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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  2003 GS Grand Marque - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By bdemedio - December 19 - 5:53 pm

  Superb vehicle. A Lincoln Town car for half price. Incredible power. 17 city is an underestimate- I get 20. I get 30 on the highway even with lights (rte 13 in Delmarva). No problems at all to date. Still smells new. 24 bucks a year upkeep and much lower than average insurance. The toyota avalon is JUNK compared to this. Some of them are already rusting. Ill play chicken with any of you avalon drivers anyday- you wont live and Ill walk away without a scratch. Anyone with children owes it to them to have this great machine because of its safety, durability, power, and mileage. Why do you think its the preferred car for cops and cabbies? Its the best car made in the world for the price.

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  Love the car, but Im averaging 19 MPG - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By mko - December 19 - 8:33 am

  I drive the car on the weekends in the city, and on the highway. Took a very long road trip from Chicago to Santa Fe in August. Love the car, but I dont know how these other people are getting mid to high 20s for gas mileage. Im consistently getting 18- 20.

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  04 grand marquis - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By roger cozart - December 19 - 1:13 am

  Just purchased this car and love it. Traded in 04 Cadillac Deville with many problems. Mercury is a superior car. Handling is great and the car is really responsive and fun to drive. I hated the wallowing clumsy Cadillac. Lots of compliments on the appearance.

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  Loved to death - 2000 Mercury Villager
  By John - December 17 - 2:00 am

  We ran our Villager into the ground; 278k from 97 to 2010. Had it in the shop a few times with normal wear and tear. When it finally died no one could figure out why, we spent more than it was worth at the end to try and get it running again. In the end we had to let it go. Currently looking for another one to drive till it drops.

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  Good Solid Car- Great Used Value - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By robert - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I have had 3 Grand Marquis. A 1985 that I drove to 250 K! A used 1990 that I drive to 200K. The last car was a used 1996 and in has 98K on it. No problems a good solid cars. 2011 is the last year. This was a great car from a generation ago, well built, cheap to run, and it will be missed by me.

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  Sporty Value - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By KG - December 17 - 2:00 am

  For once American styling surpassed Japan (in this price range anyway). Considered the Toyota Celica but the cougars lines flow better. Got all the bells and whistles (leather, sunroof, CD, Chrome wheels) makes the car much more enjoyable in the long run.

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  Sporty Value - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By kg - December 17 - 2:00 am

  For once American styling surpassed Japan (in this price range anyway). Considered the Toyota Celica but the cougars lines flow better. Got all the bells and whistles (leather, sunroof, CD, Chrome wheels) makes the car much more enjoyable in the long run.

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  SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By junglewank - December 17 - 2:00 am

  When I was looking for a car I had never thought that a cougar would be the one. But when I saw the new XR package I knew I had found the car I was looking for. So far I have nothing but great things to say about the car; it drives great, looks great and is an awesome car for picking up chicks. The stereo system is also great and the leather seats are so comfortable. The car has great steering and makes tough, sharp right turns easy. This is a great car worth every penny spent.

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  So Far So Good - Part II - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By 04SableDriver - December 16 - 12:33 am

  6,000 miles/3 months and so far so good! My Sable continues to impress with its smooth ride, comfortable seats, and generally polished demeanor. Truly this car speaks volumes as to why Americans buy millions of mid-size sedans each year - they really do just "fit!" Certainly not exciting, hardly sporty; but without a doubt, comfortable, quiet and eminently faithful in their daily motions. Complaints in my case are few thus far. Gas mileage is hardly stellar (avg is about 20 or so mpg; all highway), and the standard stereo emits nothing but dull and flat noises. Finally "quality," that ever looming threat, has remained perfect - no glitches to report! Stay tuned - Part III to come!

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  Jessica - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By jessica - December 15 - 6:30 am

  I bought this car after the escape I had transmission went on it at 80,000 miles didnt have this one a year and the transmission went very disappointed good thing it was still covered in the warranty dont think I will buy ford products ever again.