Overview & Reviews
Back in the distant pre-SUV era, humungous gas-guzzling station wagons were the preferred mode of travel for growing families across America. The energy crises of the 1970s caused gas prices to spike and sparked seismic shifts in consumer preferences. In the years that followed, a growing number of American families chose to hit the road in more space- and fuel-efficient vehicles. Enter the minivan, and among them, the Mercury Villager. While those old station wagons were yacht-sized, the Villager was yacht-themed -- assuming you opted for the top-level Nautica trim that was, as its sales literature crowed, "inspired by the sea."
Mercury is, of course, a Ford subsidiary; the Villager wasn't Ford's first entry into the minivan market. Ford's initial answer to Chrysler's groundbreaking front-wheel-drive minivan was the truck-based Aerostar. Initially successful, its popularity dipped in of the wake of competition from the growing numbers of modern car-based designs from Japan and America. In 1993, Ford finally introduced a car-based van of its own with the Mercury Villager. The product of a joint venture with Nissan, the front-drive Villager attempted to inject a little pizzazz into the mostly staid minivan segment. The Villager was also intended to bridge the gap between Ford's aging rear-drive van and its forthcoming, freshly engineered Windstar.
Sharing its underpinnings and power plant with its Nissan platform-mate, the U.S.-built Mercury Villager differed mostly by exterior and interior styling details such as Mercury's signature light-bar grille, seen on early models. The Villager was available in three flavors of trim. The top-level Nautica Special Edition helped it stand apart from its rivals early on, with a classy two-toned paint scheme and leather-trimmed captain's chairs that certainly made it the minivan of choice for the preppy set. There was simply no Previa Tommy Hilfiger Edition or J. Crew Odyssey to compete with.
In an era in which many minivans had removable rear seats that were awkward to handle, the Villager was noted for its unique rearmost seat. This seat could easily be slid forward on integrated tracks to accommodate five passengers. The Villager also offered a sizable cargo area out back.
Another bragging point early on was its "in-between" size. The Villager was larger than a standard short-wheelbase minivan, but smaller than extended competitors like Dodge's Grand Caravan. Despite a freshening in 1996 and complete redesign in 1999, its size and seating configurations remained largely unchanged. Although second-generation vehicles provided a more balanced ride and handling, the Mercury Villager offered merely adequate power throughout its lifespan and was never a standout performer when pitted against its class-leading rivals.
Used minivan shoppers who find its size and amenities agreeable could consider a later-model Mercury Villager. However, we think there's greater utility and value for the money to be found in a Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna or in Chrysler's minivans. Budget-minded shoppers should also consider the Kia Sedona.
Most Recent Mercury Villager
The second-generation Mercury Villager spanned 1999-2002 and received few changes. Similar in size and appearance to its predecessor, it really didn't stand much of a chance, given its lack of refinement and compromised utility. At its dawn, the Villager featured a 3.3-liter V6 good for 170 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. Ride and handling were improved from the previous van, as were interior ergonomics. Available in base, Sport and luxurious Estate models, the Villager offered new styling inside and out to complement the new second manual sliding door on the driver side. The Nautica model was scuttled during these years.
During this generation, there were a few minor additions and rearrangements of the equipment list. The only significant update occurred for 2001, when the exterior and interior were freshened.
Past Mercury Villager Models
The first-generation Mercury Villager debuted in 1993 for a six-year run through '98. It sat seven people, with a standard middle-row bench or available quad captain's chairs. Initially offered only in GS and LS trim levels, it was soon available in the popular Nautica edition. Although its body style lent utility and passenger space, the 151-hp 3.0-liter V6 offered only adequate power and lagged behind more powerful rivals as the years wore on. In an attempt to keep up, it was freshened for '96 with new exterior styling and an updated dash equipped with a passenger-side airbag. Automatic climate control and an integrated child seat were also newly available. Passenger comfort and convenience were further enhanced for '97 with rear audio and climate controls. Although it's attractive and comfortable enough, there are better alternatives from that era available. Still, a Villager in mint condition might be worth a look.
User Reviews:
Showing 81 through 90 of 159.00-
Never Again - 1999 Mercury Villager
By VanMom - October 27 - 10:00 amThis has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned and will never buy another Ford product. Have replaced headlight wiring, throttle box (>$400 due to sticking gas pedal), and power door locks. Drivers auto door lock currently not working, and radio display is blank (have found out this is a common problem). Doors rattled like crazy from day #1 (dealer fixed after many, many tries). Many other annoying repairs. Great inconvenience. My advice -- buy a Honda. We have had two,and they last well over 200,000 miles with minimal repairs. Only bought Villager because Honda Odyssey was not available at the time and had to have a mini van.
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SECOND ONE OWNED - 2002 Mercury Villager
By SAM1 - October 18 - 2:00 amThis is my second one; Ive had good luck with both. The gas mileage is good for a minivan. I dont have a problem with the cargo space. My 97 had some electrical problems. The middle seats are heavy to remove.
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2002 Villager Estate - 2002 Mercury Villager
By Rob Roy - October 8 - 10:00 amI have now had my 2002 Villager Estate for about a year and put about 7000 miles on it. Gearshift indicator broke, but easily fixed. The gas mileage could be better. Other than that I like the van pretty well, needs to come with stiffer tires than the Goodyear tires that came on it. They should have redesigned it and cut off some of the weight rather than stop making it. Now when you get a Merc van, you are getting a Ford Winstar with Merc nameplate. I would recommend a used one of these vans.
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2000 Estate - 2000 Mercury Villager
By mercnout - September 20 - 5:42 pmIm definitely glad I found this vehicle while shopping for used vans on craigslist last year. I bought it a year ago with 114,000 miles and have been driving it hard, putting 22,000 miles on it. I use every day as a service vehicle. It has been reliable over all but it has had several wear & tear issues such as new brakes, bad distibutor & new tires. Theres also a knocking or crunching noise coming from the driver side wheel over bumps. It think it may be cv joint or something. So its not invinsible but its definitley reliable & a phenomenal value. I just hope mine hold up to 200-250k miles like many others have.
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07/2004 - 2000 Mercury Villager
By Ismeta Vresk - August 8 - 2:00 amThis car is an excellent van,and not to fast for a family car.It has excellent turning ability,and is very stable in all kinds of weather.Most of all the Mercury Villager is very safe ,especially for a family car.
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Number and still going - 2002 Mercury Villager
By Denzil - May 19 - 5:00 amIve owned 5 Mercury Villagers, starting with a 1995 nautica version. I keep buying them because theyre the best vehicle Ford ever made. Ive put no less than 100,000 miles on each of them, this one has 115,000 miles and is in excellent condition My first one, I sold to a friend is stiil on the road, and he is still a friend. If Ford still made them, Id buy another. Too bad Ford and Nissan couldnt work out their joint venture, Ford would still be in the mini-van market and have a greater market share. If Ford would have put some of the features of the Villager in the Windstar theyd have sold a bunch more of them. I love mine and will drive it until it drops since I cant buy another
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Gas Pedal/Throttle Sticks - 1999 Mercury Villager
By Sue - May 11 - 11:00 pmWe bought this van used in October 2002 with 27,000 miles on it. For the most part we have been very happy with it. The major problem that we have is every two or three years the gas pedal begins to stick. For the longest time the dealership had no idea what the problem was. Finally, they figured out that brake dust was collecting in the area underneath the car where the gas pedal is. They fixed it for less than $300. Two years later we had the same problem. I brought it back in and again they fixed it and things worked perfectly. Like clockwork we are experiencing the problem again, and it is two - three years later, so I need to take it back again. Hope this helps someone!
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Lesson learned - 1995 Mercury Villager
By William Betts - April 14 - 10:00 amWe liked it when we bought it but only a month later middle right-side window began to rattle. That was the beginning. Two years ago (2001) we learned from our mechanic the engine posessed a "valve tap" and would have to be rebuilt for $7000. We elected not to and it should only live another 3 years. Recently the automatic tranmission has been shifting bumpily and sometimes starts with a jolt. We know now not to get another automatic.
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A VAN WITH GOOD PRICE AND RELIABILITY - 1999 Mercury Villager
By AZAZUL BHUIYAN - March 31 - 10:00 amTHIS IS THE VAN THAT COMES WITH GOOD VALUE WITH 3.3L V6 ENGINE MADE BY NISSAN BUT CHEAPER THEN THE NISSAN QUEST WITH SAME FEATURES.DRIVES GOOD.BACK SEATS ARE LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE BUT ITS OK.OVERALL ITS GOOD PASSANGER VAN.
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Good Value - 1999 Mercury Villager
By George B. - March 18 - 6:50 pmReliable, but could use more power and interior room
