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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  3rd One! - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By teach2 - April 16 - 6:33 pm

  This is my third Sable. I was so hoping to fall in love with another car so I could venture away from the same car-again. For price, comfort and amenities-there is no other car to love. I test drove the MKZ but the Sable has as many creature comforts but with a larger interior, same mileage. Time will tell if its as reliable as my other two-both exceeded 150,000 miles.

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  Three Months With My New Hybrid - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By threekiddad - April 16 - 3:43 pm

  This was my 1st SUV and Im glad I got a hybrid. Like many others raters, I really squeeze every mile out of a gallon of gas. I really stretch out the time on "electric". I average 31- 32 mpg. You have to be willing to change the way you drive is KEY to buying a hybrid. The navigation feature is super and easy to use. The moonroof opens further than "standard". The only problem has been a software issue with the on- board computer which the Dealer is making every effort to correct. If everyones car turned off like mine in stopngo traffic or carpool line, then we wont emit so many greenhouse gases and not be so dependent on oil. Even though it costs more, U get tax credit & gas cost savings

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  Love my Mariner - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By debd - April 16 - 2:23 am

  I absolutely love my Mariner. I bought it new three years ago and I havent had one complaint with it. I love that this SUV has a sporty look, but at the same time its elegant. My Mariner is black with beige leather interior and its so bueatiful. I get so many compliments on it (still after 3 years). Its big enough for 5 people to fit comfortably, yet driving its so easy to get in and out of small spaces. I just cant say enough about this vehicle. Beleive me you will love this SUV.

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  07 MMH Loaded - 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By PCollins - April 14 - 7:23 am

  Would buy again if I had to do all over again. Love the look of this SUV! Got up to 30 MPG already during a trip to mall, only have 400 miles on it. I have a feeling if this keeps up, the MPG will be over what is advertised. Block heater and high volt battery preheater should be standard.

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  Great Vehicle - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Bill J - April 11 - 4:46 am

  Outstanding comfort, driver friendliness, with great curb appeal and fantastic reliability. Handles very well even with heavy trailer loads or on dirt roads. Lots of pep with V8 engine and excellent fuel economy for its size and weight averaging better than 17 mpg for over 11 years. Excellent access to trunk area with large storage capacity.

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  3 Month Followup - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By Gallowsman - April 6 - 5:30 pm

  Well. It has been 3 months since I purchased my Milan and I still love it. Along with all the features I noted in a previous post I finally got to drive it in the snow and wow! What a great ride. Traction is unbelievable even on ice. I am very impressed with this new development along with handling on icy roads. I now have no regrets for not getting the AWD model.

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  I will buy another one - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By baldbuckeye - April 6 - 2:00 am

  If you want the reliability of an Explorer, but want to drive something a little differant and a little more upgraded, pick a Mountaineer. I have driven it in every kind of weather and it has performed great.

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  Best Value on the Market - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Mr. Q Inc. - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I originally considered the Aviator, Envoy XL, and Sequoia. After driving the Mountaineer, I could not figure why I should pay at least $5,000 more for the others. Outstanding handling and the V8 engine had more than enough power. So comfortable I look forward to coming back to it. I dont notice road bumps that I use to, but yet very sturdy when it hits a big bump. Was more quiet than the Aviator, more powerful than both the Envoy & Sequoia, as comfortable as the Envoy, and way less expensive than all the above. I drive 120 miles/ day, and enjoy every one of them in this vehicle. The children love the room in the back as well.

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  1997 XR-7 Sport Model - 1997 Mercury Cougar
  By Big Ern - April 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought new--Every time we think about trading it in, we remember all the good stuff--the superb handling, the terrific styling--still looks great!!-- comfort on long rides--etc., etc.!! Cant say enough about it!! Its the sports model, and in all these years, Ive seen only two others--its a rare car!! Maybe thats what I like best. Just got new tires--only because the others were 5 and a half years old!

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  Great fun and sporty Car - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By modette - April 4 - 10:00 am

  I got my 2001 Cougar ZN just over a year ago and I got 20K mile salready on my car. Its a great car that makes driving fun. HP could be at least 200HP but 170HP is not bad at all in it. I have the following options: 5-speed, ZN Package, ABS, 6-disc indash cd changer, power drivers seat, 17" rims. My friends have driven my Cougar and all love it. Car also gets 30mph on the Interstate if your not at 140mph and actually do the speed limit ;-)