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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  Twice the pleasure - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Hillary - October 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my second mountaineer and I do tend to agree with most that my 2002 was better built, the engine was more powerful (v8) yet the fuel economy was good for such a big suv. With that said, I also love my 2007. I have done nothing but oil changes (66,000) and never had any kind of work on it. I have five kids of my own and also use it for work transporting kids and the interior (leather) cleans easily. No problems with any plastic parts inside its actually pretty solid.

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  2005 Mercury Montego Review - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By James T. - October 12 - 9:40 pm

  I enjoy my 2005 Montego. The vehicle is very roomy and storage space is more than adequate. Gas mileage is good, the ride is firm yet comfortable and responsive, and construction quality is above average. Two problems encountered to date have been one failure to start immediately which self-corrected and has not been experienced since it occurred and acceleration from a "dead" stop is, in my opinion, below average. Also, the recall concerning the straps holding the gas tank was disturbing but was handled quickly and professionally. Overall, I rate the vehicle above- average and would consider buying another.

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  Lovin My Mariner! - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By Nick - October 11 - 1:16 am

  Bought 4 months ago with 38K miles, just clicked over to 50K today! Took two trips to South Carolina (about 1600 miles roundtrip) and averaged 23 MPG with cruise set between 70-80mph. Got rid of the JUNK stock Continentals and bought All-Terrain tires with a high treadwear rating. Difference between these and the Continentals is night and day! Love the interior (black and creme tu-tone) and get compliments on it all the time. Would buy again for sure. Radio is fantastic,and the keypad entry is great for those times when you dont want to carry your keys with you! Only major complaint is the lack of available power after 55 MPH and not being able to get more than 275-280 miles/tank.

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  99 sable ls - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By tazffemtvb - October 10 - 2:00 am

  this car is AWESOME! My wife and I just bought it. I love the peppy dohc v-6. The only problem that we have found is that the flip over cup holder interferes with use of the ashtray, and the trunk is massive, if you can get anything in it due to the small opening. The leather interior is the most comfortable ive ever sat on. I drive limos for a living and this car feels more luxurious. Overall we love it!

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  Black Cat - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Arion - October 9 - 10:00 am

  The cougar is a nice looking car. It handles and rides well, but is underpowered, and overmatched by little japanese 4-cylinders. Of all Sport coupes, this is probably the nicest and more of a nice sporty car to cruise in.

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  First Annual Review - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Bobm128 - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I liked my Cougar V6, when I first bought it. My Cougar now however, is developing rattles, has had pieces of weather-proofing trim come off, the rear brakes are groaning, 3 transmission bolts came loose, & the CD player starts skipping after ~3 hours of continuous play. I do drive my Cougar with verve, but I dont abuse my car. I maintain it properly, the way a pre-midlife crisis car should be. Its my impression however, that my car was not built as well as I thought and that its starting to fall apart. After reading Consumer Reports review of the Cougar this year where Cougar owners rated is as much worse than average for reliability, I am dreading the worst.

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  Try it ... Youll like it!!!!! - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By rds toy - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my 7th Ford product, and by far the best. Comfort, economy, powerful 24 valve V-6 crisp handling. The only drawback the Continental original equipment tires are junk. Terrible wet traction, too much road noise too firm ride. Change to Michelin like driving a different car.

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  Still a "Head Turner" - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By DBLD - October 6 - 4:50 am

  Black with factory chrome wheels&tinted windows. Still get lots of comments on the looks of this car.I now have 110,000 mi. on my Sable and the 24v motor still runs like new! Only problems have been with rear windows (bad switches)and tie-rod ends...otherwise flawless!

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  2002 Mercury Sable - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By joe765 - October 5 - 3:43 pm

  Nice family car. Rides comfortably. This car is nice size. 2003 Taurus is too big. We had one. Uses a lot of gasoline for a 3.0 liter.

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  Really Nice Car - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jbushnell515 - October 4 - 10:40 am

  I bought this car with 73,500 miles on it and I would have to say, it runs really good. I did some preventative maintence on it when I first got it and after that, the car runs like a dream. I get about 23 mpg average just running around town. I would have to say that that is extremely well for a V8 engine.