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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  Monterey: nice surprise - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By NT - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Easy to use seating, quick response, smooth and ultra quiet ride, somewhat pricey yet well above average in overall performance in its class- Monterey is a welcome addition to the stylish but practical minivan.

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  What a machine - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By styleguy - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I have a AWD Mountanier. What a vehicle! Great in any type of weather. You can not spin a tire. The vehicle has run flawlessly and only had a few minor repairs. The gas mileage does suffer a little, but you got to pay to play. The air conditioner will freeze you out on the hotest days, and pulls a trailer just fine. I think I will keep mine a while longer, I cant find anything that I like as much for a replacement. I Never thought I would like a Ford.

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  97 Mercury - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By RBPem - March 18 - 10:00 am

  this has been a wonderful car, I hate to sell it, but I have never kept a car 5 years. I do not use a car hard ( 78 year old widow) and I have had regular service. It never needed more. I had one parking lot accident, fender damaged.

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  Sweet! - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By IndyCougar - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I was initially hesistant to purchase this car but, all it took was one short test drive and I was sold! A little weak on power in the V6 but, the handling and other performance enhancements more than make up for that. Great ride, great handling and decent power, not too mention striking, "ahead of its time" looks!

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  Grand Marquis horn & cruise control - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By beverlyhaynes - March 12 - 10:00 am

  This car has been the best vehicle we have ever owned. It is very comfortable to ride in and even now, 7-8 years later, it still rides like a charm. Its a great overall vehicle and I would certainly buy another one.

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  too much - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By jessica britton - March 12 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car but too much money. i saw a car the same car model and year for 6,995. If you ask me you need to lower the price.

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  06 merc mountaineer - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By haf61 - March 11 - 9:10 am

  Bought my 06 mountaineer after driving most all competetors, including mercedes, acura, and saab, and land rover. Mountaineer outperformed them all and had the largest cargo area, most comfort and inexpensive price.

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  From Town Car to Montego - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By JerryL - March 10 - 6:30 pm

  On 1-17-05 traded a 03 TC for a new Montego. On 1-18 left on a 3 wk. roundabout trip to AZ. Returned with 6,500 miles on the clock. Cold, hot, desert, mountains, snow,and ice. Driving was a pleasure, AWD was great. My wife is 5 tall and she could see fine. Had no problems whatever with the vehicle. Ford has finally got it about right. The engine is strong but it does work getting up to speed. but with the CVT it is an adequate performer. Averaged 26.2 MPG on a new vehicle and we both have heavy feet. CVT is same unit as Audi uses, AWD is Volvo. More comfortable and enjoyable to drive than the TC. Handling is more positive and it dosent have the TC seat from hell.

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  Your True Luxury and Performance sedan - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Mat - March 10 - 1:43 pm

  looks are very plain but look better than last models.

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  3 snaps in a diamond formation - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By BjRoush - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Awesome car!! I was so into getting a Mountaineer, however after test driving this sable, she was a winner, hands down. Mable "the sable" as she is now known as is a superb choice. I have since outfitted her in brand new seat covers (i feel guilty for covering up the lovely leather), a brand new steering wheel cover, and a new license plte cover. She sure is pretty