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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  So-so car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Zach - July 11 - 9:30 pm

  This was a very nice car. The first day we bought it off the lot we got ours brand new and havent had too many problems with it. Only a few things here and there. Car has a sleek design and it is fun to show off and just go for a cruise. The gas mileage is a little low but better than some of the new cars today. It was a great buy and soon it will be my sons car!

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  Magnificent Mid-size - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By falsesmall - July 10 - 4:26 pm

  After 100,000 miles this car is a dream. The premium model is chock full of options that leave you wanting nothing. This a "true" mid-size sedan that looks and rides great. Interior design is conservative yet attractive. Controls are logically laid out. Excellent climate control. Handling is precise enough..what you would expect in a car of this size and weight. I love the solid feel and feel quite safe with the side airbags and ABS. Duratec six cylinder is powerful and, with the 4 speed automatic/overdrive, smooth as silk. Frankly the best engine/trans marriage I think I ever owned, new or used. Luxury and power at a great pre-owned price tag. This is an American car done right.

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  Comfort without much power.... - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By max - July 7 - 6:00 am

  Just Bought used with 30k on it. Love the leather and look. However the engine is bit gutless...I am going to add KN filter to see if that helps. Otherwise can was a steal and look and drive great.

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  Reliable family car - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By GS Leader - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive loved having this car for our family. It has travelled on many vacations, Girl Scout camping trips, carpooling the kids, etc. It drives like a car but has the room of a van. At 137000 miles, weve had a few repairs, but that is expected with high miles -- nothing extraordinary. Rattle that developed in passenger side middle window was solved with a little spray lubricant on hinge.

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  Marquis GS Limited - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Gary L. Carey - July 4 - 2:36 pm

  The GS Limited gives a great ride and is a very comfortable car to drive. In the north where we live, the traction control is a very important feature in rainy conditions. We have yet to drive in snowy conditions.The seating is very comfortable and the electric lumbar is fantastic as the wife and I have different requirements. The mpg rating is not very good but we have very few miles as yet so we expect this to improve. The size does create some problems parking, but can be overcome. The steering is excellant and has fast responce. Excelleration is good and the braking is excellant. Interior cabin design is easy to adjust to and is very roomy & comfortable. Trunk size is a plus.

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  Great car! - 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Kevin - July 4 - 11:10 am

  Bought this car as an inexpensive commuter and have been plesantly surprised. I bought it one year ago with 80,000 miles on it. I have put 21,000 miles on it in one year. Had to replace the starter, fuel filter, and replaced the rear brake pads and rotors. I enjoy driving this car because its very comfy, quiet, and I think its good on gas considering it has a V-8. I recently returned from a long road trip (1500 miles round trip) and I got 26-28 mpg through the Kentucky/West Virginia mountains. Driving around town and on the highway I average 21 mpg. Currently my "Air bag" light is on but Im not going to worry about it.

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  twice the stuff for 1/2 the price - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By Gweller - July 1 - 3:23 am

  Had this van for 1 year. Bought used w 12k on it. Really shopped around. The good news is they depreciate from new like lead. 35k new paid around 17k So theyre a bargain used. Ive had one repair, heated seat stopped working. Wouldnt have had this problem w others models because at this price they wouldnt have had the option on them. Great bang ( leather, power sliding doors, dvd, front/rear parking sensors, stability control) for the same buck that will get you a base used Toyota or Honda.

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  Outstanding van - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By Sam Master - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This is simple the best well thought out ideal by a manufactor, in the mini van class. We drove the Quest, Sienna and Town and Country. But the Monterey is a wonderful vehicle. And i think now Mercury owns the standard in mini vans..

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  A great value vehicle - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By keith - June 24 - 11:10 pm

  This is your dads car but it is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. This thing runs, and runs, and runs. I have the sport and handling package so it haas some pep to move on the highway.

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  great $$$ value - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By fstrfvo - June 24 - 6:46 am

  A little old lady traded this car in after 5 years and only 10,027 miles. At $9,100 I could not pass up the deal. Ive owned 2 Tauruses before, A 96 that had 90,000 miles when it got run over by a semi, no one hurt. Wife wanted another so we bought a 2000 se. That car now has 95,000 miles and not a problem. So when I saw this car for sale it was a no brainer. Love the 24 valve engine, rides like a lincoln. Great highway cruiser 100 mph plus on the way to Vegas from Los Angeles with no problems. My only complaint is the crappy sound system that came with the car. I guess the mach system is better.