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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  Last of the Big Cats - 1997 Mercury Cougar
  By Hershell Smalls - February 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle with 28000 miles on it. I now have 90000 miles on it and the only problem I have had with it is with a radiator leak. This was after the warranty expired but the Mercury dealer still repaired it for free. Ride and handling is still a pleasure. Although the car is on the heavy side, the V-8 has a nice kick.

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  Love My Milan - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By Pam - February 20 - 3:00 pm

  I have had my Milan for a little over 3 months now and love it. It handles great in wet weather and I was surprised at how it handled in snow. It worked much better in snow than the Subaru I had before this and I thought that was good. The 6 cylinder definitely gives it more power in the snow. I love the sunroof and the stereo is unbelievable! Never thought I would really like or want heated leather seats but now couldnt live without them. The spoiler adds a sporty look to it and I highly recommend you get it. The SYNC system is awsome and takes some patience until you figure out exactly how to use it. It is a bit frustrating at first until you use it alot. Love this car! Buy it!

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  Milan MPG 22 Combined. Real Good Car1 - 2010 Mercury Milan
  By Jim Famula - February 20 - 2:00 pm

  Milan 4 Cylinder MPG is outstanding! Solid feel is way above expectations. This car feels much more expensive.

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  My Mountaineer - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By LScerbo - February 11 - 10:00 am

  One of the few vehicles that Ive bought which had so many things included in the base price...leather seating, 7 passenger seating, coded keyless entry, etc. I love this car!

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  Mercury Montery - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By van user - February 11 - 10:00 am

  We recently purchased a Mercury Montery. Wow! This vehicle is just a pleasure to drive. I still am learning what all the bells and whistles are for. It gives you a smooth ride with a lot of pep when you require it. I love it. The gas mileage could be a little better. Ford needs to work on that aspect, but the performance of the vehicle is superb. Very comfortable. Another point that would be nice is if all the seats folded flat. The rear seat operates quite easily.

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  Old time Muscle - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By Marauder - February 5 - 2:13 am

  Im very impressed with my 2004 Maroon w/ charcoal interior. Rides, sounds and performs very well. Turns heads with appearance and exhaust sound. I like the feeling of safety in its full frame, large body. Rides a bit stiff in order to give great handleing ability.

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  My Mystique Surprise - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Fox8 - February 2 - 11:53 pm

  My Mystique surprised me with its driveability. Handling is very good, Zetec 16V is responsive and fun to drive. Economy at 70 MPH measured on odometer is 38 MPG. I got this result 3 X. Five speed manual is a very good shifter. Shifter has alot of feel and is fun to drive. This car out handles my daughters 2008 Fusion. I dont know why Ford stopped production, except that it was to expensive and to small compared with the Taurus. I have driven the Taurus (2005). Mystique is far superior in most respects. This is another European Ford that was not appreciated by Americans. Too bad.

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  Overall nice car - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By can - February 1 - 7:26 pm

  Very comfortable car to drive. I have only had it for a few months but so far we really like it. Had some faulty paint issue on the metal strip between front/ back door window. Problem taken care and all seems to be good. Built in handles on back hatch are very nice but not practical for a shorter person. Could use a pull strap. Overall it is a nice car

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  2001 Sport Villager Minivan - 2001 Mercury Villager
  By subwayal - January 29 - 10:00 am

  A tight turning radius makes a U-turn possible rather than a K-turn. Easier control of the pedels is accomplished with the modification of the steering column and a deeper toe well.The windows located in the sliding doors have a tighter seal,I dont hear the wind/noise whistling through any gaps. The back bench seat is not easily accessible from the right side. The middle bucket seat folds foward and slides but, the space isnt very large. Entry from the left side is easier and roomier by climbing over the bucket seat and scooting down the center isle.

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  Miss it a lot - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By kljw04 - January 28 - 10:20 am

  I wish I still had this car! It was fun to drive, handled well and had a sleek sporty look and it got really good gas mileage. If I ever find another one just like it I would buy it again.