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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  Better than expected - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Larry Klassen - August 26 - 3:20 am

  Ive driven my Milan Premier V-6 over 3500 miles and I like it more everytime I drive it. Its quiet, very comfortable, fast, has excellent brakes and the handling is superior. Last round trip from San Diego to Phoenix I averaged 25.8 mpg driving 75 mph. (its legal in I-8 east of Yuma) That average includes driving around Phoenix for four days too. So far my Milan has met or exceeded every expectation. The great looks are a bonus. Ive received more enthusiastic comments about this car than on anything Ive ever owned.

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  Villager Fan - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By Villager Fan - August 26 - 2:00 am

  When in the market for a minivan a good friend suggested only one, the Mercury Villager or Nissan Quest. What a great decision. I purchased my 95 in 97 when it had 19000 miles on it. I now have 165,000 and besides replacing a high preasure fuel line (made it a lot harder than it was) the car has been repair free. I have only had to purchase tires.

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  Best SUV value! - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By D. Pollard - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Just traded a 2002 Luxury 6cyl. for a Premier V8. Great styling, ride and power. With all the rebates available now, this SUV is a great value!

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  Cool Cat - 1997 Mercury Cougar
  By El Draco - August 26 - 2:00 am

  When I get my cat people always comment on how nice it looks and how its a shame they dont make them anymore. Not only that the car has been a lot of fun to drive and very reliable mechanically.

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  Nice Ride at a Fair Price - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By daddio - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is my sixth Sable/Taurus and my first wagon. I am quite satisfied. You get a lot of nice features, a lot of comfort, and a lot of room, all for not much money. I have had no problems with this Sable, and am now giving it to my daughter as her first commuter vehicle.

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  Excellent Car for not a lot of Money - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By AUBURN MATT - August 25 - 12:00 am

  Ive been waiting on the Ford Fusion to come out. This Mercury however was the first one in Houston that was optioned (not loaded up) the way I wanted. Im glad I bought the Mercury as the car is great inside and out. Plenty of room for me (Im 63") to drive and the kids still have leg room in the back. With incentives I paid less than $17.5K. Cant rate reliability until something occurs but the car runs great right now. If I had the patience I might have waited on Ford/Mercury to deliver a manual Transmission with Leather Interior. As it is I am plenty happy with the car and hope that maybe this means there will be a resurgence at Ford to deliver great trucks and cars.

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  165000 and still going good - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Howeld - August 24 - 4:00 am

  Bought my car in 2004 with 62,000 miles on it for $3000. I have been driving it ever since. Just rolled over 165,000 and the car still runs just as good as when I got it. Along the way Ive replaced an alternator, a set of rear shocks, and a belt pulley. Other than that just oil changes every 3000 and its good to go. Finally purchased a new primary car but I am keeping my Mercury until in dies.

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  Great mpg for the size & power - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By geneo56 - August 23 - 8:46 pm

  I get 27 to 28.8 mpg between Russellvile & Ft Smith AR. Drives like a dream. Has traction control, which works great.

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  Grand Ride from Mercury GM - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By moondawg - August 21 - 5:06 am

  This is the forth GM i have own and they just keep getting better. I highly recomend the GM for its smooth powerful performance and handling.Lots of interior space for 6 adults, and the trunk space for thier golf bags.

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  luv it - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By MRS. A - August 20 - 6:33 am

  I bought this used. Had a moutaineer in 1999. Love this SUV. Navigation/radio went out but was replaced with warranty. I get 22mpg on highway,bad around town. Traded off because I wanted the 8cyl. was well worth it. Again could not be happier.