Overview & Reviews

Depending on how old you are, you probably have different recollections of the Mercury Cougar: Baby boomers will likely remember the original V8-powered pony car and its evolutionary change into a big, personal luxury coupe. Car enthusiasts of a younger vintage are probably more familiar with the Cougar as a small, spry front-wheel-drive sport coupe. About the only common link between all Cougars is their Ford genetics.

Debuting in 1967, the first Mercury Cougar was closely related to the second-generation Mustang. Mercury's version was marketed as being more plush and European. Coupe and convertible versions were offered, and this was the first time that "XR-7" appeared as an option package. From a performance standpoint, these early Cougars were highly regarded, especially as they could be equipped with a variety of powerful V8 engines.

By the mid-1970s, however, the focus on performance had diminished. The Mercury Cougar of this era was more of a personal luxury car. Mercury even experimented with sedan and station wagon variants. The Cougar finally settled into its role as a luxurious coupe at the dawn of the 1980s. As a close relative of the Thunderbird (atop Ford's new "Fox" chassis), the Cougar remained rear-wheel drive and could be V6- or V8-powered.

With consumer tastes shifting away from this type of vehicle in the 1990s, Mercury cut all previous ties for the Cougar's final iteration. As a smaller front-wheel-drive coupe with a focus on style, this Cougar was meant to draw in young buyers who otherwise perceived the Mercury brand as being old and out of touch. However, this approach didn't quite work as well as Mercury had hoped. Faced with disappointing Cougar sales, Mercury finally pulled the plug on one of its most popular and well-known nameplates in 2002.

Most recent Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar spanning from 1999 to 2002 was based on the Ford Contour (and the associated Mercury Mystique), a small sedan with European breeding. Mercury hoped these underpinnings would give the Cougar a sparkling on-road personality while the coupe's sharp "New Edge" styling did the rest, yet this generation of Cougar never met with much success. Some say the car's branding as a Mercury ruined its chances with the younger consumers the company was after, though our experience with the car gives us a few theories of our own.

The Cougar had the makings of a credible entry-level sport coupe thanks to its accurate handling, head-turning exterior styling and an available 2.5-liter V6 with a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic. It also had a generally well-laid-out and comfortable interior (rear seats excepted), a surprisingly utilitarian hatchback body style and a price that was considerably less than other competing models of the time.

On the other hand, the car was merely adequate in a lot of ways. Steering feel was heavy, and acceleration was nothing special, even with the 170-horsepower V6 (the standard four-cylinder put out a meager 125 hp). Outward visibility was also poor. In a comparison test of six sport coupes we conducted in 2001, the Mercury Cougar finished last.

Needless to say, this wasn't one of our favorite sport coupes. Shoppers still interested in a used Cougar from this vintage, however, can pretty much look at any year, as Mercury didn't make any significant changes during the model's four-year run. Slightly altered front styling went into the '01 model, when the instruments and steering wheel were also revised. For the Cougar's final year, Mercury released the 35th Anniversary Package with chrome wheels, hood scoop and an in-dash CD changer. There were also a few special appearance packages, such as the C2, the Zn ("Zinc Yellow") and the XR.

Past Mercury Cougar models

The last and best of the traditional Mercury Cougars came along in 1989. Along with the still-related Thunderbird, the Cougar was redesigned atop a new chassis with an independent rear suspension, and to everyone's surprise, gave up its V8. Instead, this Mercury Cougar used a pushrod 3.8-liter V6 with 140 hp (supercharged to 210 hp in upscale XR-7 trim).

The 1991 model year saw the demise of the five-speed manual transmission and the dropping of the supercharged V6 in favor of Ford's classic 4.9-liter pushrod V8, rated at 200 hp. A better 205-hp 4.6-liter SOHC V8 replaced it in 1994, when the body got a styling refresh and the motorized seatbelts were traded for dual airbags. More styling changes came in 1996, and the interior was made over for the Cougar's last year in 1997.

The basics stayed consistent throughout this Cougar's model cycle. A 200-inch-long body, roughly 3,600 pounds of weight and numb steering kept it from being truly sporty, but rear-wheel drive and the all-independent suspension gave it respectable handling and a rather serene ride. Acceleration was fine with any engine besides the basic V6, though gas mileage was pretty dismal regardless. Interiors are attractive (despite Ford's old hard-to-use radio) and four adults will fit, though the Cougar's interior space and comfort are more in line with that of a midsize car than its size and weight suggest.

There are definitely smaller, lighter, faster, more efficient ways to cruise the streets in two-door style, but if rear-drive, a V8, a decent-size backseat and a low price are of top importance (and muscle cars aren't your thing), this generation of the Mercury Cougar is probably a pretty good pick.

User Reviews:

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  Still loving it - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By cynco - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought new in 99 and still driving it at 53000m. I love the way it handles and it still looks great. Some mechanical issues- fuel pump, trunk latch, and engine light. Fuel pump was the biggest headache - finally got Ford to refund repair cost. (I wont deal with the dealer for repairs!) Overall, I cant complain - it has been reliable and it rides great.

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  What a great buy for a great car! - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Oregonian - January 22 - 2:00 am

  We have had no problems with our 2001 Cougar. It is VERY fun to drive and has a huge interior considering its exterior size. The styling jumps out at others and turns about 20 heads a day when we drive about 20 miles a day. The front and especially rear leg room is generous. Its sad that Mercury is discountinuing the Cougar for 2003, but this is your chance. We recommend this car to any buyer young or old, short or tall. And the price is right too. Normally, the price starts around $16,000. Now, since its getting discountined, you can get a new Cougar for way under $10,000 if that seems believable, but according to our local dealerships, its true.

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  Silver Bullet - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By alansf - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I love the way the car looks and in the first couple of years it was trouble free except for the recalls.

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  My cougar has wiring problems - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By slushiesg35 - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had my cougar for 6 months, It was a one owner lease return that had been cared for like no other... I have had nothing but trouble with it, It dies when i get on it, I just smoked my 3rd alternator, I have a had alot of wiring problems... My dash lights have gone out and wont come back on... I have taken very good care of my car and I dont trust it to get me around the block.... I paid 11,500 dollars 4 my car and in 6 months it has lost 2000 dollars of value... TO ANYONE OUT THERE THATS THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE, DONT.... I HATE MY CAR... AND U WILL TOO IF U MAKE THE MISTAKE OF PURCHASING ONE....

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  Some People are Dumb - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By thiscarules - December 24 - 2:00 am

  People have to understand that almost all sport cars dont have back seats! I have noticed that my dash/radio lights do dim and i worry about the alternator, but it still going. I bought this car as a pre-owned in Oct. 2000, i only have had to replace the fuel pump once in july 2002, in sudden accelerations it would sputer. It has original looks so your not a clone on the road, it has plenty of power but i do want to add some stuff like an intake and exhaust for a bit more HP and fuel economy.

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  nice car - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By enforcerdfu - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Very fun to drive car.My wife has a C2 and the only prob. we have had is with the fuel gage and miles to empty.Right after we bought it the gage would take about 30 miles after filling up to go to full.Also agree that in acceleration it is not to great but top end is wonderful for those who drive fast on the interstate like me.

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  Great car, whats with all the haters? - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By duby - December 19 - 2:00 am

  My 2002 Mercury Cougar V6 sport is one of the best looking cars on the road. I cant stand reading all the poor reviews on this car. Whats wrong with it? Its not as fast as a mustang cobra? If you want a fast car, get something else. Its not like the cougar is slow. I can hang with celicas and V6 stangs. PLus, the cougar looks better. What else can you ask for? This is a TREMENDOUS car if youre looking for a sports car for under or around $20,000.

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  I Love It - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By TheJew - December 1 - 2:36 am

  he I4 is awesome, plenty of power, and easy to upgrade, same engine as ZX2 and SVT. Lots of aftermarket parts available. I bought it with 74K miles on it, and it still gets an impressive 27mpg in the city and around 30mpg on the highway. I upgraded the rims & tires, and added a Cold Air Intake, Aftermaket exhaust, throttebody spacer, and new plugs with NoLogy spark plug wires. Previous owner had already put Koni Gas Shocks on it. It now Dynos out at 235whp, and 220tq at the wheels.

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  Love that Cougar - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By shelkatt - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely love my car!! It is an XR and bright red. It is very fun to drive and in my opinion it is the sharpest looking car around the small town I live in.It is too bad that they are no longer made.

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  Love It - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By KEG - November 27 - 2:40 pm

  I just bought a used Cougar. The service engine light was on when I got it and after just a few hundred miles it the light started blinking and the car started acting like it was going to fall apart. Once the light stopped blinking, the car started driving right. I am going to get the car checked soon, but overall I love the car and it stills looks brand new and like some of the others say it gets looks and that is what I like. I have a Firebird and Xterra, but would rather drive the Cougar now.