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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  Last Cougar? - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By KYCoug - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Really "fun" car to drive, and the price was right ... dont know why it didnt sell better.

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  Great Car - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Tony - February 12 - 9:20 pm

  I have owned this car for 7 years. The only thing Ive done is change tires and a battery. Car drives like a sports car and rides like a Lincoln. Great handling in mountain curves.

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  My 2007 Mercury Mariner - 2007 Mercury Mariner
  By Bradley - February 12 - 11:16 am

  Have had this car for over a year and am still happy with it. I enjoy the driving, even with a 4cyl it has enough pep for me. Average about 24mpg (better then a 6cyl). Great interior room, have been able to carry just about everything from my mountain bike to a big screen TV. Like the exterior design better then the 2008 model. The interior looks great, not as many features as the 08. Overall a great car!!

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  Wow... What a great value and fun car - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By carricrf - February 10 - 1:18 pm

  Was searching for a good value in a used Hybrid car. Was concerned about performance, price and reliability. Did my research on this car and was very impressed with performance, handling, features and style. I would highly recommend and would suggest that if interested, you take one for a drive and see what I mean. I have a Fusion that I like as well, but this really has been a great choice! Performs like a powerful 6 cyl, but gets 30+ MPG combined milage (my real experience). Comfortable and gets positive comments from my family and friends like it was a New Car!

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  Best Buy / Worst Sell - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By Carguy - February 10 - 3:06 am

  I have had my Sable LS for about 9 months. Traded a 2003 Aviator for better gas mileage. This car is the most comfortable car I have owned including the Aviator and 2003 Mercedes C-320. The seats have plenty room, a/c works extremely well even in New Orleans summer climate, mach sound system is very adequate. Performance with Duratec V-6 is very responsive. Gas mileage could be better, however, I am sure part of that goes along with different driving habits. Trunk space is very good. Style is good but lacks eye catching appeal, looks like many other mid size sedans. For the money you cant get a better car, however, if you want to sell it you will take a beating as resale is poor.

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  04 Grand Marquis - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Mojave2k - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Fords best kept secret, the Grand Marquis. Ford did an upgrade of the steering and suspension in 2003 adding variable rack and pinion steering and a new "boxed" frame, they already have a "watts link" rear suspension. They come with big 4 wheel duel piston anti lock discs, and "traction control". And 225/60/16 Michelins for tires. Ford does not advertise these cars much, but if you look, what you will find is that they share many main components with the new F-150 truck. The 4.6 V8 engine, the same 4-speed auto transmission, and the same solid axle rear end. They are built like a truck and drive like a Jaguar and sold at a Camry price.

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  I love this car - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By Clare - February 7 - 3:30 pm

  I traded in my 2000 Nissan Maxima for the Milan. I have had the car for a little over a week and am really impressed with the quality and tight feel. It is quiet and very comfortable. It runs smoothly and I am looking forward to the winter snows to feel the improved control with AWD.In a few years,I plan on handing this car over to my teenage son who loves to snowboard. I feel comfortable that I will be giving him a safe car.

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  Big disappointment - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By bill - February 6 - 10:40 am

  Its like driving a basketball, mileage isnt what it supposed to get and a typical Ford with brakes. I cant wait to give it back.

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  Best Bang for Your Buck - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By yv - February 4 - 10:46 pm

  Have owned this car for 3yrs bought it used with 39K has 75k miles now and it has just been super! No mechanical problems at all. Rides excellent handles excellent. Had it recently in snow and ice with no problems. Im looking to purchase a newer Grand Marquis within the next year. Gas mileage is 27hwy and 19 city. City could be better but compared to the size and room its a bargain. SUV with same seating area get much less. I love the RWD it is so stable no hydro plaining on rainy roads. I hope Ford Motor doesnt quit making this excellent car!

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  love my wheels - 1997 Mercury Cougar
  By bigdog99 - February 4 - 5:20 pm

  great car, fairly fast even with the v-6 handles great no problems. Im a big guy and the car seats me very comfortably