Overview & Reviews

Mercury was a division of Ford Motor Company marketed as being somewhat more upscale than Ford. Throughout the latter part of its 71-year history, Mercury's vehicles were essentially Fords with unique styling details and special features meant to enhance their desirability relative to similar Ford products.

It all started in the 1930s, when Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's son, saw an opportunity to create an additional brand within the Ford hierarchy, one that would exist between the everyman Ford Deluxes and premium Lincoln Zephyrs. To achieve this, Edsel felt the vehicles of this new brand should offer distinctive styling along with innovative features and better capabilities. He named the new division "Mercury," after the Roman mythological god. The 1939 Mercury Eight was the division's first car. It distinguished itself from similar Ford products via a 95-horsepower engine that offered 10 more horses than the Ford V8.

The Eight proved to be a hit, with more than 155,000 sold by the early 1940s. Production stopped during World War II; after the war, the brand was realigned more closely with Lincoln. The company grew from strength to strength in the '50s, establishing itself as a maker of vehicles offering style, performance and cutting-edge technology. A dash of glamour was added to the automaker's image when James Dean appeared onscreen in a Mercury in the film Rebel Without a Cause.

The 1960s saw the introduction of Mercury's Comet and Meteor vehicles. The Comet featured diminutive dimensions and luxury accoutrements, while the Meteor was a midsize family car that followed the trend toward more reasonably sized cars. Racetrack wins boosted awareness of the Comet and helped the model make a big splash in terms of sales. By the end of the decade, the iconic Mercury Cougar, a variation of the Mustang, had been rolled out, its Eliminator version taking its place in the pantheon of legendary early muscle cars.

Hit hard by that decade's oil crisis, consumers during the 1970s were hungry for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Mercury responded with a new, smaller Comet and the Bobcat, the former a fancier version of the Ford Maverick, the latter a fancier version of the Ford Pinto. The brand's sales grew during a decade that was filled with turbulence and uncertainty for many competing marques. Mercury further expanded its lineup in the '80s, this time including the small, Ford Escort-based Lynx. Mercury enjoyed success with the 1986 launch of the Sable, a fraternal twin to the Ford Taurus whose sleek, aerodynamic lines and futuristic "light bar" front end styling set it apart from the Ford.

Mercury's sales hit an all-time high during the 1990s that would never again be matched. Minivans and SUVs were a big reason for that as Mercury introduced its Villager minivan and Mountaineer SUV. Late that decade it introduced a new Cougar, which differed from its predecessors by being a front-drive sport compact that also holds the distinction of being the last Mercury that wasn't a rebadged Ford.

The years following the new millennium were challenging for the brand, as changing consumer tastes and a lack of differentiation between Mercury and Ford vehicles hurt sales. Pundits often proclaimed the end of Mercury was near, but Ford kept stating it would keep Mercury around despite offering no hope for any unique future vehicles from the brand. Finally in 2010, Ford pulled the plug on Mercury, putting an end to more than 70 years of car-making heritage.

User Reviews:

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  This car was a LEMON!!! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Kevin Chiu - December 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2000 Cougar V6 Sport brand new in January of 2001. After 6 months of driving, I had over 30 pages in work orders. Everything in this car was wrong. Ford spent more money fixing this lemon then I paid for it. To top thing off, Ford Customer Care would not help me. Avoid this lemon!!!

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  Replaced Transmission at 14,700 miles - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By am - December 27 - 10:00 am

  Overall, this car wasnt bad, until 12,000 miles. Then the transmission problems started. First, a dealership told me that I had plenty of warranty left to figure it out. A month later, dealership couldnt replicate the problem, but replaced a tran sensor. Now, the dealership replaced the transmission with a remanufactured, without telling me first. Still drives questionably, but it looks like Im stuck with it. The service dept, my salesman, and Fords Customer Relations act like I should be thrilled that I have a so-called new transmission.

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  Mercurys version of the 94-6 chevy impal - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By john chmielowiec - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Mercury wanted something good to boast it sales. They knew only the oldies were buying this car. As of 2000 Mercury was going to discontiue productions of the Grand Marquis in 2003 until someone came out with this idea of the chevy version of the impala ss. Ford knew they could never compete with the Impala ss in the mid 90s. Look at the design of the engine compartment, they could never fix anything larger than a 4.6 in the engine compartment. Ford needs to design the whole car. They need to build a real hot rod. 350 motor in the chevy is the most reliable v-8 push rod engine in the world today. Remember ford does not build quality vehicles today.

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  Warranty - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By Michael - October 20 - 2:46 pm

  Be aware that the Ford warranty states that if your vehicle must be kept overnight, they owe you NOTHING. No loaner, no rental, no reimbursement. NOTHING. My eight month old Mariner began losing transmission fluid at 8800 miles. I took in in to the dealer and a WEEK later they tell me that they are waiting for a replacement axle. This is a recurring problem for the Ford and Merc Escape/Mariner which is leading to a shortage of parts. Service Manager told me he has two vehicles waiting for that axle. This is the last Ford product for me.

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  Youve got to be kidding! - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Disappointed - October 15 - 6:30 am

  I recently acquired a 2008 Mariner with 25K miles. I could not imagine a more uncomfortable and noisy vehicle. The vehicle is extremely loud as the variable drive whines and the engine roars when engaged. The car in general is just loud. This car is loaded with leather, NAV, etc and it is extremely uncomfortable. I have a 25 mile one-way commute and I can not get to my destination fast enough. The only good comment I can provide is that the gas mileage is great as I am averaging 29+ consistently. Test drive and compare to other vehicles in this category thoroughly before you decide (btw, this is the brother to the Ford Escape and I would expect a similar experience)

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  Premier Mountaineer - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Bud - August 4 - 12:36 am

  There has been an inherent problem with the drive train in this vehicle. Also, the vehicle gets terrible gas mileage, nothing near what was posted on the sticker. It has good power with the V8 engine and the ride is more like a car than a truck.

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  Would not suggest this car to anyone - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By cat - July 4 - 9:46 pm

  alternator has gone 4 times in the year and a half...need a new high pressure power steering hose at 6ok miles new rack n pinion new tie end rods ect.

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  Problems and More Problems - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Justcathy - July 2 - 4:23 pm

  After two years I am really ready to get rid of this car. The transmission went out at only 57,000 miles last year - now I am told I need a valve job! I am lucky to get 17 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. Doesnt handle on highway well and has passes very poorly. It is bulky and sluggish. Have owned four Taurus and loved them all - but this beast is possessed! Never, ever again. We are trading for a Toyota!

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  Read this before you buy! - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By BrianDY - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Horrible customer service. My Mountaineer was taken in the very next day after buying because the A/C didnt turn on. The Auto repair shop at the dealership had my car for 2 weeks. They didnt even give me a rental, I had to buy my own. I cant believe how much hassle Ive gone through, its utterly ridiculous.

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  Never buying american car again - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Donald Steiner - May 18 - 8:53 pm

  I had a 3 year lease on 98 mountaineer. Absolutely loved the way it drove.I would frequently drive between Canton,Ohio and San Jose. I was very sad to part with it. Looked at acura mdx,jeep grand cherokee and lexus rx300. Nothing blew me away more than the redesigned mountaineer. My company gave me a corporate discount towards any ford motor vehicle. This made the mountaineer an even more ideal choice. I now feel ashamed that i leased it. At 10000 miles the cheap vinyl on the seats started to wear out as if it had 50,000 miles. At 15,000 miles i started having computer glitches. the dealer attempted to fix it 8 times before the lease was up. It never did get the problem fixed. I am now an audi bigot.