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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  Not so happy - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By hockey mom - December 16 - 5:36 am

  I have had my Milan for a almost 2 years now and cant wait to get rid of it. We travel a lot, and the passenger seat is terribly uncomfortable. The seats are not designed very well and the headrest is not alligned properly. The handling in the snow is the worst I have ever dealt with.

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  A Real Head Turner - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Pat - December 16 - 12:56 am

  We LOVE THIS CAR!!! It has a look that is truly unique...a cross between a Mercedes and an Italian sports car. The interior is second to none in comfort & has a unique luxurious look. The 17" extra wide Michelins on 14 spoke wheels look really classy with a very smooth very quite ride. This car drives it self. It handles well in the city and on the highway. It looks like it is moving even when it is parked. The AUDIOPHILE SOUND SYSTEM has superb sound. This car is a real head turner. Before you buy a new car, you must test drive the Milan. I will say that we first drove the I4 and did not like the sound of the 4 cylinder. The V6 is very quiet and worth the extra cost.

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  Best SUV deal out there - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Texas Steve - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Bought it used at a dealership with 64K miles for relatively very little $$$. Now at 78K, other than gas mileage, cant find fault with this car/truck/SUV-thing. All wheel drive, ABS, leather, power everything, a V8 with guts, CD changer, on-and-on-and- on. Like it so much, am giving it to my parents to drive. And I love my parents.

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  All cars should be like this - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By Bob J - December 15 - 7:00 am

  I drive over 100 miles a day to and from work (mostly highway). I get 25 MPG in the summer and 22MPG in the winter (hate that winter gas). The car is big and roomy. It reminds me more of the cars from the late 1960s. At nearly 50,000 miles, its time to replace the rear tire, again.

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  Good kitty - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Tawan - December 12 - 6:36 am

  I have had my Cougar for 3 yrs and have never had a problem. My gas mileage is usually 32-33 mpg. The trunk is big enough to put almost anything in it. It lacks power, you will not win any race, but you will be the best looking slow car on the line!

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  Nissan Quests body not soul - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By pgmap - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle because it is the sibling of Nissan Quest which I know is the best choice of year 1995. One of my friend bought a Quest but I wanted to save some bucks. Got more trouble comparing with my friends Japanese one. Have sent back to dealer five times for variety reasons. Electrical problem is very bothering. Still love the car very much.

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  A Car You Cant Live Without - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By politicsguy - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I travel 45k miles per year, and trade every 18 months or so. I bought the Sable because the price was better than the Focus wagon I wanted...then discovered tons of comfort, awesome ride, amazing Mach audio system, space galore, a strong feeling of safety, and good looks. Im looking forward to trading this for the 03 model!

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  Large Merc. - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Coolbreeze - December 12 - 2:00 am

  The engine is very smooth, starts easily and runs well. Fuel economy is surprising to me (24 highway). Trans shifs smoothly, but not always very timely. Ride is stable and quiet.

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  Daves - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By Bugbee - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Great car. This is my first Mercury and by far the best car I have ever driven in 45 years.

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  great car - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Bob C - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Very nice car with plenty of room and great ride. Engine slightly noise but with plenty of power, but price to pay with less than desirable mileage.