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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  2003 Mercury Marauder - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By ghinds - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Black, Black, Black, Fast & Fun. Great Audio system, handles great, excellent pull from 25 mph & up. Weak off the line then gets stronger. Nice exhaust tone. Well built tight & smooth handeling.

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  6 months and 12k miles after purchase... - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Joshua Lowe - October 12 - 10:03 pm

  I have owned my hybrid for 6 months now and driven over 12k miles so far. Most driving I do is highway mileage, and I average around 31. When I do drive in the city for periods of time, I average around 34. The engine is loud at times, and seems somewhat underpowered. However, when I accelerate to pass someone on a two-lane highway, the pickup is there. I am disappointed that I have several areas that make noise. The left of the dash rattles on bumps, and a spot in the middle of the dash has started to rattle softly. Recently the tailgate seems to rattle as well. After 12k miles, this is unexpected. Outside of that, I love the car and have enjoyed my infrequent gas stops.

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  Just like a little caddy - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By privateograv - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Traded my 1995 caddy in for this stylish newcomer. Looks great, handles very well and the gas mileage is very acceptable on regular unleaded. The interior is very roomy as I am over six foot tall and need head and leg room. All the little extras that come on this premier model make it easy to like. Highly recommend taking a test ride to anyone taken by it good exterior design. By the way, lifelong GM owner who is very pleased with this Mercury!

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  Best car ever!! - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Mystique _owner - October 9 - 9:43 am

  I bought my car in 2007 with only 12,000 miles and Ive since doubled the miles. I purchased it from my godmother who didnt put a cent in the car, other than changing the oil every 3K miles. I love, love, LOVE the car! Although its not a hot rod, nor one that will turn heads, it is the best car Ive driven and the most reliable. Its very comfortable to drive and has amazing pick up! Ive only had to change the battery since it was original - over 11 years old. I recommend this car to anyone who is looking for a modest and reliable ride with decent gas mileage.

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  This is the best car!!!! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By luvmycar - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my car used and it is the best car ever. My last car was a Volkswagen Jetta and i hated it (needless to say i only kept it for about 5 months). The Cougar is a great car and i have had no problems with it and would recommend this car over a Volkswagen Jetta any day. It is a great car for anyone that is looking for a excellent car at a good price. I dont know how other people treat their cars but i dont have the same problems that everyone else seems to have.

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  Good Car - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By Leslie - September 30 - 7:30 pm

  Like this car. Good things: runs great in Indiana winters, smooth ride, decent gas mileage, quiet engine, sturdy build (hit a deer 2 yrs ago and only small dent in hood), and love the power seat and pedals. Bad things: dead battery 2 weeks after purchase, water leak into blower motor during middle of winter, had to replace camshaft sensor, rough idle (so bad that "computer" had to be updated), a little sluggish, starting to notice wear and tear at near 90,000 miles. Overall, this car has run well for me, but it does feel like Im driving a boat. This car is a trooper and I feel safe driving it.

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  Best car ive ever owned... - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By PAUL - September 27 - 11:43 pm

  Bought in 3/00 w/29k miles, ran like new to 140k, involved in accident, sorry to see it go, i changed oil every 2000 miles! And besides that, i added gas....

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  sick car - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By CougarFiend - September 27 - 8:06 am

  i just bought my cougar and its sickkkkk,,, i got it for $1800 at a auction and i paid $700 for repairs!! ive been driving for about 3 months and its purrfectt, love it

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  great running and looking car - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Rick - September 25 - 7:26 pm

  Wasnt looking to trade, but got a deal. Vivid Red with all the options.. very comfortable and well made car. Plenty of room. With some reviews that I have seen, seems no matter what Detroit does, it isnt good enough.. If this had a toyota or honda badge, media would have loved it.. Way to go Ford/Mercury.. keep it up!! Defintely a keeper..mileage so far mid 20s..

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  154,000 & going strong - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By beancounter - September 25 - 12:33 am

  Very satisfied. Car runs (and looks) like the day I bought it with 16,000 miles. Engine is the std 6, so pinging comes std with that if you try to run reg gas. Performance is much better on 90+ octane, plus you eliminate the damage caused by the pinging and greatly extend eng life. The better fuel economy offsets the higher gas price. I bought the car w/ every intention of going 200,000 to 250,000 miles and I have no doubt it will do it. Very comfortable to drive. Seats are firm and supportive. And I can squeeze out 29 - 30 mpg on the hiway if I try hard. (The most I could get on 89 oct was 28.) I replaced the starter last summer. The rest has been routine maint and a few minor things.