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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  We love our Montego - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By LoveourMontego - April 29 - 8:13 am

  The Montego we own has such a spacious interior both front and back seats. We also like the fact that it is a little higher than most cars for head room and from the ground. The name of this car should be Comfort. The only negative we have found in the 2-3 months we have owned it is that when you accelerate it is a little noisy. That is saying a lot if that is the only negative we have found so far.

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  great truck - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Ryan O. - April 28 - 10:00 am

  Great power actually i have a 2002 mountaineer!!! When the pedal hits the floor instant results!!!!!!!!!! And i also just love the design i dont want them to stop that design! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING ANOTHER MERCURY MOUNTAINEER!!!! Very satisfied! I love the regular engines my wife has a ford explorer with a flex fuel engine. i dont care for the engine not as much power!!!

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  A well built vehicle - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Joseph - April 26 - 3:36 am

  Bought my Cougar private in May 2002. The vehicle had only 15,000km and was like new. Accident free, and maintained excellent. I have had very few problems with this vehicle in the last 4 years. Although I feel I had to replace the tires quite early into its life. My new tires are better than the originals. Not so fast when you take off, but the Cougar gains it momentum quickly into its take off. But yes, it could have used a bit more power. Styling is great, adn more than enough interior space for the 2 front passengers. The car had huge potential, and its a huge shame its life has been ended. Overall, a great car.

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  fluid leak - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Em - April 25 - 2:43 pm

  I recently purchased my mariner used at 40,000 miles, 1 month later I noticed fluid leaking. Turns out Ford sent the transmission fluid through the A/C condenser and from what I have heard its been nothing but a problem! The good news is this issue has been recalled and I was able to get everything replaced for free. Other then the leak, I love my new car!

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  Great Vehicle....So Far - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By poophead - April 25 - 3:00 am

  Purchased my Mounty from a friend for $800. Had to put brakes on it, and replace a rear spring shackle. I have less than $1100 in this thing!!! Engine/tranny run/shift like new. I live in the country, and my Jeep is broken down, and I needed a 2nd 4wd anyway. This thing climbs my muddy/snowy driveway w/o any difficulty. I get about the same mileage as I did in my 97 wrangler. I have 190k on her, and the 5.0liter w/ AWD. Im getting spoiled by the creature comforts, and everything works!! Definately recommend one of these to anyone considering purchasing a midsize SUV that gets so-so mileage.

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  Reliable - 1997 Mercury Sable
  By Albert - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This car has everything I need and is super reliable. The only time I see dealer is for oil changes and tire rotation.

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  Great Car - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Mexidutch29 - April 25 - 12:43 am

  Have had for a little over 2 months and 6 thousand miles. Very happy. Tight body, tight ride. Milan is dressier that the fusion. Mine has the platinum trim interior which is nicer that the fake wood interior shown. Have gotten over 30 miles to galllon on highway.

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  Ford Forever - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By DaveK - April 24 - 12:56 am

  I bought this car for my wife almost 2 years ago. We have not had any problems with this car. In the first 9 months we had it I was broad sided on the passenger side. The car held up GREAT. No injuries and thankfully the car was repairable with no signs there was ever an accident. We have taken it through the mountains with no problem (had 2 mens bags and 2 womens - equates to everything but the kitchen sink - and still got 34 MPG over 700 miles). I love this car so muchmy brother just ditched his Malibu and bought one just like it, except he sprung for the V6 which is also quite awesome.

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  What a shame - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By KC - April 23 - 1:00 am

  Great for all the reasons you read in the other reviews. But watch that hard shift b/w 1&2 gear. Ours (14 months old, 13,000 miles) is now in the shop for the third attempt to repair this. Two torque converters and two transmission rebuilds later, we hope it is fixed for good. Ford, in their infinite wisdom, would not authorize a replacement transmission. So the mechanics keep rebuilding and replacing torque converters. Do not ignore the hard shifting b/w first and second gear if you have it in yours. Otherwise we love the truck in all respects (except for the lack of door handles). When it ran it ran great. What a shame.

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  Happy I did not buy the Camry! - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By 2Crisco - April 22 - 4:33 pm

  It was between the Milan and the Toyota Camry for me and all I can say is I am so happy I bought the Milan! I was driving a 6 cyl 95 Mustang for 11 years and swore I would never buy another 4 cyl - but I am amazed by the power this car has! The Premier has so many bells and whistles that I dont think Ive found them all in my 6 short days of ownership! I have not yet gone through my first full tank of gas, it seems the gauge barely moves! Not used to this kind of mileage! When every other car on the road is a Camry, driving my Milan is like my little secret! This is a great car!