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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  Absolutely Wonderful!! - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Linda S - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the first brand-new vehicle Ive bought since 1982. The Special Edition package is what sets it apart from everything on the road, with the tutone Spruce Green and Gold Ash paint, as well as the badging and the hood ornament. The leather is totally comfortable, the ride is very smooth, and the car will take off like a bullet to get up with traffic. Trunk size is only matched by the Town Car, which means theres more than enough room to take six people and all the luggage they can bring. Gas Mileage averages between 25-30 on the highway, which makes for nonstop trips. 5 Star Crash ratings and Best in Quality by JD Power!

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  My Opinion - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Carl - April 20 - 8:16 pm

  I have been well pleased with My Gran Marquis. It is my second one and I plan on getting another. It is especially good for long trips. It provides an extreemly smooth and comfortable ride, with good acceleration, and responsive handling. I get about 20-22 MPG on the highway at speeds crowding (sometimes exceeding) the limits. I appreciate the large trunk space. I have driven it from St Louis, MO. to Niagra Falls, Orlando, through the Rockies and to numerous shorter (300-400 Miles) with no breakdowns or difficulties. I am proud of my "Merc".

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  The big hauler - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By John Nash - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This is great tow vehicle and hauls 4000 lbs easily. Highway mileage is 26 mpg on Phila.-Boston trips. Running around home mileage is about 17mpg. Comfortable and quiet.

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  Problem Car - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By g. grantham - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This car was not assembled well at all. Problems starting at 2300 miles and continue until present, March 13,2003.The problems have been a number of things. 2300 miles have replace U- Joint. 4300 miles, replace steering grear box assembly. 10000 miles re-ring engine to correct oil consumption. Still uses oil. Last trip 1 quart for 400 miles. Car purchased in July 2000. Glen Grantham

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  Grand Marquis is SAFE ! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By saftey1st - April 19 - 2:00 am

  The Grand Marquis has kept my family safe, comfortable, and the reliability for this tried and true vehicle is incredible. A great purchase for those that buy their car with sound logic versus getting on the fad band-SUV-wagon.

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  Good car - 1997 Mercury Sable
  By Joe H - April 17 - 6:40 am

  Very good service for the price. Paid $14k with 20k miles. Now at 190k miles its ready to go. Needs transmission, electrical overhaul, wheel bearings, minor body work. Before now only paid for recurring maintenance, starter and steering rack. Less than $1000 plus recurring stuff you always expect. If I junk it it cost 9 cents a mile over 8 years.

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  Newbee - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Frank - April 16 - 10:56 pm

  We bought this and a week 1/2 later the transmission warning was on, cost us 1500 and 4 trips to fix the issue. The car is a slug in 70 degree wheather and inconsistant with its performance. Some times it flys Odd. I love the way it looks and handles in inclement wheather but we need more power in that big V6 or a turbo diesel

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  2005 Montego - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Ted - April 15 - 11:53 pm

  Car has adequate power.Ride is very comfortable. Gas mileage is very good. Transmission shifts very smoothly. Adjustable pedals are a plus for short drivers. Air bags front,side and side curtain are great safety feature. Large rear view mirrors keep blind spots to a minimum. A fine car around town and on the road.

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  4 cyl Mariner runs great - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Joe - April 15 - 11:36 am

  Took delivery in March. In mostly suburban driving we are getting 22.5 mpg. Highway 27 mpg. This in northern New Jersey with AWD. 7500 miles so far and no issues. You have to push the car to get it to perform at times. But I expect that with only 153 hp. Cruises at 85-90 no problem at all. We have the convenience package which is the not loaded version. But includes 6 cd, sunroof etc. nicley packaged.

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  Well worth it! - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By FOMOCO>GM - April 14 - 9:23 pm

  Have owned this car for a week,so far fantastic is all I can say,As much as I hate to admit it being a GM guy. This is my wifes new car, we finally ditched a 2002 Altima (nothing but problems) Ford did a great job with this car.For my wife its all about asthetics and this car has it for reasonable money. Many mistake it for a higher end vehicle.The interior is comfortable, well thought out controls, and easy to use. Build quality seems excellent. Nice quiet ride with little road and engine noise. Power is more than adequate for my wife,has some giddy up when you have to pass. The exterior is exceptional,elegant,rich looking without the price. Definitely the adult version of the Fusion. Bravo Ford.