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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  Decent Car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Dustin - March 16 - 9:20 pm

  The Cougar is a fun, sporty car, so it turns tightly, rides stiffly, and the 5 speed manual shifts smoothly. But I have been unimpressed with the build quality. I changed my grille, put a new driver side mirror on, and ran subwoofer cables, so I have taken apart a lot of the car. Almost everything snaps together! You know what holds the bumper on? Plastic pins. Most everything is plastic, especially the dash. And oh, what a noisy, squeaky dash it is, too. Drives me crazy. All in all, Id say the Cougar is a decent car, but the build quality worries me, and I am going to soon upgrade to something more reliable and better quality.

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  Be glad its gone! - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Big John - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I thought Id give Ford one more chance, but I should have bought Japanese car. Rough engine performance, tires vibrate, no low-end torque, squeaks, hood needed to be painted, and now CD player giving me trouble. Looks are deceiving and you get what you pay for. A lot of car for money, but want to trade out now and get a quality vehicle with some performance. Way down on horsepower compared to other V6 sport coupes.

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  This Cats a Dog, but I Love it Anyway - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By B. Grimms - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Some owners seem anxious to complain about their Cougar; maybe Ive just had good luck. Other than the Duratec leaving something to be desired, I couldnt be much happier. After test driving a Celica, Eclipse, and other coupes, I decided on this domestic V6. Ive been impressed by its handling, comfort, and interior design. The pick-up is tepid, however, and I felt compelled to replace the obviously fake scoop. I chose the Zn, but customized most of the special features anyway. Im not sure Id go with yellow again, but its easy to spot in a parking lot. Until I have my midlife crisis, kids or both, Im planning on enjoying this car for awhile.

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  Got good use of the car - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By SharShar008 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 99 Cougar in 00 and have driven 60k without any major problems others speak of. (without proper maintenance!) The car handles beautifully. The quality put into designing the vehicle was a bit overlooked. I have had problems with the paint chipping and rust underneath the windshield wiper fluid dispensers. When I first purchased the car it was new. The interior liner and speaker cover had to be repaired twice because they "fell off" Unfortunalty the trade in value is next to zilch. The car is very nice to look at and fun to drive.

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  I Love My Cougar! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Lizzy - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! I was a little disappointed with the engine, I figured a car that sporty looking would have an equally sporty engine. Ive heard that the Cougar has acceleration problems. I guarantee you that everyone who says that drives an automatic. I have the I4 engine and I have never had problem accelerating. Get the manual! But this car is unique, and you dont see too many of them out there, making me just that much prouder of my car!

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  I loved it while i had it - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Great First Car - February 8 - 1:30 pm

  I recently just purchesed a new car so no longer have this car but while i had it i had a great time. I received the car as a grad gift 2 years ago and from the date i got it til the day i traded it i loved this car! I did have the leak issue that everyone else did but it was a blast to drive & with the after-market exhaust I added it really turned heads!

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  Lemonade? - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Jen - February 7 - 12:00 pm

  One year in, and this car needed the fuel pump replaced while still under warranty. CD player 6 cd in dash also ATE cds and got stuck even after repairs to it. Needed to do the brakes sooner than would be expected. I was told that this was due to the front wheel drive or something.. Not only the brake pads, but also the rotors usually need to be replaced every time on this type of brake system. They dont tell you that when you buy it. Next came the dead battery.. at about 25,000 miles. Just as it fell outside of warranty in terms of years, not miles, it needed the alternator replaced. This was at 32,000 miles. This is when I dumped the car, ate the negative equity, leased a Mazda

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  I LOVED BOTH OF MINE - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By HOT BLONDE - February 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Cougar. I totaled out my first one and walked away with just a few bumps and scrapes. Then I bought another one just the same but a different color. Then a month later some stupid guy in a truck hit me from behind going 55 mph. Totaled that one out too and walked I away just a little shook up. I still have the second car...I had get if fixed. This car is very safe...Im still ALIVE. I loved both of my cougars but now mine in for sale. The only probably I have had with my car is two days ago my alternator went at 88,000 miles.

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  We love this car! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By mbserna - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Im surprised to read about the problems some have had with this car. My husband and I have had no problems. Weve driven it coast to coast and havent had to take it in for anything except for oil changes. It is a fun car to drive and the hatchback with folding seats gives us plenty of storage room. Weve hauled furniture and had friends borrow it to haul things that wouldnt fit in their cars. Were sad to be selling it, but the bucket seats in the back arent the best to put a car seat in.

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  jessii - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By jessii0825 - January 26 - 5:23 am

  I bought this car from private seller after owning one before and loved it. Since I have this car I have put more money in than its worth. Had transmission replace, starter, gear cable and now something seriously wrong with engine (timing and wheel something) which will costs another 2300 to fix. I said forget it and Im selling for parts (of course I dont know who would want these crappy parts). I would never recommend buying this car. Its junk!