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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  Cougar - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By tweety - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had numerous problems with this car. The fuel pump has gone out three times and the starter has also been replaced. It seems to be sluggish on take-off and dosent perform like a sports car like I expected. I am very disappointed in this car.

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  Never again - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By illstickwithmopar - June 6 - 10:00 am

  True this vehicle may be a blast to drive but the design quality of this car leaves tons to be desired. First off the fuel injectors are of poor quality having had one go out about a month after I had bought the car. The body molding especially on the front bumper was put together by 3yr olds, not to mention all the recalls that were involved. I would expect better quality and reliability from a new model.

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  Dont be fooled.. - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By tcmommy - March 26 - 1:11 am

  I bought this car used as my very first car. It had 55k miles on it and I loved it at first. It now has 153k miles and I dont even feel safe driving it. At about 70k miles I had already gone through 1 alternator and 2 batteries. The car started shaking really bad and I needed to replace entire transmission. All in all, Ive had to replace, many tires (more than usual), 4 alternators, 2..yes 2 transmissions, transmission and engine mounts, many batteries, the trunk no longer stays open on its own, check engine light will not go off, even though dealers have checked numerous times, lights have a film over them, and power window motor twice. It looks nice, breaks great, but just not worth it.

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  Great ride, but falls apart too quick - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By kidfilter - March 14 - 1:43 pm

  Like many of the reviewers for this car, I started having troubles from day one, nothing too major front headlight was out and a recall for the steering, but still frustrating. My major problem with the car is the fuel system. Troubles started in 2003. I started running out of gas even though the gauge said there was gas in the tank. Now (2007) I cant let the car go below a 1/2 tank without worrying that I may run out of gas. I just replaced the alternator. The cupholder is dangerous. Sounds silly, but wait till you make a tight right turn in one of these babies and have a lap full of scalding coffee. Great handling, fun design. All trunk no backseat. Not good for people over 55".

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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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  Just a Lemon - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By cougar - October 9 - 9:26 am

  I loved this car when I first got it. Now as I review it I actually ran out of space I can use. The list or things wrong: 6 alternators, air only works on high, sunroof will not go back only up, fuel system replaced, engine light stays on, lights inside and outside dim when you turn the radio on or air on, you can hear the motor of the air/heater when you first turn it on. I have taken good care of this car only those Ford parts have been used with them installing the parts. I was upside down in payments after the first 3 yrs so I couldnt trade it in. I would not sell this care to anyone-seriously. I looked it to the lemon law but the warranty had expired on the car.

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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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  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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  Love it, BUT.......................... - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By NJCougar - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Car performs nicely and serves many purposes courtesy of the fold down rear seats. Encountered too many nickel and dime repairs, recalls, tweaks over 4 years, not to mention a problem with the Cat conv that I had to fight with Ford to have covered under warranty. Several electrical problems alternator, wiring harness, battery from year one to 2003