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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  Car of the year - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Gary Senecal - April 11 - 12:10 pm

  The style of this car caught my eye as soon as it came out. It is made extremely well. Very sound and tight. This car definitely turns heads. I am sure it will be an award winner. The only draw back is its slower than average pick up. but Iam retired and not in a hurry.

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  I love it! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Mrhdaisy0 - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a cougar for years before I actually bought one. Im not at all disappointed. She could handle a bit better in the snow, but overall, I love her!

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  For the money - GREAT car! - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By Scott - April 11 - 8:20 am

  I didnt know what to expect from this car. I traded an 04 STS Cadillac, and thought I was giving up a lot. Didnt happen! Love the room in this car. Love the comfort (I drive 35,000 a year) and love the fact that everything works, no squeaks, and great milage. Around 25 mpg. I am VERY happy with this car, and cant wait to buy an 2010. Love it!

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  Its Pretty Good...! - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By RT - April 6 - 1:36 am

  Having owned this car for 6+ years, we are very familiar with the breed. Its been quite a good car. Its very unassuming--but it serves its purpose: reliable transportation. The moon roof is a great feature as is the ventiliation (something that always stands out with Fords). Good buy at an exceptional price back in 00.

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  i never had one just love it - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By mike33pimp - April 5 - 10:00 am

  it is great i love to always be in this car cause it is great thats why its my favorite

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  Bullet Proof - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Tieden - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Most under appreciated car on the road today. If your looking for a small neo- hippy car or a glitzy peacock vehicle dont look at the merc. but if you need a to hell and back in comfort and reliability you cannot look anywhere else. I do alot of highway driving and at 70 mph+ I average 31-33.5 mpg depending on AC usage. show me any v8 import lux sedan that gets that mpg and then compare price tags and reliability. this platform is something that should never be discontinued its a mark of American quality. Im 31 and I get asked why I drive an old man car and I respond because old men know quality and dont have time for less.

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  FirstAmerican - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By katsumoto - March 30 - 7:50 pm

  This is the first American car Ive bought in over 30 years and has not disappointed. After 2 1/2 years I have yet to encounter any problems and the car handles as well as any Japanese or German car Ive had in the past. Adequate acceleration and good gas milage for a V6. Im still not wedded to American cars but will certainly give Mercury/Ford a close look when its time to replace.

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  Mercurys PREMIER Ride - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By Matthew - March 30 - 10:20 am

  Mercury Montego is a awesome sedan it has plenty of front and rear leg room for anyone plenty of headroom as well the vehicle hugs the road extremely well the ride and braking are fantastic as well as the trunk space and the engine runs quiet and preforms well for vehicles size but needs more punch. I love Mercurys traditional Satin Waterfall Grille looks great and Montego has plenty of great features for you to like Dual Climate Control Heated/Cooled Seats HID Headlights and LED Taillights make for being seen better and the exterior and interiors fit and finish is great all sealed tight no gaps which makes the ride really quiet I think Mercurys got them a Luxury Sedan thats priced just right

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  2002 Mercury Sable GS Sedan - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By Michael Wayne - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, great look. If you can afford the LS, get it for the larger engine.

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  Dunno what car you people are driving... - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By MarcusM - March 30 - 2:00 am

  ...since I have had NO PROBLEMS with the exception of having to take it to the dealership to replace a fuse for the left turn signal. The acceleration, braking and handling make this car fun to drive. Easily gets up to 100 MPH. Fuel economy could be better as could the front drink holder. Reading the reviews made me laugh as I thought of using two hands to grab a drink larger than 20oz. One hand to pull the drink out, the other hand to keep the plastic in the center console! You people know what Im talking about! Overall its a great car and you people that dont think so are foolish!