Overview & Reviews

For years, the Mercury Grand Marquis stood as an example of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The big Mercury, a slightly fancier twin of the Ford Crown Victoria, exhibited old-school automotive design with its stout but heavy body-on-frame construction, solid rear axle and softly tuned suspension calibrations. Its more modern American and Japanese peers, by comparison, featured lighter unibody architecture and fully independent suspensions.

The ride and handling performance suffered somewhat as a result, as the Grand Marquis just wasn't nearly as athletic as more modern rivals. But folks prized this Mercury for its roomy cabin, plush, quiet ride and bulletproof construction, not its ability to tear through a winding road at breakneck speed. It's no wonder that for decades its plainer Ford relative was the favorite of cab companies, police departments and fleet operators everywhere.

For the full-size sedan shopper who just wants a big, comfortable V8-equipped sedan and nothing more, a used Mercury Grand Marquis offers compelling value. Just keep in mind that it's affordable for a reason. Premium features like navigation, high-powered audio and Bluetooth are nowhere to be found, and competing large sedans are much more modern in their mechanical makeup and overall design.

Most Recent Mercury Grand Marquis
The most recent Mercury Grand Marquis generation began in 1998. Concurrent with the brand's demise, production ended after 2011. This full-size six-passenger sedan was generally available in two trim levels -- GS and LS. Going with an LS will typically get you more features.

Despite its 2-ton curb weight, the Grand Marquis was reasonably quick off the line thanks to a 4.6-liter V8 engine. Output varied somewhat during the car's run; models from 2003 and later typically had 224 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic was the only transmission available. Marquis models fitted with the optional Handling package (it was discontinued after 2007) received a power increase to 235 hp.

The Marquis received a variety of updates throughout the years. The biggest changes took place for '03, when the Grand Marquis received an all-new chassis with a redesigned front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, all of which improved crash performance and handling. Antilock brakes were made standard that year, and front side airbags became available. Stability control was never offered, however. In general, we recommend shopping for one of these 2003-and-newer models.

For 2003 and '04, Mercury also offered the performance-minded Marauder, a name that harkened back to the 1960s. This blacked-out Grand Marquis featured a firmer suspension, big wheels, bucket seats and a four-cam, 302-hp V8.

On the road, the Mercury Grand Marquis delivered a soft, forgiving ride, but as expected, the handling was mushy. Ultimately, there was just no getting around this big sedan's decades-old design, substantial weight and large dimensions. Inside, the dated design and spotty materials quality were immediately apparent. The vehicle's chief strengths were its solid value for the money and the roomy, comfortable accommodations for five or six. A huge 21-cubic-foot trunk that could easily swallow a week's worth of luggage for a small family was another perk.

Past Mercury Grand Marquis Models
As for older Grand Marquis that followed the end of the previous model's long (1979-'91) run, the '92 Mercury Grand Marquis debuted with a restyled body and a new-generation, overhead-cam 4.6-liter V8 rated at 190 or 210 hp (with dual exhaust). We found that engine much smoother and more powerful than the ancient overhead-valve V8s it replaced. Minor improvements carried through to 1995, when a subtle face-lift yielded a new grille, lights, bumpers, trunk lid and dash. Not much changed after that until the next big update three years later.

User Reviews:

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  What a great car! - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jbeams - May 25 - 3:21 am

  I would have never bought this car, axcept my Father, said, I am going to pick out your car, since you pick out all lemons as of lately. He pointed out the car lot, and showed me the Mercury Gand Marquis LS, said try the ones you are interested in, then take the one I am pointing out to you. I tried the Ford Explorer, lousy in snow and ice uphill, The chevrolet cavalier, wasnt all that great either, the Grand Marquis not only went through ice and snow, it went all the way up the hill. Wow.

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  good all around - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By pollyreimerjones - May 21 - 3:13 am

  we have just returned from a long trip of over 1800 miles and our new marquis performed excellently. A great ride, with good gas mileage.

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  Trunk lock - 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By mirliyaqat Alikhan - May 18 - 10:56 pm

  The trunk lock of the car is going bad in 55k miles. This is happening in almost all of this model. Please look into this matter.The Air condition electronic switch is going bad at 40k which need to be look into it. Thanks

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  A real surprise - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By ripdaddy - May 15 - 12:37 pm

  I was looking for a Crown Vic to pull my small bass boat with when this 2007 GM got in the way. 6 years old, 44000 miles, body on frame to handle a trailer hitch, $9500.00? Oh, yeah. I was expecting a somewhat clumsy driving experience. Boy, was I wrong! The suspension is tight and well controlled. The steering is precise and so smooth, too. I love driving it! I dont drive with a heavy foot so my worst mpg average for a tank of gas has been 24.6 with about a 40/60 city to highway ratio. A 300 mile highway trip yielded 28.1 mpg. The car is so nice I dont want to put the hitch on it. I feel like I got a new car for 9500 bucks. There are several like it out there, too.

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  Best vehicle I have ever owned - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By drdean - May 11 - 4:30 am

  266,000 miles throughout America and still going. It is such a great driving, comfortable, great milage car that we bought a second one. Got 31 mpg average on Interstate driving. With american built parts anyone can service it. A new Mazda that tried to demolish it last year by driving into it was totaled. The Marquis? Dinged on the right side, drivable. Highly recommend this car if you have kids or if you dont want to be injured in an accident. This car needs a tune up every 300,000 miles with its titanium engine, platinum plugs and gold wires. Dont think, just buy one!

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  My fifth in 20 years - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Dave - May 5 - 7:23 am

  I just bought my latest Grand Marquis after a death in the family and this is the nicest one yet. Decent mileage in a fun, reliable, comfortable car. My last four Mercurys never required mamor repairs and were as reliable as any car I can name.

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  Love These Cars! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By ActionTaxi - May 4 - 7:10 pm

  Someone in these reviews made a very good point. He said that cabbies and cops use these cars. I own a taxi cab business. Mercury Grand Marquis are simply reliable, fun to drive, powerful vehicles.

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  Hard to be Objective - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Waggly Toast - May 1 - 9:50 am

  Its hard to be objective when the car is perfect. Weve had it for a year and weve never had a single problem with the vehicle. We purchased it from my Grandmother and she never had a single issue either. We towed a 3K lb. trailer from AL to UT and it handled the trip with ease. No problems whatsoever. Gas mileage for the trip was around 15 mpg. I was amazed. The car rides smooth and is very quiet. Three car seats fit in the back with plenty of room and we can seat three adults up front. We have enjoyed owning such a reliable vehicle. We put about 15K miles/year on the vehicle. We would recommend it to everyone.

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  The only car I will BUY! - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Grandma85 - April 22 - 8:16 pm

  This is my four grand marquis, I have loved abouloutley all of them. I had a 1993, 1998, 2005, and know a 2008. THis will be my last grand marquis, as I am 85 years old. I love these cars, one of the only cars on the market with a bench seat. I cannot drive cars with bucket seats and a floor shifter. Its way too cramped and uncomfortable. The comfort in this car, doesnt compare to any others. It has all the features i need, love the heated seats. This car also gets great gas mileage. On a long distance trip to ohio, i got 27.8 MPG. Which is amazing for a V-8 full size car. I am sad they are discontinueing these cars.

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  Grand Indeed :) - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Marshall Dillon - April 17 - 10:00 am

  A big, stylish, power-everything cruiser, conservative but not primitive, this baby was just what the doctor ordered. It looks sedate but it hauls buns. The leather seats are total comfort. Controls logical and quite plentiful and they all have a nice quality and sure feel to them. Tons of features. Rides and handles like a dream. Ive always wanted a car like this. 2 years old and a total cream puff, its price off the lot was less than a new Japanese anything, even less than a Ford Focus. V8 and rear wheel drive is where its at. This isnt just a Grandpa car.