The Mercury Mariner was a swankier Ford Escape

The Mercury Mariner launched for 2005. 

The Mariner was a slightly more upscale version of the Ford Escape small crossover SUV.

To give the Mercury a more upscale feel inside the cabin, it featured a two-tone color scheme and specific trim finishes. 

Most of the interior, however, was still shared with Ford.

On the exterior, the Mariner featured Mercury's signature "waterfall" grille. 

The bumpers and wheels were also specific to the Mercury.

Like the Escape, the Mariner was also eventually available with a hybrid drivetrain in 2006.

Also like the Escape, the Mariner was offered with a four-cylinder base engine and more powerful V6. 

A heavily updated Mariner arrived for 2008 with a new exterior and interior.  

The Mariner disappeared following the 2011 model year along with the entire Mercury brand.  

Mercury introduced the all-new 2005 Mariner sport utility April 17, 2003, at the New York International Auto Show. The Mariner, an upscale small SUV offering more features, will be the entry-level sport utilty in Lincoln-Mercury showrooms when it joins the Mercury lineup in 2004.