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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  What a vehicle - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Very Pleased - September 26 - 8:00 pm

  This is an amazing vehicle. Ive had my Mountaineer for about 3 months, and Im always looking for a reason to take it out for a ride. If only gas price was a little cheaper. I feel in complete control when Im in it. I have driven a lot of cars and trucks but I have never driven a vehicle that handles this good.

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  Not a sports car - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By dankalm - September 26 - 4:26 pm

  This car is a living room on wheels-- very comfy, nice and quiet and plenty of room. If youre looking for a sports car--keep looking, if youre looking for comfort and functionality for a reasonable price--this is it. For about 2k more than my wifes element-- I ride in elegant comfort.

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  I got more than I had expected. - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By RLDA - September 26 - 7:23 am

  Took her on a 3000 mile vacation. MPG exceeded the sticker--plenty of room-- and best of all, My wife (who has arthritis) was comfortable the whole time. Nice interior, a little noisy on start up, but a great overall experience. I wanted to buy a non- bankrupt American car (I own two BMWs). Ford is going to score on this type of performance.

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  2001 Mercury Cougar - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By RFarrell - September 25 - 8:30 am

  Had a 1999 Cougar. Bought the 2001. Large improvement in interior styling and feel(driveability). Could use some more power, but then again cant every car? I am very happy with my car. Handles well. Firm but not harsh ride. Nice styling. Good quality interior materials. A good value.

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  My 5th Sable - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By Nightowl - September 24 - 5:50 pm

  This is the 5th Mercury Sable I have owned. It is the one I have liked the best. The way it handles and the ride it gives is superior to other cars in its model group. Winter driving is safe and the anti lock brakes work very well. When you need power it is there.

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  Sable is a gas saver and comfortable car - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By Julian - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Comparing to our former Toyota camry,we find that The Mercury Sable is more comfortable on driving. Besides,the car is really an energy saver, our recorded data is about 21mpg at the city and 27- 28mpg for highway.

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  Still Outstanding! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Uncle Philly - September 17 - 4:10 pm

  This is still one outstanding vehicle. I have owned a Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, and several Pontiacs, and none of them compare to this vehicle. I have had zero problems with my Mercury. I could never say that with the other makes that I have owned. This car seats six in comfort, very smooth ride, huge trunk, excellent acceleration, very low maintenance, and gas mileage at 20 mpg city, and 26 mpg hwy. If you have a heavy foot you will be closer to 18 city/24 Hwy. They call this a Grandpa mobile....Ha! Why ride in a cramped, horrible riding, dinky mobile, when you can ride in comfort at a low price? Grandpas is so much smarter than you think, because he had this right!

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  Sablegram - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By The Airborne Rigger - September 17 - 3:46 pm

  This 2002 Mercury sable was fully equipped, moon roof was super, leather bucket seats up with CD console made long road trips pleasant. All features worked very well, Had great pick-up and over 25 mpg on the highway. Felt safe and secure in this vehicile. Fun to ride and safe on the crowded streets as well as the open interstates.

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  4 in a row! - 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By ret2 - September 12 - 5:07 am

  I am about to buy my 4th Grand Marquis. First was a 1997. Need room for 4 adults, and trunk big enough for wheel chair, also wanted an V8 with posi-traction to pull my boat out every once in a while. It was trouble free all I ever did was change the oil. Sold it and the last I heard it has 240K miles on in and is still going. Bought a 2000. Same thing. Trouble free!Bought a 2005 have 90K on it and drove high speed highway driving. 24MPG and except for a broken cable in the drivers window it has been trouble free. All these cars are workhorses. The Best American made car as far as I am concerned. Also the best car for the money. Very sorry they have discontinued this winner!

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  Love this SUV - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jim - September 10 - 5:16 am

  Just picked it up the other day. It is everything they say. The ride, the look, just great. Recommend it to anyone.