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:

• 

  Model A Ford - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Georgr - August 19 - 10:26 am

  The model A ford was a more comfortable riding car than my Mercury Marinar. Its rough riding and and very noisy. The seat are like setting on lava rock. poor gas mileage 10 to 17 miles per gal.It is a very difacult car for Disabled people to get in and out off. Now power going up a Steap hill. I would trade it in a minute if i could afford to. The model A had the Mercury Mariner bet by 100 to 1

• 

  Beck`s - 2001 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jason Beck - August 18 - 10:00 am

  It`s a good vehicle. It`s powerful V8 engine works really good. It`s got tight steering.

• 

  Good car - But Unreliable - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By Copyman - August 18 - 10:00 am

  While my Sable LS Premium is a decent car from a comfort and feature standpoint the reliabiity is simply horrible. Ive had the car serviced for brakes problems and recalls 9 times in last the year. If you enjoy losing your car once a month to the dealership and have no confidence in driving over a long distance this is the car for you. Reviews, price, interest rates and reviews and were a big factor for me in purchasing this car. This was my second Ford vehicle and last.

• 

  One Fine Automobile - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By T.H. Wells - August 18 - 6:23 am

  Grand Marquis LSE - Its more fun than a regular LS. With dual exhaust, floor shift & 3.27 gears, its a pleasure to drive and gets excellent gas mileage - 24 plus on the road. Ive owned it 8½ months now, have put over 24000 miles on it, and cant find any fault with it. I absolutely recommend this car.

• 

  2002 Mercury Cougar V6 Ultimate A4 - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Steve - August 16 - 12:26 pm

  I bought this car used with 80k miles. It hasnt been a bad car, though it hasnt been the best. The styling is sharp and the interior isnt bad. I find it to be rather low on power, but I am used to cars with much more power (had to buy something for gas mileage). Speaking of mileage, Im getting appx 22mpg combined city/hwy. Ive had some electrical issues, but other than that, it seems rather reliable *knock on wood*. Its also not too boring to drive (sure, its no Corvette, but its more enjoyable than a Civic). The styling has worn well considering the trends to edgier designs (and especially since the car was discontinued 4 years ago).

• 

  Replacement? - 2010 Mercury Milan
  By flyer - August 16 - 10:56 am

  Traded from 2000 Sable after a great 160,000+ miles. Dealer said this was the replacement for the Sable. Needed car with dual power seats due to wifes back condition. Had to get SYNC to get power seats. Car appears to be designed around "entertainment system." There are 3 different ways to adjust the volume of the system but it is impossible to operate any of the dash controls with winter gloves on. And forget completely about the steering wheel controls, they are way to small to use. However they are really easy to press accidentally while turning the wheel. The seats are narrow and the headrests protrude such that I will have to cut them off and move them back with spacers. Not worth $28K

• 

  OK I GUESS - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By 64FAIRLANESC - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought the van for my wife and she likes it. I however am 63" tall and can tell that it was designed by the Japanese (Nissan). I have to bend in half to get in and have no headroom or leg room and do not like to drive it for very long. My 2001 Ford Windstar that I drive is 10 times more comfortable for a taller person. Mechanically I have had no real problems but I am a stickler for maint, and do all repairs myself. Had to replace ball joints and a CV axle. Some electrical connecters in lights bad, I see this on Japanese designs alot though. It now has 75000 miles and is reliable and ok to drive if your not tall than 58"

• 

  MARAUDER LOVER - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By William Decker - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Very fun car.Great looking,especially with the optional spoiler.

• 

  Priceing - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By P.Arcara - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the money, but would hesitate buying a nother one because of changing rebate dollar amounts. 30 days after my purchase additional $1,000 was offered. I lost my sense of true value for this car.

• 

  new one - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By caprice refugee - August 12 - 2:36 pm

  Cushy ride, but not wallowing. Drives like the old Caprice Classic it replaced, though the Caprice Classic seemed more powerful. Nice car, though obviously not exciting or impressive to others -- until they understand how much car we got for how little money. Best value on the road, probably. We expect it to last a dozen years. Maybe longer than we will!