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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  2002mvilliager - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By stephen - April 7 - 2:00 am

  The Villager is an easy mini-van to drive. Plenty of room for kids and gear. Lots of options for the money. Needs the heat for the rear to be couple in eith the a/c controls. Vehicle is well laid out, all controls are easy to reach. Plenty of leg room. Good looking vehicle.

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  mercury villager - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By Levi - April 7 - 2:00 am

  This is my second villager purchase. My 93 with 85kmiles has never let us down. we decided tp keep it for my 16 year old son. The new villager with all the bells was only 18300 which I feel is a great deal for this van

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  miserable owner - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By dave - April 6 - 8:33 am

  This vehicle is 7 months old and I have problems with radiator, all four tires cracked and need replacing, glur trim is coming off of the side of the car. I took out special warranty policy which has not been totally honored by the local dealer. 2 dealers refuse to honor Ford warranty.

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  Mountaineer, bad transmission, good looker - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Linda Davis - April 2 - 10:03 am

  I thought this would be the perfect vehicle. But two transmissions in 2 years at $1500 dollars and wheel bearings in less than a year was a little too much. The air conditioner shows no results on leakage testing, but it was filled 2 times a year, it would be freezing then high points on vents would be cold and lower vent warm. Ford could not find what the problem was, but suggested another Mountianeer because this was a used purchase. Another problem was the transmission stick is located on the bottom and will require a special instrument to check fluid level. bad idea.

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  Best used value in a sedan - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By NCrob - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this car. I had test driven every type of mid-size sedan including the Accord, Diamante, Altima, and Camry. Dollar for dollar, you CANT beat the Sable (or Taurus). Standard V-6, power everything and more room and comfort than all of the above. Did I mention the one I found had just 7500 miles on it and was just six months old and I paid $12,200? Dont buy new, just look for almost- new.

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  A "solid" car - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By MrLypage - April 1 - 2:00 am

  "Solid" because it has meet / exceeded exxpectations. I bought this car in 9/2002 with ~ 70K on it and for $6300. Within the following two months, put in a CD player (a must!), 4 new tires, a tuneup, and a battery (a little over $1000 total). And it hasnt disappointed yet. Although Ive never had to do this with previous vehicles (maybe because of GMs big engine size), I did have to make it a habit to put in a bottle of Heet with each tank in the winter to counter hard-starting probs.

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  I love it! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By jwildeman - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I wanted something sporty and fun to drive at a reasonable price and reasonable insurance rates. I found exactly that with the Cougar.

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  Great Ride - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Sandino - March 30 - 7:00 pm

  Bought it as a Mechanics special... The spark plugs were fouled... That was it. Runs and looks great. I didnt think I would like it. Even with 129,00 miles on it it drives like new... Amazing

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  #3 - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By jimd - March 30 - 6:00 pm

  This is our third Estate. The first one went 260K before we traded for a 98. That went 190K before I demolished it. Car was toast but wife and I walked away. Interesting note. Injuries in accidents are roughly half of those in other vehicles.Just bought 02. Expect the same great reliability. Only problem was Ford CD changer which went south at 140K on both previous cars Newer one has simple player. I guess well have to hang on to this one.

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  Momma Luvs her Marquis - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By stgcret - March 29 - 10:50 pm

  Drove by the dealership (closed). Real nice Gulf Coast Edition, Red Toredor with Gray Leather. Looked brand new inside/out. Have owned 14 Lincolns but this one my wife really liked, so I bought it for $5400. Hard to say anything bad about an 11 year old car that still shines like new in/out. Had all books/records and owned by a 78 yo Lady. Looks like it never left a garage. Drives very close to a Lincoln Towncar.