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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  Premier V6 AWD - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By Marilyn - February 19 - 11:23 pm

  I was going to purchase a 2008 and learned that SYNC was available for 2009 along with a 6-speed transmission. I have previously test driven a 2008 and my 2009 is so much smoother and quieter. The steering is also much better. I have all the bells and whistles(moon roof, heated seats, dual air, navigation system, SYNC) and love my Mariner.

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  fun suv !!! - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By MrG - February 18 - 2:00 am

  its a fun car to drive and own, and is very practical, and reliable. handles great, and you feel very safe inside of it !!!

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  my kind of car - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By louis olguin - February 18 - 2:00 am

  The very first time I drove the Marauder was in february,2003, when it first came to market. I test drove it, and took it to almost 120 within 20 seconds of getting in the vehicle. the salesperson and I are both former Marines. As I was reaching the speed of at least 95mph., he said, Lou, you havent hit that last gear yet, hit it, and I did. Two months later, I bought one. Grrrreat move.

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  My 2nd Grand Marquis - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Paul - February 16 - 3:10 am

  This is my second Grand Marquis. Moving up to the LS was definitely a good choice. With the rebates available at the time the extra features were worth it. This car is extremely comfortable and easy to drive. Having had both GS and an LS, I say there is something different about the seats, the leather seems more supportive and not as "squishy" as the cloth when driving. I would like to move up to the Town Car next time, if they still make them. The gas mileage for my 70%city 30%interstate, yields me about 20 mpg, not bad at all for stop and go. On a long road trip Ive experienced 26 mpg. If you liked the big sedans when you were a kid get one of these before theyre gone.

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  Suprised! - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Dan G. - February 15 - 5:06 am

  Got a good deal on a Limited. 1st car in 20 yrs. Very pleased with comfort, quality and economy. Avg. 22+ and over 28 mpg on long trips. Leather seats need to wrap around more to hold you while cornering. Needs more storage in cabin. Has a tendency to react to ruts in the road. My needs changed after 20 years in F250s & 350s. I was looking for normal more comfortable transportation. Since I truly had no clue what I wanted I was overwhelmed with choices. Nothing really excited me so I figured keep it simple. This car meet all my needs without being gaudy or looking like a jelly bean. In retrospect its more car than I ever imagined for under 25K!

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  Overall, a great car. - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Oneandonlywayne - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Since their release in 1998, Ive lusted for a Mercury Cougar. I finally got my chance when I traded in my Grand Marquis in January of 2002. This car is amazing. It still turns heads as I go down the road. The car seems to be moving, even when its parked. Interior styling is done fantastically, although some plastics have a cheap feel to them.

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  Best Ride Over and Over and Over - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By J & B - February 14 - 3:50 pm

  The best ride for a lot less money amoung full size vehicles. This is our fourth Grand Marquis and weve gotten up to 30 MPG on trips consistantly. Had only minor problems with any of them. Is a very dependable vehicle and the power pedals really help with our height differences.

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  Who Says America cant build a great car - 2009 Mercury Milan
  By George - February 14 - 7:33 am

  This car is superior to my friends Camaries and Accords (all of which have had to go back to the dealer for some issues) - hands down. I dont understand the comments about power and sub-par engines. This car hums along beautifully and I get better fuel economy then the sticker states!! Half the time I cant even tell the engine is running! To summarize - Dont spend more then you have to on a NAME - buy a great car at a great price!!

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  Love my Car - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Drc Pepperville - February 10 - 8:36 pm

  I test drove my car with 8 miles. Today I have 241,432+. No joke! It is still going strong. I totally believe in the reliability of my car. I have had very few problems with it. My A/C has always worked, Headlights have never stopped. I replaced the clutch, water pump, timing belt, the usual wear and tear parts. It has been an awesome car from day one and I dont plan on trading it any time soon. Many memories! I get better gas mileage than anyone I work with! Love it,love it, love it! Cant say enough good.

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  More than I expected - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Ken - February 9 - 12:06 pm

  On some trips, I and my passengers have all raved about the comfort. The lumbar cushion in the front seats have given wonderful support. I have the optional handling package which gives and extremely stable and smooth ride. I also ordered the laminated security side glass which not only offers protection, but also adds sound insulation from road noise. Its nice and quiet. The optional Audiophile Sound System is one of the best sounding radios Ive ever heard. I love being able to adjust the sound and temperature using the controls on the wood and leather steering wheel. This is a wonderful car.