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:

• 

  I LOVE THIS TRUCK - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By metheman - December 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck after going to look at the Mountaineer due to all the commercials there have been lately. Very happy so far with the purchase. Outside of a smallish gas tank and hungry V6. Beutiful looking truck, well put together. this thing gets a lot of attention because there are not many out there. GO BUY ONE if you are thinking of an mid size SUV I drove them all and this is the beat of everything all in one

• 

  Hunk of Junk - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By lalala - December 20 - 3:56 pm

  After 10 years, the car still looks great, but thats just about all I can say. I bought my car new in 1998, and 2 days after I bought it it wouldnt start. This was just the beginning of my problems. The engine light keeps coming on, no matter how much I get the car repaired. The alternator has gone out 3 times, once leaving me stranded on the freeway at 2am in a storm. I am so constricted because with 86000, this car should still have life, but I cant even drive 20 minutes on the freeway without something happening. Oh yeah, and did I mention the sunroof? Dont even get me started.

• 

  What Happened? - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By oh so sad... - December 15 - 10:23 am

  I love my 2001 Cougar, shes beautiful! But please, be careful. Mine only had 70k miles on it, I took it for a 500 mile trip to Canada, and the engine blew up on the way home. Absolutely no warning signs, my warning lamps and gauges didnt show anything. The engine started making a knocking noise, we pulled over and the oil and belts were smoking, and the radiator fluid had boiled out. It was towed, and I was told I needed a new engine. I have found more and more people with the same problem. Due to an engine defect, the head gaskets leak, and allow water into the oil. A bearing in my engine literally disintegrated because of the heat and friction this condition caused.

• 

  My love of mercurys - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Ron Barnard - December 15 - 9:26 am

  This is one of two Mercury LS models I have owned loaded models (ls) They are excellent driving cars and far surpass other models newer and the comfort and safety far out weighs the fuel used.and its cost.

• 

  dont buy it! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By daveyzstar - December 14 - 10:00 am

  this car is so much fun to drive, when you can drive it. two weeks after i bought it used with only 27,000 miles, i had to replace the transmission. shortly after that the brake pads, and most recenly the alternator. i also had to put in a new stereo because the cd player didnt work. the doors leak, vents pop up, and the remote doesnt work.

• 

  NICE RIIIDE OVER ALL - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By SPEEEDY - December 14 - 10:00 am

  I drive my cousins 1999 cougar and have to say it is just awsome. I get attraction all the time. Exterior is just very neat. Interior is also very nice...futuristic lookin....Comfort wise it is very nice...specially driver side..just one problem...seat doesnt move froward or backward....other wise its very comfy....Performance wise it is nice....just doesnt pick up good at the begining but after 30 or 40 it flies....specially on highways...from 60 to 90 no problem...and ride is mad smooth...you cant even tell that ur goin 80 or above....bracking is the most powerfull i have ever seen....I would very highly recommend this vehicle...

• 

  2008 Sable AWD Premier Merlot/loaded - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By MADE IN U.S.A. - December 11 - 7:16 pm

  Replaced a 98 Taurus SE worlds better after ten years. Only problem is some drips in the paint did not notice until first wash will see what Ford is going to do. Decent ride and handling for a car this size, pretty darn comfortable. For the money and 0% interest could not beat it. If you are looking do your a favor and check this car out. Plenty of room AWD and safe.

• 

  My 2006 Grand Marquis LS - I Love It!! - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Carl S. - December 8 - 10:53 am

  Love the ride of my new 06 Merc Grand Marquis LS. Handled well on trip from Phx to Las Vegas after I drove 500+ local miles first. Did not realize I was doing 98 mph on the way up. The ride was flawless and handled the road and curves very well. The turning radius is excellent for such a large car and like the other comments fuel consumption is better than stated. I found it to be the best value for the large car market. Luxury w/o the price tag. People think this is your Dads / Granddads type car, but once they get into it they love it!! Big and roomy.

• 

  2003 Mercury Marauder excellent rating - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Nuggy - December 8 - 12:06 am

  Excellent car overall from powerful engine performance to luxurious features. Terrific handling capability. Thanks to the rear air suspensions. Best value for the money. Cool looking and true American muscle sedan. Thanks Mercury and Ford.

• 

  !Highway Trip Car! - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Fordy - December 6 - 9:03 pm

  I bought it to make highway trips, and that is what it excels at. I would not buy this for cruising around town. This car is built to do speed, and to have a sure foot on the highway, and it does with the right tires, not Michelin. It has aggressive gearing I like to get acceleration, and to be able to do 140 MPH. The ride is great and quiet on the highway, not the best, but up there. This is best bought as a Used vehicle since you get the best deal for the value. I only recommend the Ultimate edition, because this car is not worth the money without all the goodies. Plenty of room width-wise, no bumping elbows. Big trunk for all you luggage.