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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  jury still out... - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Anne1062 - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Mystique new. Since 98 I have had several recalls, problems with the AC leaking on the floor board runing the carpet beneath. Sensors, check engine lights etc.The plastic headlight covers fog over, a local company repaired them for 150. Something like that should be covered by mercury, for safty if nothing else. It soes effect your night vision. The grill had to be replaced due to pitting, they were suppose to put a silver one on and put a smoke color instead, said they no longer carried the silver!! Go figure!! HOWEVER, my favorite is the Transmission falling apart with only 60,000.!! Im sure I am missing something.....

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  Transmission Problem - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By PFA - October 30 - 2:00 am

  Ford has a real issue in a faulty differential. 33 months old and $2400 later. Only highway miles and no hard driving. Think twice and dont buy new or used!!!

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  No more Fords - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Nomorefords - October 29 - 7:13 pm

  Even though it only had 50,000 miles it seemed to use oil. At least a couple of quarts per 3,000 miles. But no smoke. Go figure. Auto climate control also had problems. Rode worse than previous Grand Marquis even through I had new original equipment shocks installed

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  96 XR7 is the Best car I ever owned - 1996 Mercury Cougar
  By mike - October 28 - 5:23 am

  I bought my 1996 XR7 4.6V8 in Oct. 95 and it has 224,000 miles on the original engine and still runs like new. I average 19 mpg in town and 23.5 on the freeway. The only real problem I have had is the Air-con gave out at 200,000 miles and it will cost too much to replace ($900).

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  Wonderful Surprise - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By Alisha - October 27 - 11:13 pm

  I owned a 1998 Ford Taurus SHO and recently graduated nursing school and was looking for a new car. Im very price conscious and had looked at and researched many many cars at many lots. I went into the dealership to test drive a 2007 mazda6. Needless to say I was a little unimpressed the backseat was way too small and it just seemed okay at best. I also test drove two other cars I was almost going to "settle" if I got a cheap price or leave till one of the guys that worked there mentioned the Milan. I immediately feel in love. It was perfect from the aesthetic looks interior and exterior to the feeling of the drive. Very smooth. Plus, with a lifetime powertrain warranty. I knew it was it.

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  Good as the first car - 1997 Mercury Sable
  By fan - October 27 - 12:20 am

  I actually hesitated before I bought this car one year ago. A year later, I think i made a good choice. The car is a good choice if it is your first car. It is safe but not stupid. It is powerful but not aggressive. It looks like a fish but not a food stamp. Up to now, I replaced the power steering pulley, the rear suspension link bar and two tires. In total, I spent 2700+ 1000 for this car, that is only 3700! And I get a fully loaded senior luxury car. I drive the car with comfort and confidence, as I know it is safe to drive such a car.

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  Mercury has another winner - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By MANNY B - October 26 - 7:36 am

  Our new Montego, like the previous 6 Mercs we have owned does not disappoint. The car is comfortable, good looking and comes with all the bells and whistles. The AWD feature is very welcome in a family sedan. The ride is soft, but that is precisely what makes it so smooth and comfortable. Acceleration is adequate, although far from being a speed demon.

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  Everyone loves my Mercury! - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By clintondee - October 26 - 2:33 am

  I picked up an 07 Milan leftover and Im amazed no-one bought before the model year end. I bought the 5 speed with the 4 cylinder base model and I completely enjoy the car. Im getting 35 mpg on the open road with the 5 speed. I couldnt get that with my last Corolla or Focus. The Milan dwarfs those cars and is amazingly comfortable. Its great to see that American car companies are once again designing nice interiors. This Milan along with the new Malibu are light years ahead of the models that they replace. My Milan has great thick seats and all power options standard. Side curtain air bags add safety to all riders. We have to support American Companies & the Milan makes that easy!

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  Stealth Car - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Idaho Spud - October 25 - 10:00 am

  So far everything is fine. Runs great handles great. The suspension is a little stiff for around town driving but out on the road it is just fine. People just dont know what it is when they see it, when I tell them a Marauder most have never heard of it. That is part of the fun

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  Best Car Ive EVER Owned - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Derek Robichaud - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Greatest car EVER .. Fun to drive, sporty and quick .. She loves to hug the road around curves and growls when riled ..