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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  97 Mercury Cougar XR7 - 1997 Mercury Cougar
  By C. Radaker - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle has been relatively trouble free. Now has 95,000+ miles. One of the best cars Ive owned.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!! - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By cougarfanatic - November 22 - 11:59 am

  My cougar is the best car ever!! It is definitely a head turner. Its exterior is white with a red stripe. the interior is black and red. it is very fun to drive esp. in deep curves. it handles very well. This is not only a aprts car for girls!! I get approached by guys all the time about my car. I recently purchased this car for $1500. the previous owners thought that it needed a new computer. but once i got it home i noticed that the spark plugs were on wrong. lol so i got this great sexy car for cheap. i would give this car a 5 in every category but the back seat isnt to comfy. other than that this car is the best ever.!!!!

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  Love the Coug - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Shaun - November 19 - 8:43 am

  I bought this vehicle in 2002, and Overall, I cannot complain. I have had very minimal issues with this car. I did not start putting money into it until the year or so, and even then it hasnt broke my bank account. Repairs have included: brakes, alternator, and new tires. If they were still making these and I wasnt in need of an SUV I would not think twice about getting another one. They are fun to drive, handle nicely, and it has done me well in the Canadian winters.

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  My wife loves it - 2005 Mercury Sable
  By GLK - November 18 - 11:13 pm

  Im not quite sure why Mercury is forced to sell these cars with such a high discount. The LS I bought listed a bit over $26,000 and I picked it up for $15,900. On occasion I drive it and find it to be a very nice car. As a family car its just fine; as a second car it is superior. Weve had no problems with it whatsoever nor did we have to take it in for those annoying little repairs that were not caught at the factory. Is it dated in style and ammenities? Perhaps, but it has exactly what my wife needs and then some. It is easy to drive, quiet, and has enough pickup to get around a slower driver. Instrumentation is well- thought out and Im most happy with the value I got for my money.

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  manual passenger seat uncomfortable - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By tom - November 17 - 6:16 am

  power drivers seat is comfortable ..manual pasenger seat very uncomfortable due to front of seat being to high ..seat needs to be more level for comfort there is no adjustment for this

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  Mercury Grand Marquis - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By nick florida - November 16 - 10:43 pm

  Purchased car new, never been to dealer for repair. Smooth ride, comfortable. Changed oil every 5000 miles. All around mileage is 20 mpg/ 26 hwy. Great car. highly recommended. Great improvment from previous models.

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  Great Reliable Car - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By John - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Roomy, decent gas mileage, luxury, and comfort. I have 140,000 miles on mine and it drives like a dream. Powerful V8 - And ALL electrical items still work in the car ! I have always maintained it well, but no major repairs.

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  Kogt - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Larry OConnell - November 15 - 12:50 pm

  I have owned the SUV for 6 months and love it. I am more impressed with it the more I drive it. Mileage is an honest 13 mpg in heavy city driving and getting slightly better as it gets miles. The mileage on the road is where it really shines, it is easy to get 19-22+ mph on the open road. Combined mileage has been a solid 16+ mpg for our type of driving. I love the performance of the V8 and the 6 speed is able to find the right gear when needed. The SUV is solid, quiet,and fun to drive. We own a 2000 Mustang GT 5 speed that we love and I am shocked that I find my self wanting to take the Mountaineer on trips where the road is twisty. The Mountaineer really handles nice, and just feels right.

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  Very Satisfied - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Vic - November 13 - 12:40 pm

  This is the third SUV I have owned and am very satisfied with its ride and reliability. I cant say enough good things about this vechicle. I would definitely recommend it!

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  Love My New Milan Hybrid - 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid
  By Deb - November 12 - 8:16 pm

  I have had my new Milan Hybrid for about 3 weeks now and I love it. Its replacing a 03 Acura TL (which I loved) and I wanted to buy an American hybrid this time. This is my first American car since the early 80s and I am very impressed. The interior is contemporary and comfortable; I love the styling. I drive about 200 miles a day and the Milan is very comfortable. I love the integrated BlueTooth and the free 3-month subscription to Sirius radio. The seats could be a tad cushier but other than that no complaints. Most of my daily driving is highway 65-75 mph and I am getting 34-35 MPG which is great.