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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  A good reason to buy a Honda. - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By B Leslie - July 1 - 11:40 pm

  We finally bought this after searching for a new car for 5 years.We bought this used and got a good deal, but could have gotten a better deal new (always check 1st).Anyway, after having the SUV for 2 years a few things have shown their ugly faces.1)the transmission is a lemon. Ford has recalled this transmission, but not on a mountaneer. 2)the fake metal trim is just cheap paint on tan plastic. 3)the 4L V6 needs to be trashed (just spent $500 to fix a CEL and do regualar maintance).4)dont buy for fuel economy.5)The interior parts are garbage. It will hold its own on the road, its fun to drive for an SUV, and you cannot lose it in a parkinglot.

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  This SUV has treated me right - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By TH - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Overall Ive had a great experience with this vehicle. Love the versatility - have hauled all sorts of things home with it - furniture, bags and bags of mulch, mountains of groceries - you name it. The front seats are very comfortable, the leather has worn well, dont know about the back seats since Ive never sat in them but havent had any complaints. Had a few minor problems covered under warranty - I have a great dealer so they are always taken care of quickly, plus a couple of recall items - the windshield wiper problem and the radio.

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  This SUV has treated me right - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By th - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Overall Ive had a great experience with this vehicle. Love the versatility - have hauled all sorts of things home with it - furniture, bags and bags of mulch, mountains of groceries - you name it. The front seats are very comfortable, the leather has worn well, dont know about the back seats since Ive never sat in them but havent had any complaints. Had a few minor problems covered under warranty - I have a great dealer so they are always taken care of quickly, plus a couple of recall items - the windshield wiper problem and the radio.

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  My favorite vehicle - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By RWH - June 29 - 4:10 am

  I love this SUV. Bought it new, have over 170,000 miles on it and hope to get another 170,000 miles out of it. The 302 V8 does and pulls everything I ask it to. This SUV still turns heads and get compliments on it after 10 years of owning it. I also drive a Jeep Commander. For snow I still prefer the Mountaineer. Had the shocks replaced a month ago and ride is very stiff now. Hope it will smooth out with a little more miles on them.

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  Great Value - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By Mark - June 28 - 11:50 pm

  I went from a Chrysler 300M to this car and Im so glad I did. It is a great value. It is the roomiest car in its class. I am 64 and can sit comfortably in the back seat with the drivers seat all the way back. However I was slightly disappointed in the foot well space on the drivers side. Also, being tall, my head is pretty close to the roof of the car with the moonroof option. The engine is quiet and has great acceleration when you need it. You may be disappointed in the gas mileage though if you dont do a lot of highway driving. 75% of my miles are highway miles and I still only average about 23.5 MPG. The only real negative I have is the instrumentation. Pretty basic.

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  2007 Mercury Montego Premier - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By Tim Lange - June 28 - 12:06 pm

  Bought it with 14,000 already on the car. Chose it over Buick Le Sabre/Lucerne and similar Oldsmobile. It has higher seats was easier to get in and out of. Gas mileage seems poor, I never push it hard and never exceed speed limits, but on a trip of 60mph all day I get at best 24mpg. Most driving is in town, so mileage is usually 19mpg. Ride is excellent, visibility is good, Im very happy I bought it.

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  bad ass! - 1996 Mercury Cougar
  By fordpwnage - June 27 - 10:00 am

  man, i love this car! its so fast (4.6L) and people just dont see this car coming. its awsome when you tell people, i have a cougar and they think to the new ones. ;). this car makes the best sleeper. i had trouble getting into rear seats of other 2 door cars, but not this one! the quiet idle doesnt give away the v8, when i gun it, its to late for them. the only thing i hate is it needs more power. Im gonna fix that soon though... it would be bad ass if it could hang with z28s, or its brother, the mark VIII.

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  Bargain - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Purley - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Purchased used for about $11,000 after my 1996 Grand Marquis was stolen. Fifteen months and 25,000 miles the only repair has been a turn signal bulb. 320 lbs of sand in the trunk makes winter driving ok despite RWD. It is very comfortable and the AC and heater work exceptionally well. Road noise is moderate. The interceptor package makes handling pretty good and passing acceleration outstanding. I average 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. I get grief because its an old mans car but have lots of extra money to spend on other things. Like the 1996, it occasionally feels a bit loose over uneven surfaces.

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  My new Montego - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Diana McNeil - June 26 - 8:43 pm

  This is a great new american product from Ford Motor. I have only owned Ford products for the past 20+ years. This is the very best I have ever driven. I cant imagine why anyone would ever buy an import now.

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  "Wow!" On Initial Quality - 2010 Mercury Milan
  By Joe Frances - June 23 - 6:10 am

  Just got started a couple of weeks ago with my I-4 Premier Milan, but it is wonderful! The new car quality reports are not wrong. This is a well-built car with tons of features. I bought a "loaded" models with NAV and backup camera. I love it. It feels solid, strong and responsive. Theres a touch of engine noise, but to my ears, its a nice throttle growl not a straining sound. With the radio going its hardly noticeable, and does not impede conversation at all. After the "Cash for Clunkers" program, it took a long time to get this car, but I am glad I waited. The color is Smokestone, and it is beautiful. I am a very proud and happy owner.