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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  2000 Grand Marquis LS - HPP - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Marquis HPP - July 16 - 2:46 am

  Well as if the Grand Marquis GS or LS was not great already. They did build a few that was even better. The HPP (handling & performance package ). Most dont know about these because there is no marking on the cars. They came with bigger swaybars,beefed-up trans,bigger brakes,air-ride,digital dash, dual exhaust,3.55 gears, leather wrap steering wheel, lacey spoke wheels, speed sensative steering and rated at 29HP more than the regular GS or LS. They are faster than the P71 (police car) with a better ride than the Towncar. I have 92,000 miles on mine and only had to do the basics to it (tires, brakes, wipers a battery and the license plate light. Not bad for a 9 year old car! The HPP gets 17, 25 hwy

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  Bills Baby - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By williamedward - July 14 - 10:00 am

  This is the most reliable American car I have ever owned and Iam 60 years old. My Grand Marquis is a very quiet comfortible car. Ilove this car and when I buy another car you can be sure it will be another Grand Marquis.

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  Sturdy American Classic - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Ornery - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive only driven boulevard cruisers for the past 25 years. This oneÂ’s a bit too stiff and there isnt nearly the room Im used to. I compare this to my 94 Town Car, and it just doesnt stack up. Not enough rear legroom, and even the front seems a bit cramped. That said, it sure beats the heck out of any import in its price range for room, size and comfort. We bought ours used in October 2002 for $12,000 out the door with 30K one owner miles on it. Thats what I call bang for the buck! Been flawless as long as weve owned it. However, if I had it to do over, Id look at another 92-97 Town Car instead. Well worth the few more dollars.

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  not too bad not too good - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By not too bad - July 14 - 3:00 am

  overall i am not too impressed. i am glad i leased it and did not buy it. it is extremely poor on gas mileage. all the doors and trunk do not latch well. the keyless entry does not alwasy work. since the transmission recall my vehicle "needed" was done, it works worse. three car seats do not fit in the second row. heating system does not heat up fast enough, but the heated seated are awesome. rear speakers are terrible and tinny sounding. needs trunk release button in the vehicle (its only on the remote). mercury service stinks. I thought having a third row was a plus until I tried to get to it. BOTTOM LINE - I BOUGHT THIS AS A FAMILY VEHICLE --BAD CHOICE!!!

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  Disowning Ford - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By Dvldog - July 13 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased this car to haul our two kids, one dog, and luggage for family vacations (just call me Clark Griswald). Although we have had some problems (suspension and tire wear) overall the car is okay. Mostly, I am sick of Ford taking me to the cleaners anytime something goes wrong with the car. Even the Ford dealership cant perform normal maintenance, they generally have to replace large portions of the car rather then faulty part (no wheel bearings on this car [$10] only wheel hubs [$75]). If you ask me it sounds like blatant planned obsolesce. I think this is the last Ford for us.

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  Love the Mariner Hybrid - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By marinerfan - July 12 - 7:40 pm

  I love my new AWD Mercury Mariner Hybrid. I was driving an Expedition but wanted a smaller SUV that got great gas mileage. The Expedition was only getting about 13 mpg. The handling is great and braking secure in city driving. Plus, the tax credit for purchasing a hybrid is an added plus.

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  Sleek Sexy = Mercury Milan - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By Chris - July 11 - 6:50 pm

  My new Mercury Milan Premier AWD V6 is awsome it has cool features like a nav. system and power moonroof dual chrome pipes 17" Alloys Satin Trim on the dash and a Powerful 24 Valve DOHC V6 and the AWD makes for a better handling car and the front seat is roomy and comfortable and the ride is quiet and smooth and the a/c blows ice cold air and i get good mpg about 27.5 and i really like the paint job called vivid red and the all black leather with the white trim and mine came with the sport pack which i think only added the rear spoiler but its still a tight ride and my girlfriend digs it to so were all cool with it

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  Underrated - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By KNOFAC - July 11 - 11:00 am

  Just got this recently and I love it. Ive always liked large "dad cars," and this car is a monster! Its design is subtle, and probably bland to most, but I love how elegant it looks. Its a deceptively powerful car that accelerates and handles like a dream. Could use a little more power, though. Its roomy, which is great for my lankier build. Tons of trunk/passenger space. Its mechanically sound and has a great factory sound system. The fuel economy is right around 20/28 for me, which is very good for a huge V6 vehicle. Overall, this car is a sleeper hit. Its comfortable and efficient, but wont appeal to fans of smaller vehicles that preach about fuel economy.

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  Requiem For the Last True American Car - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By ftupka - July 2 - 8:34 pm

  Grand is the Mercury Grand Marquis middle name; this car is apologetically the last true American car on the road. While other vehicles rely on technology and styling that fades, the Marquis uses its heft and V8 engine to isolate you from the rest of the world. The quiet and smooth engine in my car has been trouble free even after 12 years. The transmission makes the most of the 224hp with the aid of Mercurys Precisontrac limited slip rear axle. Combine this with the last full frame in a sedan and the soft leather bench seats and you have a car that can easily carry five people (six when necessary) anywhere in solid comfort. Dont waste your time reading "enthusiast" reviews, just buy it!

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  Mercury Montego with Hidden Excellence - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Montego - July 1 - 6:56 pm

  Handling and comfort are both excellent. The mileage on interstates & in town is very good for a vehicle this size. The interior is well thought out and the vehicle is very well equipped.