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 Car Ive Ever Owned! - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By RevRev - May 25 - 5:46 am

  After nearly one year, I dont hesitate claiming that the Milan is the best car Ive ever owned. My wife, who loves her minivan, prefers to take my Milan whenever she gets a chance because of how fun it is to drive. Ive driven a lot of cars, and the Milan looks, feels, and most importantly drives like a lot more expensive car. Kudos to the engineers at Ford/Mazda for developing a winner here!

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  A long look a Quality - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By cuesew - May 24 - 10:00 am

  In 1995 I bought a brand new Towncar.... It had everything... Move over Towncar there is a new kid in town... I just bought a Grand marquise 1999 LS ... All I can say is wow... It has more feature than the towncar had and I bought the car with 11000 miles on it... It still smells new...... I have been searching for this car and now I have it.. Very happy

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  really grand - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By shirl - May 15 - 3:33 pm

  This car has been a dream. 3 round trips from AZ to CO by myself were in total comfort. Mechanically there have been no problems. Regular maint. is all that has been necessary.

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  great car - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By grfranchino - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Great Handlin g

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  Fun & Secure - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By Jeanne Compagnone - May 13 - 10:33 am

  I really feel secure in the SUV. Its a fun car to drive and extremely easy to handle. Makes great turns, seems to hug the road. Added heated seats and rear-sensor monitor.

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  Outstanding - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By rpb - May 12 - 2:00 am

  After four months and 6,000 miles - the Merc. Mountie is the best vehicle we have ever owned. Quality is perfect. The ride w/ new suspension blows away the older version by providing maximum stability and comfort. A must buy in the SUV $30,000 - 35,000 market.

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  I call it my Montego Mercedes by Shawn - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Shawn - April 30 - 1:13 am

  I normally dont buy new cars, but this one had every feature I wanted. I want to say something about a previous review. There are two electrical outlets in the front (not one). One is in the typical place and the other one is somewhat hidden in the front center console, apparently for charging a cell phone. This is my first Mercury and I couldnt be happier.

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  5th one, best yet - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By nvbanker - April 26 - 6:56 am

  I have owned a 94 Explorer, 97 Mountaineer, 98 Mountaineer, 02 Mountaineer, and now an 04 Mountaineer, AWD Premier. Each has been better than the last, although the 94 is still running, and we sold it with 140,000 miles on it. Same transmission, engine, A/C still worked. 4WD had quit at about 110,000, and I never fixed it. The independent rear suspension offered since 02 is class leading, and only now are some of the other manufactures offering it. It improves handling dramatically, and allows for the 3rd seat to actually be functional and comfortable for an adult. The rear air, coming through the ceiling is extraordinary as well. Love the V-8 power. I still think its the best value.

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  Good car - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Musicman - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car when it was a year and half old. It gets great gas mileage, looks good, handles well and is fun to drive. Good reliability too!

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  If you have sophisticated taste... - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By MARTIN SANCHEZ - April 21 - 2:50 pm

  Ilove my Mariner... I saw it once coming out of a parking and I decided then from the outside look that was the SUV I wanted, just the right size not too small or too big. when I drove it, excedeed my expectations. This vehicle has the whole package; comfort, elegance and reliable. I was one of the first lucky ones driving around in my Mariner when they came out and boy Did I turned heads. Overall I am very pleased with it.