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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  bad Cat! - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By BAD CAT! - March 19 - 3:00 am

  This has to be the worst car I have ever purchased. I have only had it for 10 months. It is parked now with a $2000 transmission bill! It has cut off in the middle of the expressway!. Trunk leaks, engine lights comes on, open door light stays on. CD player jams, terrible on tires/alighnment, "rattles" in the rear, and the list goes on. Would rather ride a bicycle! Would never own another one unless someone gave it to me, then Id still be leary!

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  The usual transmission problems - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Suzi - March 18 - 3:13 am

  I see the 06 has tranmission problems, they started long before that, luckily I bought an extended warranty because the Mountaineer was in the shop every 3 months for 3 years. It got to the point where the mechanics would groan when they saw me walk in the door. If a manufacturer knows there is a long standing existing problem, they should fix it under warranty and not make the customer fight constantly. Dont plan to make my next vehicle a ford/mercury, too bad really because I come from a long line of ford dealers.

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  Love this small SUV - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By NewMercuryowner - March 17 - 9:16 am

  I traded in my huge Yukon for this Mariner. The gas prices were killing us, so we did our research. I love how much easier this is to drive! My case is different though, after paying one note on it, got rear ended and was nearly totaled.

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  Great mid-size suv - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By dr - March 17 - 5:20 am

  Bought this SUV brand new. Ride is very good. Handles well. I live on west side of Michigan where we get a ton of lake-effect snow. The AWD is great in winter. Only couple of small negatives: road noise-possibly due to the stock Continental tires and I wish gas mileage was a little better.

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  Love my Mountaineer - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Slick Rick - March 16 - 12:50 pm

  I bought my 97 mercury mountaineer 7 mo. ago. I really enjoy driving it and it handles awsome in the snow. The only problem I have had is the transmission, which was fairly easy to replace. It definetly has enough power to get out of its own way with the V8. I would suggest this vehicle to anyone.

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  enjoyable ride - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By ellie - March 15 - 9:53 pm

  After my children grew up and after driving several vans for 22 years, I finally have a car that I can call my own. I enjoy the features, the controls on the steering wheel, automatic/dual heating/cooling system, the 6 CD changer, etc. So far the mileage in town has been 23+, much better than my vans. The ride and handling is comfortable and smooth. I especially picked this car because of its volvo design and engineering, especially the safety features and elevated seating. I just wish it had side curtain/side impact airbags as a standard feature. I think american automakers are missing the boat, not including these features.

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  My second Villager - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By Blondie 2003 - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This 2002 Sport is my second Villager. I just picked it up yesterday. My 94 Villager LS had 123,000 miles on it at trade in and was a wonderfully reliable and comfortable vehicle.So far I am very pleased with the looks, design and comfort of my new Villager.

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  Best SUV Ever Driver - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By simp - March 15 - 2:00 am

  The style is prestigous and properous looking - I do not have money but this vehicle makes me feel like do. Peolpe stop and stare at my Mountaineer. It gets good gas mileage, the DVD player makes my kids and friends feel like theyre at the movies. The AWD hugs the road and provided safety in the recent ice storm. There has been no mechanical problems with this vehicle. Forget the expensive imports, we have a great value in the Mountaineer.

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  Better Than Cadillac - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By Jim Casterton - March 14 - 1:53 pm

  My last car was a very nice Cadillac STS, but I honestly like the Sable a lot better. I have owned my 08 Sable for just over a year and have 41,000 miles. Ive had no trouble whatsoever. It has a much roomier interior than my Cadillac. The platform seems higher than most cars so its easier to get into and out of and visibility is great while driving. The hands free phone through Synch is great. I think its a better car than the Cadillac -- at about half the price. I highly recommend it!

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  Love it - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By my first - March 12 - 12:06 pm

  had it almost a year. love it so far. no complaint other than gas guzler. but hay its a SUV! what do you expect 50 miles a gallon