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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  Not a reliable car.. i hate my cougar - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Ashley - March 17 - 10:16 am

  I bought this car about two years ago after having a friend total my vw jetta which i loved. the cougar is nothing compared to that car and i can say i have had more problems with my cougar than i ever had with my jetta. within the first few months of having my car i liked it, it was nothing special but after like four months i started to have major problems with it. since i have spent probably close to $6000 fixing it. replaced the transmittion, any and every sensor possible, the alternator is bad now and i have had probably 5 batteries all go bad. the car stalls when it gets cold out or rainy. it is a very unpredictable car and i would not recommend it to anyone... wish i never got it

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  Great Car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Cougarman2000 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Since I bought this car about a month ago I rarely drive my 2002 honda civic LX Sport. This car turns heads everywhere I go, and the chicks love it. Lots of power in the V6. Just a great car overall. Ive put 8000KM on it already and no problems yet. The car has 48000KM on it now.

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  A great car. Shes always there for you. - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Lindsey J - February 25 - 4:03 pm

  Wonderful car. I have had her for five years and have not had a single engine repair. Im now at 89,000 miles and its runing smooth. There seems to be a little trouble with the tire design becuase I have gone through more than my fair share of sets.

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  99 Cougar - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Angela - February 23 - 11:53 am

  It handles ever so sweet. You are craddled in the seat. The only thing I would change on the vehicle is the rear view mirror. It obstructs your view when coming down or going up a ramp and you are looking ahead. I dont know how they could do it differently - maybe if it was off center and more towards the passenger side? But it is still a sweet ride.

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  Bad Car - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Bpkr103 - February 11 - 9:36 pm

  Ive had nothing but problems with this car since I purchased it. Had 40,000 miles when purchased and bought extended warranty ( thank God ) Had new transmission 2 months after I bought it and now the engine is blown. Dealer asked for receipts for oil changes after the car sat for 3 weeks. Poor services, so glad I got that extended warranty now ill see if they honor it !

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  Overall Good Car - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By JHB - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive put 10000 miles on my car in 5 mos. Im in the military so I drive a long distance from home and base. I have experienced no engine problems, besides the fact the check engine light is almost always on.The electrical part is another story. The driver side window goes down but not up, and the doors lock automatically sometimes. Otherwise it drives great, runs excellent, and looks really nice. This car in my overall opinion is its a good car with typical car repairs. The car runs very well over long distances. I did buy it with a warranty so its all covered anyways.

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  Pretty good so far! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Jewels6 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car a little over a year, i like it pretty good. My trunk release has never worked. I have had to have a hose replaced and 2 new front tires and a censor, other than that, its fine. The worst problem I have had is with the dealership. I like it, its sporty and I feel free when i drive.

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  Loved it! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Tlover - December 28 - 10:30 pm

  Well this car was given to me by my parents as my first car. It was a great first car! Very sporty and got alot of attention. The only problem I ended up having with it was the sunroof broke and was going to cost a fortune to replace! Next problem...I dont drive it anymore is that I was rear ended at 50mph which in turn made me slam into the car in front of me. The car was absolutely crushed like a little can and guess what...no airbag deployment. Dont crash and the car is great!

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  Why did they stop making the Cougar? - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Teresa - December 28 - 2:16 am

  In 2002 I bought a used 1999 Cougar, this proved to be one of my best decisions! I have put thousands of miles on this car. I have popped down the back seats and hauled more than in those toys trucks that are so popular. I have dressed up and taken my girlfriends out on the town in this sporty little car. I have saved so much on my gas bills, with my mileage ranging from 29 to 31 mpg. So I ask why did they stop making this car?

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  Take the Good with the Bad - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Cougar - December 16 - 11:40 am

  I love the outer appearance however it is lacking in other areas. I have the "leather" interior. this car is 5 year old and already the seats are shot. I have rips/holes just from every day use. I have only had this car a few months and have had to replace the brakes and recut rotors. The transmission seems to be slipping at times too. Its fun to drive but the repairs will cost you. I have a Chevy before and I think I just might go back to buying them next time around.