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:

• 

  Our 4th Mountaineer - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By michele - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Serious vehicle. The 2004 has been completely re-styled and is better than ever. Top-quality look and feel. Great for families or sport enthusiasts - lots of room.

• 

  Grand Marquis - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By bryanh - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Largest car weve bought in several years. The ride is smooth and quiet. Instruments are easy to read, especially at night, and controls are conveniently located within easy reach of the driver.

• 

  Love My Mariner - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By Manitoba424 - October 23 - 12:00 pm

  This is one of the best cars I have owned. I love the luxurious feel of the interior. It feels like Im in an upscale SUV and its a Mercury! I have had an Escape and the Mariner is so much nicer. I cant say enough good things about this car. The V6 has loads of power. My only drawback is the gas mileage - but its an SUV so what do you expect?!

• 

  Great Car, great price - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jones203 - October 16 - 3:36 pm

  Ive driven this model in the 1980s and liked it then, but love it now. Many great improvements over the years, especially to the suspension system. Very well built car and fun to drive. Purcahsed used with low mileage. Compares favorably to my friends Lexus!

• 

  Luxury not Zip - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By DC - October 15 - 6:46 am

  First off I work where they build the Merc. That said, this is not an ad to sell more but my real opinion of this car. It is what it is, a well built economical. (read really good milage for a big car)It isnt a hot rod but youre there at the next stop light with the rest. I see over 17 mpg in town driving and 28 and change on the road with three and a half folks inside and stuff in the trunk. I never have to ask; Hey you got enough room back there?, theres plenty, even the Shack might not complain. If you like more power its coming soon in 08 from what I read. I drove out through the mountains of CO. and did it without strain. Try one. Ok I do work there:)

• 

  MercuryMan - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By MercuryMan - October 13 - 12:03 am

  Wow! I bought this little SUV for my wifes daily driver, and I love the thing. She cant keep me out of this thing. It gets 29mpg highway and 22+ in city driving. I never travel with a hang up bag so I didnt even notice the lack of hangers in the rear. The seats are firm and comfortable. My wife opted for the Redfire exterior and stone cloth interior. I about gagged when she said tht was her preference. We owned a Mitsubushi Montero that I also liked and prior to that we owned a Toyota 4 Runner, both were excellent vehicles but the love was not there. By the way my spouse loves her Mariner as well. She just has a hard time getting behind the wheel of this great little SUV.

• 

  Comfort - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Otis H. Smith - October 11 - 9:33 pm

  Ive owned many different types of cars in my 74 years. The Mercury has rear wheel drive, which I prefer over any front drive. I drive cross country a lot and I need the large trunk. The V8 engine is strong and smooth and gets decent mileage (18 - 25). Handling is very good for such a large car. Turning radius is a bit high (40 ft or so) which occasionaly complicates parking lot maneuvers a bit. Ride is very comfortable but the car is not "wallowy" and handles curves very well. ( I owned an Infinity G35 before - the Mercury doesnt handle as well but I dont need a race car. Couldnt drive like that anyway.) Im very satisfied with this car. Im not decrepit but I dont need a BMW.

• 

  A lot of car for the money! - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By Wynn - October 10 - 10:53 am

  I bought my Sable on July 7 and continue to be amazed at the performance and features. The transmission is silky smooth and seems designed for highway mileage. Front passengers door unlocks with pull of the handle again--terrific! Vehicle is so quiet the Pirelli tire noise is noticable on some pavement. Performance of the new headlights is great.

• 

  Made it Ma, top of the world - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Stosh - October 10 - 10:00 am

  Just like James Cagney said in "White Heat"...Top of the world. I have had many cars in my lifetime, but this is the most reliable, best looking, most comfortable automobile I have ever owned. Looks like Im here now and will keep buying the Grand Marquis as long as they keep making them

• 

  What a package! - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Jerry - October 9 - 5:33 pm

  Mariner Premier V6 is loaded with features for the money. I previously owned 4 Mazda products and wanted a Tribute but dealer could not locate a Grand Touring V6 in 3 states. I now feel the Mercury (based on Tribute) is the better choice. More features and more upscale look. Im very pleased.