My 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4x4 has been a decent vehicle, but I won't buy another. The 2003 Escape 4x4 it replaced had a 3.0 liter V6 engine with great acceleration and towing capacity. The acceleration of the hybrid is anemic and limited to 1,000 lbs towing. Fuel economy ranges from 21 MPG in Winter to 29 MPG Spring/Fall with about 26 MPG in Summer. Never even close to the touted 32 MPG. Not only did it fail on promised fuel economy, but the $3,000 tax rebate promised when I signed the contract turned into $1202 when I filed my taxes. The failure on fuel economy and rebate means I'll never break even on the cost difference above the basic gasoline engine model. Never again.
I would buy another gasoline only Escape 4x4. The heated seats and navigation system and leather seats are accessories I would buy again. The "moon roof" is a non-starter. I never use it. When it is opened, it is a bitch to get it properly closed so it doesn't whistle or leak. It's just not worth the aggravation.
Heated seats move from being a luxury to a necessity after you’ve had them for a while.
On the sunroof, have you tried treating the gaskets with a quality rubber treatment like 303 Aerospace Protectant? Or is the problem just bad geometry?
When it is opened, it is a bitch to get it properly closed so it doesn't whistle or leak. My wife's '05 Trail Blazer is like that, bought new, it has always been that way. You have to release that button at exactly the right instance or start all over again and do it until you get it at the perfect instance.