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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  Nice truck! - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By pop123 - May 30 - 9:50 pm

  I love my mountaineer if you decide to purchase one always get the premier model its well worth it! V8 engine and security group, leather! The only thing is the gas milage on the V8 but the V6 doesnt have enough power after leasing a 2002 model.

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  Loved my Mountaineer! - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By L - May 30 - 1:00 pm

  I loved this car! Very comfortable to drive and lots of room for 2 kids and their friends. Great for long distance traveling. Only things I didnt like were the poor fuel economy, I was forever filling up and a little road noise from the tires. Other than that, this is the best SUV around!

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  My Review -2002 Mountaineer - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Mountainowner - May 30 - 10:00 am

  The 2002 Mountaineer has a very good ride, strong brakes and good pickup. We use the 3rd seat very often and find the exit and entry easy. The V8 pulls well and the mileage has changed from high 16s to low 18s in 12,000 miles. I have not had any problems with this vehicle at all.

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  lemon law should apply - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Cougarowner - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Overall I am displeased with this model. The mercury gods could have put a little more than 170hp under the hood, but what this car lacks in power, It sure makes up for in handling!! Semi- smooth ride, Has its Corvette like qualities, Corners on rails! I once made a 80 deg. turn at 65 mph in a 4 wheel drift, She went right where I wanted her to just by hitting or letting off the gas. However, Things are not all well in the Cougar stable. The 99 Cougar allong with select 2001s are having PCM programing problems. Causing hesitation in 1st and 2nd gears. Replacement of the PCM chip will determine which gear this problem will show up in.

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  dont buy one - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By mjofvending - May 30 - 10:00 am

  needed all four wheel brakes at 22000 miles.Ford says"Thats the way there built" Noisey Lots of wind noise seems like poor design. Very large to handle inthe city. Not a great paint job

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  Accident Review - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By connieintexas - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Mariner for a year and a half and had my first accident in my life. I am waiting to find out if it was totaled, but hope it is not. I was able to walk away from an accident that totaled the other vehicle. All of the airbags went off, and I feel very lucky. I love my car and have truly enjoyed driving it! Gas mileage is good, the dealer was/is great and I wouldnt think of buying anything else! If there is one thing that is truly important, it is the safety of myself and family.

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  Not bad for the last of its kind. - 1997 Mercury Cougar
  By Rayro - May 28 - 8:13 pm

  This car is a cruiser. I love to take it on vacation or any time that I get on an interstate. Too bad it took Detroit until 2005 to start building solid RWD cars again, but we a glad that we had this Cougar to weather the void.

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  Really Pleased with new Mercury - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By Blake - May 26 - 1:13 pm

  About 3 weeks ago i purchased a 2007 Mercury Milan Premier V6 and it is great the quality is very nice inside and out the ride is quiet and smooth the Nav. System is very easy to use and the Sirius Satellite Radio is awsome. The 221HP V6 has great pick up and gets great fuel mileage and the overall style of the car is great looking very sleek and very solid built no gaps in the doors all closed very tight and the rear spoiler looks great and the Dark Blue paint looks great with the big satin Mercury grille and i love the shape and design of the taillights and the L.E.D Lights really set them off. The Mercury Milan is just an overall great car to own i suggest you go and check one out ....

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  Excellent performer w/ style - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By JimmySolo - May 26 - 6:10 am

  I got my LS my fr yr at school, and it was by far the best choice for the money (8000). With a few $ spent, this car outshines many others. A great handling car, esp 4 a sedan--(my car before this was a Mustang) My Sable does not have the 24V V6, but the regular 3.0 Vulcan is not too shabby. Best places to spend money on this car: I put in brighter headlt bulbs ($20), improved ceramic front pads w/ better rotors ($150), synthethic fluids ($50), removed air intake silencer & add K&N filter ($45), installed better fog lamps ($50), & put on better tires ($400)--w/these simple adds, the car is fun to drive & great on gas (28 mpg!). Only problem w/ mine is a stubborn driver door in cold weather.

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  Outstanding and Underrated - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By Scott - May 25 - 1:36 pm

  A good-looking, enjoyable car to drive. Receives many compliments from passengers. Handles very well. All the right gadgets. Plenty of back seat room for tall adults. Very roomy trunk. Great all-around visibility for driver. Avg fuel: 20/28 Highway. Excellent sound system and dash controls. Engine very adequate for all but racers. Great Pirelli tires. I would easily buy another of these wonderful cars. Since 2008 re-badged as Sable and even better with larger engine.