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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  Update after 3 yrs of use - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Tip of Texcas - March 28 - 1:36 pm

  I am updating my review from 3 yrs ago. The car is running great, it is still extremely comfortable but the paint is peeling off everywhere; very disappointing. It has already been repaired under warranty once and I will have to take it back to the dealer again for the same reason. Its really sad; such a beautiful car with such lousy workmanship. I hate to admit: I was wrong praising it.

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  Almost perfect, but Ford went backwards - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By RichardG - March 26 - 9:46 pm

  I switched from a 1993 Grand Marquis to a 1999. Quiet a step backwards. Not only is the gas mileage "worse" (EPA rating and in real world), many little items dont make sense. The AutoLamp feature is nervous, comes on in shady places already. The rear defrost button is invisible while steering, located on the left. No cupholders in the rear. Cupholders in the front block climate control. The ride is almost perfect. Safe, reliable and not too expensive to maintain. Overall, a good vehicle.

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  Nice car - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By Ski doo - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I like the marauder. I would like to see mercury come out with a marauder convirtable. I have seen it in auto shows online and i think it rocks!! i would love to drive that. car. The marauder itself i think is a good, fun acr to drive with plenty of room for kids or trips. I think that if u like the car and jsut don;t want to commit to it , i would say do it.

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  the last one of 6 - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By bernie moon - March 25 - 4:16 am

  Ford has continued to cheapen up what used to be a great car. Top of the line LS model with load leveling and electronic-digital dash still suffers from seats with less support than a 95 LS I traded to get it. Wind noise is greater since Ford went to a thinner glass all around in 97. The Load leveling air pump used to be quiet as it was located under the trunk but is in the engine compartment now and it is incredibly noisy.I enjoy the illusion of feeling safer in a large car but I have been taken advantage of by Ford for the last time.Even though side air bags have been available for years,the Grand Marquis whose basic platform hasnt changed in over 12 years, still doesnt have them.

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  Smooth ride with peppy engine - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By ME - March 16 - 10:00 am

  We bought the Monterey new and still have it! Replaced AC @ 50K. Replaced brakes @ 85K and now have 86K. Very smooth ride, good acceleration in traffic and extremely comfy on the road trips. Lots of room for people and cargo. Overall, very very pleased. Esp like the peppy engine in metro traffic. Easy to see out of and feel safe. Good sound! Handles well. Never broken down. Reliable.

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  So far so good - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By GBRachel - March 15 - 5:43 am

  I have owned a 2001 Sable for over seven months now and have been pleased. The build quality is good with no obvious flaws but not as refined as more expensive cars. The engine is powerful and responsive but hampered by a transmission that cant seem to decide when it wants to shift under certain conditions. Although rental companies have large quantities of Sables on their lots, no one has ever asked me if my car was in the shop.

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By T Barber - March 13 - 8:13 am

  Car is comfy, but seats need more support. Car runs really well for the size of car & engine. Transmission seems to always be "in the zone" with very good 1st gear power and ready willingness to downshift to appropriate gear when passing. Mileage is very good at 27-28 hwy, 16-17 around town. The tach is a good addition. Car steers and handles very well for being over 2 tons.

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  My toy - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Gara - March 5 - 10:00 am

  Have this car for over 2 yrs. Bought it with 20k now has 50k. Its fully loaded V6 standard. Only one problem so far(replaced control arm). Reliability exceeded my expectations. Love the car and its performance and handling. Cant find better used V6 4 dr sedan with stick shift for the money (Audi, BMW or VW cost at least twice as much). Downside, dashboard fake wood is too cheap, worn leather on the steering wheel, fake handbrake boot leather and the way the engine stalls at revs when shifting. Interesting enough, in Europe Ford Mondeo(same as Contour/Mystique) was always rated way ahead of Accords and Camrys in any way.

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  Is that a Jag your drving? - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By coyotefreek - March 1 - 10:00 am

  Well dispite no one ever knowing what a Mercury Cougar is, they always seem to love it once they see it. The design is great, the interior confortable. The storage with this hatch is amazing, just last week I took home a 7 foot long storage unit, and had the hatch shut. The car is a Ford so it does suffer from lots of creeks and rattles, though reliablilty has so far been good. Power is supprizingly sporty despite the slow 0- 60 time. I think its very fun to drive, main complaints being a lousy auto tranny and a large amount of body roll with spirited cornering. I highly suggest this car to those who are looking.

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  Donna Mercury Sable Poor - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By DBeegle - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand new with 3 miles on it off the dealers showroom floor. I have owned it since dec 2003. In that time it has been in the shop to be fixed 7 times . 3 times for electraical and computer problems. 2 times for computer problems. 1 time for starter problems now acting up again. Dont buy this car if you dont want a lemon. Donna beegle