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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  One great SUV - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Harry Marks - February 3 - 6:30 pm

  I purchased my 2007 Mountaineer last March. For me this has been one fantastic vehicle. My average gas mileage was around 18.5mpg in combined driving and 25 on the open highway with three adults. The optional steering wheel controls for the radio, fan, and cruise were fantastic. I never needed to take my eyes off the road to make adjustments. The optional 3rd row seating came in handy on more than one occasion and were easy to operate. The only thing I did not like were the gaps in the cargo area when the 3rd row seats were stowed. I frequently haul a set of timpani (kettle drums) and the wheels wanted to fall in the cracks. Other than that, I love the vehicle.

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  Fun SUV - 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Bill C - February 3 - 5:36 am

  I really like my mariner so far. Its got good power and is smooth. Especially at freeway speeds it is fun to get the rpms up a little bit. I like the audio system in it. It sounds pretty good depending on the quality of your cds and mp3s. I am not sure if if is a option or not but it would be nice to have an outside temp gauge. Best of all it gets 30 MPG and Ive got a bit of a lead foot.

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  Excellent Van - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By LA - February 1 - 10:26 am

  I absolutely love everything about this van. We purchased it new and fully loaded. I love the way the third seat folds down for extra space if needed. I love the controls for the audio and cruise on the steering wheel at my fingertips. I love the fold down mirror to be able to see my passengers in the rear seats. It is the best van for the money. I get compliments on its looks all the time. The only problem was the self-sealing tires staying aligned. But, having said that they really do work. I got a nail in my tire on the interstate at 70mph. The tire held up until I got to my destination then went flat. The van did not jerk or anything, messgage center let me know to check the tire

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  Super Car - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Mikester - January 31 - 10:00 am

  I love this Car! I installed a K&N Performance air filter, adds dramatic low end acceleration and helps gas mileage. Very well built car Made in America!

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  The Best Vehicle America Ever - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Teresa - January 30 - 9:13 am

  We purchased this vehicle when my husband came back from iraq. Our first suv and it is the best. We get great gas mileage it is spacious and very roomy. We were looking for that. We test drove somany suvs and this one drove smoothly. We especially love the heated seat. This is a vehicle america needs to take adavntage of!

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  Have to trade! - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jim - January 27 - 2:10 am

  Ive had this car for nearly 3 years and love it..Very comfortable ride and great hwy. mileage (25 mpg). Only bad thing is town mileage is 12 mpg. The only thing that has gone wrong with this unit is the heater fan went out. With the leather interior its very similiar to the Lincoln..body mounted on same platform. Purchased this car for $9,000 less than same year Lincoln. If youre looking for a large comfortable car with great hwy. mileage you wont find better in this price range....Now the sad note....I have to purchase an Expedition 4x4 for my business and we all know what kind of mileage they get.

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  Overall Standings - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By kinipela 2301 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  My overall opinion of the vechicle is that not only does it allow you to carry a lot of people or equipment, but it ride just like a car. Starting off with small car, and moving to a mountainneris a step thatI would get to at some point in my life and I did. I would always have a mountainner, a car that I love, and have the feeling of being safe and looking good in it is something sacred. For the first time after have the suv for 3 months I was actually not driving it, but I experienced a ride in the far back seat as a family member was driving and now I always want to sit back there. Its comfortable spacious and separate.

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  Mercury Grand Marquis LS - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By So - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This has been a solid, comfortable automobile that accompanied us on many long drives without complaint.

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  Awesome van - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By nsandford - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is very comfortable. The options are few but great. We did not add-on anything, as it is fine the way it is. It is very fun to drive. It is such a smooth ride and the seats are very comfortable. It is very easy for my 85 year old crippled grandmother to get in and out (verus a car, which is nearly impossible).

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  What a great buy for a great car! - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Oregonian - January 22 - 2:00 am

  We have had no problems with our 2001 Cougar. It is VERY fun to drive and has a huge interior considering its exterior size. The styling jumps out at others and turns about 20 heads a day when we drive about 20 miles a day. The front and especially rear leg room is generous. Its sad that Mercury is discountinuing the Cougar for 2003, but this is your chance. We recommend this car to any buyer young or old, short or tall. And the price is right too. Normally, the price starts around $16,000. Now, since its getting discountined, you can get a new Cougar for way under $10,000 if that seems believable, but according to our local dealerships, its true.