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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  Exceeded My Expectations - 2010 Mercury Milan
  By FlaMilkman - July 8 - 10:16 am

  I am extremely impressed with the 2010 Milan 6cycl. The exterior is sharp and the leather seats are as comfortable as sitting in your favorite sofa at home. Acceration is peppy and the brakes and steering are solid. I love the Synch feature - much easier to program and use than the one on my Mazda. My biggest complaint is regarding the size of the buttons on the center console for the radio and A/C - they are too small and too far for easy reach. I have gotten around 25mph on the highway (around 75mph on flat terrain) and around 20 in city driving. This may increase as the engine breaks in better (have around 1,000 miles so far).

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  a/c concerns - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By bw - July 7 - 9:26 am

  i am wondering if anyone else is having this problem. the a/c moduole and door have been replaced and keep quitting on me. i believe it is an electrical problem since the unit works when it plugged in again(after tearing down the car and hours doing so) the dealership said it was the module and door but something shorts the motor module that controls the door that closes for a/c and heating control. the cost can go above $600 to tear it down again. we have 53,000 miles on it. the sable LS with 24 valve engine. any ideas?

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  A Car to Rely On - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By VigaGlum - July 7 - 5:52 am

  I bought this car when the first owner turned it in as a leased vehicle. It was in nearly new condition. It has been comfortable and economical on trips. The best part about it is that it has required no repairs, only regular maintenance. It starts on the first try, even when the temp is -20F. As a 4 cylinder, it doesnt have the acceleration of a 6, but it does very well passing on two-lane highways. I can say honestly it might be the best car Ive ever owned in terms of comfort, reliability, and economy. True, its not a fancy or zippy car, but its a car you can depend on. * Since I wrote that review, the moon roof jammed and wouldnt shut. After checking with the dealer and two auto body shops, I concluded that the cost of repairing/replacing it was ridiculous. So I took it apart and taped it shut. Three weeks later I traded it in on a Honda Accord Sport. However, I dont blame the car. When moon roofs go bad, they are rarely worth fixing (too expensive). Therefore, I will never buy a car with a moon roof again.

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  I LOVE MY TRUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Scoops - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck after looking at several others (Highlander,Jeep,Pathfinder and Land Rover). I dont know what I was thinking by waisting my time test driving them. I LOVE MY TRUCK !! From the moment I got in it I felt safe and secure. Very comfortable and everything is right at your finger tips. Love how it turns heads and all of the toys. Benson Lincoln Mercury in Pittsburgh Pa was great. I got a great price and a quality vehicle.

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  Gus Loves his Grand Marquis - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Godsworth Krauza - July 6 - 2:00 am

  With the improvments Ford made the in this automobile they they really created a winner. It is an a great buy for the money. The interior is luxurious, the confomrt of a full sized sedan and its saftey, a powerful V8, and I love the handling of a rear wheel drive car regarsless of what the critics say. All I can say its the greatest.

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  MOUNTAINEER - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By excels - July 5 - 10:00 am

  this is the second mountaineer i have purchased it has proven to be reliable with good quality comfort is good and i love its design fuel economy is good for suv

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  Wonderful - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By Stephanie - July 5 - 5:36 am

  I was looking for a bigger car, really an SUV, but when I started looking I realized I couldnt afford it. So I saw the Montego and at first I was unsure but after I drove it and tested it to the max its wonderful, great on gas, roomy, and of course with the leather its perfect. It rides smooth and quite comfortable I must say. So if you are looking for a car the Montego is a great way to go.

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  More elegance at the price of a Ford - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By Mr. Rau - July 3 - 9:30 am

  The fit and finish as well as tight performance are up to European and Japanese standards, but where this car really excels is in beauty and luxury. We love the front end styling and standard aluminum wheel design.The Wales Mahogany wood interior trim looks sleek with the charcoal leather and contrasting stitching. Its never gaudy, but beautiful. The six-way power drivers seat was standard, even on the base model! The audiophile sound system with the Moon & Tune package is one of the best Ive ever used--and with the sunroof, it was only an $800 option. I feel confident that the quality of this car will last, and Ill be delighted to drive it for years.

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  Mariners Many Assets - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By burgbits - July 3 - 3:50 am

  I purchased this vehicle for my wife. She felt much more comfortable test driving it than our 10 year old explorer. The vehicle handles great and the 4 wheel independent suspension makes the ride extemely stable. Our Mariner is fun to drive and extremely quiet. Also impressive is the Mach 6 sound system & 2 tone leather seating.

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  You get what you pay for - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Louis - July 2 - 6:00 am

  Great all around visibility. Smooth ride at all speeds. Mileage is mid-range but true to advertised mpg. Controls are easy to reach while maintaining attention to the road. Previously owned 2002 Explorer and this has a smoother ride.