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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  Excellent Car! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By RT - August 23 - 7:16 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used in Nov. 2000. The vehicle only had 8,500 miles on it when purchased. It now has 122,000 miles and is still going strong. I have not had any problems! I no plans for replacing it.

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  great car - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By johndobek - August 22 - 9:46 pm

  i have had this car for a couple years now and i love it. rides great and handles better. its a perfect blend of performance and luxury. the one thing that stands out is how quiet the car is. owning not as long as i have i dont realize it until i get into my wifes jetta. there is no wind noise!

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  Mariner Hybrid - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By nshomo - August 21 - 11:20 pm

  i have been more than satisfied with my mercury mariner hybrid - i am averaging 31 - 32mpg - and its only about 1/4 city driving - would be great if battery power were extended on future cars -

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  HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By fred - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis when I was tight on money, I have never purchased a used car in my life. Being a little nervous I did some research online and it seemed like every web site I went to had great things to say about the crown victoria and the grand marquis. After looking at both, I liked the look of the grand marquis better. I have had this car for about 2 years now and I can say that this is the best performing, most comfortable, pleasing to drive car that I have ever owned.

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  Sable beats Toyota & Honda - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By Michael McLachlan - August 21 - 10:00 am

  The Mercury Sable is a fine automobile and a well-kept secret by Ford Motor Company. Theyve built a terrific car that is SUPERIOR to Toyota and Honda rivals. The value of this car far exceeds the high purchase proce and high maintenance costs of the Japanese imports.

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  Great family car buy - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By Dan Robinson - August 21 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for a roomy, reliable family car - this is the one. I test drove the Accord, great car but seems it had shrunk over the previous years models in drivers room - the adjustable pedals on the LS premium and power adjustable driver seat make for a great ride. I test drove other midsize cars such as Camry and GrandAm and Dodge Intrepid, but found that the Mercury offered more bang for the buck. Sunroof, adj. pedals, leather interior, side impact beams all came with the LS premium packaged for much less than the other vehicles driven.

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  Piece of Junk - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By JTC - August 17 - 8:20 pm

  In the 5 years I have had this lemon, I have replaced the alternator twice, the transmission once, the starter, and the blower (only worked on high speed fan). The headlights dim for no apparent reason...the service guy told me that I would have to replace the connector between the starter and alternator ($1,000). Ive had nothing but problems with it. I wish I never bought it.

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  Tire noise will drive you crazy - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By Ariel - August 17 - 5:43 am

  My husband drives an F-150 SuperCrew and it sounds like a quiet luxury vehicle compared to my Mariner. Also, I am disappointed with the lack of illumination on key controls for night driving. Unless you memorize all the controls, you are s.o.l. after dark. I had more illumination on my 10 year old Dodge Caravan.

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  Best Vehicle Ive Ever Owned!!! - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Linda in NC - August 16 - 10:03 pm

  I purchased my 97 Mercury Mountaineer in September 96. It has approximately 235,000 miles and is still as reliable as the day I bought it. I have only had to replace the brakes, the tires (of course) and just a few miscellaneous "pieces and parts". It has by far been the best vehicle Ive ever owned and if I ever do decide to trade it in, Ill get another Mountaineer. Why mess with a good thing??

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  2002 Cougar V6 35th Anniversary Edition - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Qwerty - August 15 - 8:03 pm

  One of the best cars Ive owned, easy fun to drive, got some power to it, would be nice if they could get a more powerful v6 in it