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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  Sold it, want it back! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By ricknliz - September 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car early on in the production run, so I will admit, it had its problems. Starter, trunk release, and defective tires were my biggest complaints - however the performance of the car made up for any problems. With some small modifications, it had just as much power as the new model, and could outrun most other cars on the highway.

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  Mercury Montego Premier FWD - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By Don - September 4 - 2:26 pm

  This is the best all round automobile that I have owned in a long time. It is fun to drive and very confortable. I love the trunk. I have been pleased with the fuel economy for such a large car. I think that Mercury has a real winner with this one.

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  very happy - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By robert siuzdak - September 4 - 4:06 am

  Very solid, i also have a 04 town car, this has less wind noise. holds the road well,power ok, i would be happy with a few more horses. interior space is great. we wanted cloth seats, they are comfortable, but the leather version seems a bit wider, rear seat belts are hard to insert. headlights very bright, but have a short distance. local gas mileage good, should be better at highway speeds.

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  Love it - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By CHUCK - September 1 - 9:06 pm

  Since we purchased this vehicle for my wife the more she drives it the more she truly loves it. She says it is fun to drive and handles very well. She stated it drives as good as here 2000 jeep grand cherokee. For the dollars spent we feel it is/was an excellent value plus the cost for a new grand cherokee was approx.$8000 More, no complaints here at all, very, very satisfied so far.

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  My New Birthday Present - 2010 Mercury Milan
  By Curt - September 1 - 6:03 pm

  I just purchased a 2010 Mercury Milan Primier V6 with front wheel drive and couldnt be happier! I selected tuxedo black with a camel interior, which I feel not only is a classic color combination, but also brightens the interior. The car is loaded with every option except navigation, which I declined, having just received a GPS for Christmas. I traded a 1996 Mustang GT, desiring a more refined ride, while at the same time, not wanting to give up performance and handling. While I realize comparing a Mustang to a Milan may be like apples to oranges, the former being rear drive and the latter front, the Milans handling does NOT disappoint! In addition, the Milans ride is so serene!

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  True Big Car - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By tiggerrage - September 1 - 10:00 am

  $35000. Sport car,get Evo. Mid size,get Acura TL.FULL SIZE, get the Marauder. I wanted room, power, and attitude. I was worried about reliability.Police have THEM and last a long time, Good enough reliability for me.The ride is very smooth and nice rumple, wish it was 5 speed auto.Does very well for what it is. Want speed add the super charger. I only have 800 miles, the car seems very nice and solid. Remember, this is a BIG Car and 302 Hp. At 32 yrs old and had to pick a vehical under $35 g, I picked the Marauder. I have yet to have any remorse getting it. With rebates, cant really beat it.

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  POLICE SLEEPER - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By ROBERT ROSA - August 30 - 10:00 am

  THE 03 MARAUDER IS A HARD CORE RIDE WITH A VERY RESPONSIVE THROTTLE THE CAR LAUNCHES BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT STICKS TO THE ASPHAULT THANKS TO THE MEAT ON ITS 18 INCH WHEELS. BRAKEING IS GREAT THANKS TO THE FOUR WHEEL DISC WITH DAUL PISTON DISC UP FRONT. 302 HP THERE NOT KIDDING IT BUILDS POWER THREW OUT ITS POWER BAN. OUTSTANDING RIDE THE BIG POWERFUL AMERICAN CRIUSER IS BACK!!!

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  Great Car - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By TxMarilyn - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I have been very satisfied with this car. I get just as good gas mileage as my sisters 6 cylinder, but I have much more power and room. The insurance on this car is so low! I sustained very little damage when I was struck from behind by another car. The fuel shutoff worked just like it was supposed to work.

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  googd one - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By uywatta - August 30 - 10:00 am

  good car had fun... no problems none

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  Cats Eye - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By AdamSebestyen - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I call Her Cats Eye because She is beautiful green. This car is the car of my life. I drove 16000 miles within 4 months in absolute comfort and she will never disappoint me. Simply perfect.