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:

• 

  Mercury Ultimate- Better than Lincoln - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By CharlieT - December 29 - 2:00 am

  The Ultimate edition has same features as Lincoln - Air ride,& more features than Lincoln, such as Digital Dashboard, full size spare tire, etc. I have driven new Lincolnsevery two years from 1984 through 1998. In 2000 I bought a Ford Expedition. I was looking to trade in my 1998 Lincoln for a 2004 Lincoln. The Dealers in my area would not give me the NADA or Kelly Blue Book Wholesale or trade in price. Instead they quoted the Gail Auction prices.

• 

  Villager by choice - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By alanstern - December 28 - 8:53 pm

  My second Villager. Editors think this is a junker, I like it better than the Sienna and Odyssey plus a lot cheaper. Seating configuration works for me..Im a musician. Power and gas mileage are more than adequate. What about the falling rear window wiper blade? Mines the fourth one Ive seen. Shouldnt this be a safety recall Issue? No serious problems.

• 

  97 Mountaineer Best Vehicle Ive owned - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Ram Fan - December 27 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed the comfort and reliability of this vehicle so much that its hard to justify spending $35K on something on something new with comparable features. What can I say, nothing will tear up. Other than an AC overall for $700 in 1999, nothing has broken. With 92000 miles you have thought the starter or alternator or fuel pump or transmission would have broken. But no.

• 

  The worst car I ever owned!!! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Let the buyer beware - December 27 - 10:00 am

  What a relief!!!.... I just got rid of my Cougar. That was the worst car I ever owned. The radio replaced three times (and still doesnt work); windows leak; windshield replaced; dashboard sqeaks; alternater replaced; in addition to the numerous factory recalls. In one year alone I had to bring this car back to the dealer 13 times.

• 

  This car was a LEMON!!! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Kevin Chiu - December 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2000 Cougar V6 Sport brand new in January of 2001. After 6 months of driving, I had over 30 pages in work orders. Everything in this car was wrong. Ford spent more money fixing this lemon then I paid for it. To top thing off, Ford Customer Care would not help me. Avoid this lemon!!!

• 

  Replaced Transmission at 14,700 miles - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By am - December 27 - 10:00 am

  Overall, this car wasnt bad, until 12,000 miles. Then the transmission problems started. First, a dealership told me that I had plenty of warranty left to figure it out. A month later, dealership couldnt replicate the problem, but replaced a tran sensor. Now, the dealership replaced the transmission with a remanufactured, without telling me first. Still drives questionably, but it looks like Im stuck with it. The service dept, my salesman, and Fords Customer Relations act like I should be thrilled that I have a so-called new transmission.

• 

  Id buy it again. - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By nice kitty - December 27 - 1:13 am

  First off this is not a drag car, a good number of the newer cars will stomp this one in the quarter. This car does however love carving the curves. Feels pretty solid on the road. Does well in the snow, sits a little low so watch the ice boulders in the road. Seat holds the passengers well. Back seat is made for small people.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Mercury Monterey
  By Jay Fleming - December 26 - 9:16 pm

  I love this car! Although it doesnt get the most amazing fuel economy it is like driving first class around town. It has everything you could possibly want in a mini van. The leather appointed seats, with heat/air conditioned features is especially nice. It drives smooth and has lots of storage. I would recommend this car to anyone who is looking to drive in luxary!

• 

  Very good vehicle but..... - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By TFR - December 25 - 7:10 pm

  Car gets great comments on the looks. Interior and trunk is very spacious and well laid out. The driving view from all sides is good. smooth ride. The transmission and engine output needs work.

• 

  Its a good car! - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By Regs - December 22 - 1:30 pm

  Very solid quality, good size, huge trunk. Two-tone leather command seats are very comfortable, nice view in all directions, back-off sensors work well. Good sound system. For the size, fuel economy is not bad. Hope Ford can bring the GDI 4-cylinder engine soon.