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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  Best looking Explorer - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Tom76 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I recently drove a 03 Mountaineer for a distance of about 4000 Miles through the Southwest on a trip to the U.S. I liked this car very much, especially compared to other SUVs I drove before, incl. Expedition Eddie Bauer, GMC Jimmy and Montero Sport. While not as roomy as the Expedition, it offers superior handling capabilities and the same 3rd row flexibility. Interior materials are nice compared to other US build vehicles. Vehicle was very well equipped, leather seats are more comfortable than those in the Explorer XLT. Automatic climate control is a nice feature. Steering feel is good for a SUV, but could provide somewhat more feedback.

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  Great Car - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By William S - January 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my first actual newer car. It is a great car and i love the interior. Its very cozey in side and great on long rides for vacations. Im a person who likes to add accesories to a car and since ive been doing so the sable really has looked nice, and i get many complimants for it. I recommend it.

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  My Mystique - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By JKelly - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I love my mystique. We bought it new, it has about 96,000 miles on it, and we have had no majorproblems with it

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  Grand Marquis - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Dwight Squires - January 2 - 10:00 am

  my third Crown Vic. Very reliable. Great highway car. Very durable. I use it for business, often drive 500 miles in a day.

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  Gotta Love It! - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Sean Males - January 1 - 6:50 pm

  I like my car. I enjoy having room to carpool or take my friends on rides. Id by another sable, Id just get more features!