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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  Excellent Choise - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By Don Flory - May 14 - 5:03 pm

  I wanted an American brand mid-size V6 sedan. I looked at the Saturn, Dodge, and Pontiac. I was convinced that the Milan had the other three beat in just about all areas. My wife loves the ride, I like the power, and I am very happy with the economy of this power train. We took a 2500 mile trip from Michigan to Florida and averaged 30.6 MPG at 70MPH.

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  A Dream come true - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By Branka - May 11 - 9:00 pm

  This car is like a dream come true.. I love it... after couple of mini-vans and such a disappointment in Mazda Tribute this is the car I will lease again and again. Easy to drive, very strong engine, comfortable seats... Love the warming seats option... works miracle on my back pain.. has two power outlets... no more fight who will charge the phone first.. or you can use one for phone and other for computer. Huge cargo area...

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  2009 Voga Milan - 2009 Mercury Milan
  By Ed. Oesterle - May 10 - 12:30 pm

  I have owned Lincolns and Mercurys for years. I was introduced to the Milan, and shown a Voga style dressed up Milan. I feel in love with just the white leather seats and all the beautiful stainless trim. This style has all the other so called best sellers put to shame. The car is black with the white leather. A head turner. The Milan is a true performer, highway driving is wonderful, the interior outstanding and comfortable and the V6 engine has a lot of get up and go. This car has already shown 24 and 25 miles per gallon and is not even broke in yet, we are a retired couple and we feel young and classy when we drive it. Im also blown away with the sound system, sync and satellite radio. Overall the car is superior and outstanding in all aspects.

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  My Favorite Car - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By jdgrules - May 9 - 7:20 pm

  I had always wanted a Marauder after seeing it in 2002 as a concept. Finally over a year I had a chance to pick one up with 11k on it! Its been the best car ive ever owned, never breaks down and ive done oil changes, tires (which are expensive), and add an k/n intake/exhaust and yes its a little slow outta the gate but she scoots once in motion its like a freight train, and that 4.6 DOHC has the opportunity to be so much more. I can recommend this car to ANYONE, if your even remotely handy with cars this car is a breeze to work on. Thing to keep in mind, the book values on the car are wrong, parts are a little tough and expensive, gas mileage isnt bad, insurance is cheap, and its fun!

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  MY CAT - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By nrt - May 6 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE IT IT IS SAFE ON ROAD,AND GOOD FOR SPEEDING.

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  My Second Moutaineeer - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By kcbillybob - May 6 - 10:00 am

  This is our second Mountaineer. My wife and I are very happy with this SUV, it is one of the best out on the market to drive, our 2002 on long trips got over 20 mpg, for the money the Mountaineer has it hands down....

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  Excellent Buy - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By J Armenta - May 5 - 9:53 am

  Have driven this for over 42000 miles and this vehicle has given me pure satisfaction. Although it could have a bit more power, it still delivers on average of 23 mpg. Not bad for its size. Got 27 mpg on the last trip to Michigan, very comfortable to travel in as well.

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  excellant family car ,sporty ,confort,proud to own - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By katcarving - May 2 - 1:36 am

  Purchased this car in 08 2006 ,125. mile tranny started slipping bought a used one to replace , , not expecting cars to last forever but this is a really nice car over all, when we had guest in it they said wow attorney doctor car , had all the options plus extra components handles well on gravel roads with out the abs, car almost drives it self it does get 2 to 25 mile on open road

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  My Mercury Montego - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By 2005 Mercury Montego - April 27 - 11:30 pm

  This car has exceeded my expectations in terms of its performance and comfort. My 64" son can sit in the back without being cramped which says a great deal about the size of the interior. On the highway, the car holds it own and seems to command respect from other drivers. Also, its reassuring to press the accelerator to get an extra surge of power when needed. On top of everything else, the Mercury Montego is exceptionally beautiful. I am very happy with this car.

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  reliable - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By Villager - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I have really enjoyed this vehicle. I drive it everyday and it has been reliable and handled well. The heater and air conditioning provide a comfortable atmosphere. But the handling is great. I highly recommend this van, and wonder why they quit making it.