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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  Great car for the money - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By KJK - May 23 - 5:03 am

  After leaving an 04 BMW 325 I was a little concerned about performance, I was told by many that since it is made in part by Mazda, I was willing to take a chance, Now after 5 months of driving this car, I find it to be a great value for its selling price. It may not have the torque of the Beemer, but once driving on the highway, the handling, feel and overall comfort are that of a very high end car with the price tag of under $25,000. People are forever asking me what if is since it has the look of a high end Italian car. Every morning when I get in my Milan, I smile knowing that my payments are half what I had paid for my higher end cars yet it rides as well.

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  Awesome Car for the Price - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By mercmarauder - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Dont let the sticker shock you. These cars can be bought for a little less than $30,000. And you get a ton (really 2 tons) of car for your money. The 302 HP rating must be conservative. The car is FAST. And comfortable. And it handles like a Mustang GT. 17 MPG around town. Room for the whole family. Comfort. Pwer. Performance. Take that Caprice (ahem IMPALA) lovers!

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  Best of Mercury - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By barnzy - May 22 - 2:00 am

  The Cougar was the first car Ive ever bought. It has overall been a good investment. It has good pick up speed, and in my opinion is a comfortable car. Other people have said this car has given them all sorts of problems but mine have been minor, typical car repairs. If your looking for a sports car at a low price, the Cougar is it. Too bad they quit making them. My problems were my driver side window, it will roll down, not up. My check engine light is always on, and ofcourse the infamous cup holder rarely works. It is wise to purchase a warranty, as with any car. I have and that window was a little expensive.

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  my review - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By mgotimer - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Very good car, never unimpressed.

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  Considering a second one - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By padriver - May 21 - 7:00 pm

  Got my Mariner in November 2007 to replace my old Explorer. Was a little nervous about getting a smaller SUV as I am 600 and 200+ but wanted better gas mileage. Great move. The Mariner thus far has been fantastic. (3000 + miles in)Comfortable, fun to drive and Im getting 20 mpg which I consider great as I tend to fly on the interstate. My wife recently drove this for a few days due to bad weather and now we are seriously considering getting another one for her. She never had an SUV and didnt think she would like one but I had to wrestle the keys off her to get my vehicle back! Mercury did this one right! Also there are less Mariners out there than Escapes so it still looks more unique.

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  Ergonomic Flaw on seating - 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid
  By Bill Palermo - May 21 - 10:33 am

  On my first review I was to hasty to rate the interior design a 10. I have to go back and rate the seating a 4. It is very uncomfortable for petite drivers or passengers if their height is 53" or under. Once you are seated into the plush leather seating and settle back you will notice the headrest will push your head forward. Long trips will put you into misery and a maybe even a visit to the chiropractor office. When you try out the seating make sure you are not wearing a winter coat, thats what it takes to keep your head from being pushed forward. I wrote to the Ford / Mercury Customer Service Department explaining what I feel is a flawed design on their leather seating package.

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  MONTEGO - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By PAINTSKY/SUSAN - May 20 - 10:00 am

  WOW! IT ONLY TOOK ME A FEW MINUTES TO KNOW THIS WAS THE CAR FOR ME. "MERLOT" IN COLOR I ADDED AN AFTER MARKET HIGH END KENWOOD EXCELON NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK! THEN I ADDED ROXX CHROME WHEELS AND TINTED THE WINDOWS. WHAT A CAR. THE DEALERSHIP COULDNT KEEP OTHER PEOPLES HANDS OFF IT AFTER MAKE READY. THIS GOES HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE CHYSLER 300C MINUS THE HEMI AND AT A MORE AFFORDABLE PRICE. I WISHED IT HAD MORE POWER AS I AM A V8 FAN BUT ALL IN ALL IT HAS SOME GET UP AND GO THAT WILL MAKE ME HAPPY. FINALLY, MERCURY (VOLVO ENGINEERS?) DID A FANTASTIC JOB!

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  2004 Grand Marquis Ultimate - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Paul C. Pistone - May 18 - 10:30 pm

  After driving a Crown Vic switching to the Grand Marquis was an easy transition. Both are excellent, dependable vehicles and I really appreciate the additional features that come on the Grand Marquis Ultimate. I find the Grand Marquis LS Ultimate to have an incredibly smooth ride with the air suspension. The electronic dash display along with controls on the steering wheel for climate, cruise and sound system are awesome! The comfort is equal to that of the Lincoln Towncar at a much better price. The spacious passenger cabin and large trunk are excellent for taking road trips. Impressive 5 Star Safety ratings, Traction control, airbag systems and body design with steel reinforcement.

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  Wow - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Trash - May 17 - 6:36 am

  I just bought my dream car. I paid too much, I dont care! The question above, that said " Fun to Drive" says it all. You step on the gas, and it pushes you in to the plush leather seats at 60+, and then you look and it says 100. Wow! The sound of the engine is a low "gurgle" unexpected from such a small V-8. Having driven it less than 1000 miles, I can only say that it handles well, but on a wet road surface it could definitely get away from you. The quiet interior is only interrupted by the mellow exhaust tones as you depress the accelerator. A pleasure to drive, Im thankful that Im lucky enough to own one of these modern day muscle cars. This is the direction NASCAR should have gone.

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  Little Red Cougar - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By wingjk - May 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car! The V6 is plenty fun although not exceedingly strong. The automatic transmission is smooth and has a great sound. The car gets great gas mileage and is comfortable even on a long trip. Aside from being great looking the hatchback design makes it easy to carry over-size objects. Even with the performance Comp T/A 16 inch tires it is very surefooted in rain, snow and ice. The car is beautiful, fun, economical and reliable. What more is there?