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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  Worst car I ever owned - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By dannj1 - May 26 - 12:48 am

  From the start, I had all sorts of issues with my car. Maybe I got a lemon, but I took care if it and followed the regular maintenance schedule, still had all sorts of costly issues. Radio, interior peeling despite armoral on a regular basis, This car is the one car that made me turn from Ford made products and buy a Toyota, and Im a buy American type of person!

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  Dont Waste Your Time - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By farfalle20 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  In the less than 3 years that I have had my car it has been a total lemon. First it was the brake system then the transmission and lately just like the other person on this rating it shuts down on the freeway whenever it feels like. I have had the fuel relay replaced as well as the computer and it still does this. I really wish I could just get rid of it. A great disappointment because it had the potential to be a really great car.

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  The only good part is the design! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Pritchett - May 22 - 2:00 am

  The only part of the the Cougar I liked was the design. I have had my car 9 months and have only been able to drive it appx. 4.5 months. I have had problems with my starter, the battery cable routing, my gear shifter sticks, the front defroster grille on dash board melts and pops out and Live in Mi. where its cold. Oh and how could I forget when the puter chip went out and the stero alwats cutting off. Any questions.

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  Mercury Cougar - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By angel42497 - May 20 - 5:27 am

  I currently have this car, and all the other complaints about this car above are absolutely true. It is a complete gas hog, it has ALOT of mechanical issues, my interior sucks, headlights are horrible. My car has 134k miles on and is expected for problems, but too much. My Engines motor mount is bad, which causes my car to buck leaving me wonder if it will start for me. Hot weather it is TERRIBLE in, after it gets to about 80+ degrees it wont start. I have never had a problem with the cold though it has been negatives many times. Its fuel injector is going out, transmission is bad, and the RPMs get ridiculous. It sputters whenever you hit the gas lightly. Over all it isnt a good first car.

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  Get Rid of It Now!!!!!!!! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Kateybug - May 18 - 2:00 am

  From day one this car has been a P.O.S. I had it in the shop more than i drove it and the dealership would never fix it right. Recently i have put over 900$ into the car and it still isnt working right. It has had 2 alternators, 2 batteries, 2 fuel pumps, ignition coil replaced, control arms went bad, tires go at only 13000 miles. The car only has around 44000 miles on it as of 2/1/04. Mass air flow sensor was replaced, computer has had to be reset over 10 times. Please take my advice get the extended warrenty i didnt and my pocket is paying for it. I know i got a lemon.. I decided to trade it in b/c i got so sick of it being so undependable.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By rfauske - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Ive never needed any service but annual oil changes. Runs great, looks great and Im very happy with it.

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  The Good, Bad and Ugly - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Jakesmommy1 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car on October 31 2001. I loved this car until the engine, in 2003, decided to blow up on me going down the freeway. I had the oil changed every 500 miles and it still blew up. Now $5500.00 later, they took the cougar off the market to put in a mustang engine to replace the old one. The steering column came apart, the back seat is not meant for taller people. The trunk doesnt open unless you lift up on it, as you turn the key or push the button.There was a recall on a fuel pump part, which causes the hesitation in the get up in go! NOT A GOOD CAR IF YOU HAVE A BABY!!!

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  No Confidence In This Car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By T-K - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Negatives: * Replaced fuel pump twice * Been in the shop 5 different times. * Turning radius is terrible (it reminds me of a semi) * Backseats are too small for adults. * Dim Headlights are too dim. * No compartments for change & stuff. Positives: * Tons of trunk room * V6 is fast & fun. * Mercury covered the cost of the fuel pump recall. I have had the car into get serviced many times. The fuel pump has been replaced twice. No one seems to know what is wrong with it. After the redesigned pump was put it, I figured my problems are over. I still have a sluggish engine and I am constantly worried it will break down. Basically, im selling it!

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  1996 Mecury Cougar - 1996 Mercury Cougar
  By 96cougar - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Weve had our cougar coming up on 7 years now, and its been a great vehicle. 108,000 miles and still runs and drives like the day we bought it. The V8 has great power with out screaming muscle car. Handles well, rides nice and is wonderful for long trips. With the traction control and snow tires, we drive it year round in New England.

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  Great car - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By j193079 - April 18 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great car. I have enjoyed everything about it. It has 56,000 miles and has never had to be worked on.