technology enabling 16 miles per gallon in town and 25 miles per gallon while cruising on the highway. The SRT8’s 6.1-liter V-8 expands output to 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, but fuel economy drops considerably to 13 miles per gallon city and 19 miles per gallon highway. Each rear-wheel drive V-6 is matched to a four-speed automatic transmission, while all V-8’s as well as all-wheel drive V-6 models feature a five-speed auto.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $4,000.00 cash back on the 2009 Chrysler 300 effective until 11/30/2009.

2010 Lincoln Town Car
0.0% Interest or $2,000 Cash Back

The 2010 Lincoln Town Car is the ultimate in old-school luxury. The Lincoln Town Car is a throwback to the days when large, comfortable rear-wheel drive platforms dominated the market, and it still commands its fair share of buyer dollars today. The sedan is big, solid and boasts a trunk which can swallow as many golf bags as there are passengers, with room to spare. The Lincoln Town Car is replete with high quality leather seats, dual climate controls, a CD player, cruise control and a power closing trunk lid right out of the box. If desired, buyers can specify whitewall tires. A stretched edition of the sedan is also available, and it improves the rear quarters of the vehicle which is where most who order this version of the Lincoln will spend the majority of their time. A THX sound system, HID headlights and navigation round out the most exclusive options on the Lincoln Town Car.

The 2010 Lincoln Town Car is motivated by the same trustworthy 4.6-liter V-8 engine that it has featured for the past several years. For 2010 it generates 239 horsepower and 287 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough to keep up with the flow of traffic no matter how heavily laden the sedan might be. A four-speed automatic transmission is charged with the gear shifting duties, and the Lincoln Town Car returns fuel mileage of 15 miles per gallon in stop and go driving and 22 miles per gallon on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $2,000.00 cash back on the 2010 Lincoln Town Car effective until 01/04/2010.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
$2,000 Cash Back

The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is an affordable crossover vehicle that scores big in the mid-size class thanks to its excellent combination of capability and features. The Hyundai Santa Fe can be ordered with a third row of seating in order to accommodate as many as seven passengers, or buyers can choose instead to maximize its cargo space – which comes out to an impressive 78.2 cubic feet in total. All editions of the Hyundai Santa Fe come with a full range of power equipment, as well as an MP3-capable CD player, USB input and keyless entry. Other goodies available on the sport-utility vehicle include heated leather seats, dual climate controls and even a towing package and navigation system.

The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe makes use of a 2.7-liter V-6 as its base engine. It features 185 horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque, as well as a-rare-for-its-class five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic is also available. Those who desire more potent acceleration can opt for the 3.3-liter V-6 found in the higher trim levels, which outputs 242 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with this engine. Fuel economy for the larger engine comes in at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway, with the smaller V-6 improving the highway number by 1 mile per gallon. All-wheel drive can be ordered with either power plant.

There is an incentive of $2,000.00 cash back on the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe effective until 11/30/2009.

2009 Mercury Mountaineer
0.0% Interest or $4,000 Cash Back

The 2009 Mercury Mountaineer is a truck-based sport-utility vehicle that caters to both the family crowd and those who need an SUV that can handle light off-road duties. The Mercury Mountaineer manages to balance its rugged platform with a serious dose of asphalt charm, which means that passengers won’t be jostled by a rough suspension. With an interior that flirts with the lower edges of the premium market, the SUV has room for up to seven passengers, as well as 85.8 cubic feet of total cargo space. Third row passengers benefit from their own climate controls, and leather seats, the Sync entertainment system and a moonroof are all available as options.

The 2009 Mercury Mountaineer comes with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine that provides 210 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque, along with a fuel economy rating of 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. A five-speed automatic transmission is included with this motor. A more robust 4.6-liter V-8 is also available, and it adds an additional 82 horsepower and 46 lb-ft of torque while turning in fuel mileage that is actually better than its smaller cousin: 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with the V-8. Four-wheel drive can be ordered on either edition of the Mercury Mountaineer, and towing capacity is just north of 7,000 lbs.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $4,000.00 cash back on the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer effective until 01/04/2010.