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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  Good car - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Musicman - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car when it was a year and half old. It gets great gas mileage, looks good, handles well and is fun to drive. Good reliability too!

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  Good Car - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By owensry - April 22 - 12:43 am

  The Mariner runs well except the transmission pump went out and leaked all over my driveway, and it was slipping bad, the transmission was very rough when I drove it off the lot. Anyway, not very good. Overall it is a nice car.

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  If you have sophisticated taste... - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By MARTIN SANCHEZ - April 21 - 2:50 pm

  Ilove my Mariner... I saw it once coming out of a parking and I decided then from the outside look that was the SUV I wanted, just the right size not too small or too big. when I drove it, excedeed my expectations. This vehicle has the whole package; comfort, elegance and reliable. I was one of the first lucky ones driving around in my Mariner when they came out and boy Did I turned heads. Overall I am very pleased with it.

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  Vrrrroooooom!!! - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By babybrowneyes - April 21 - 12:23 am

  This car has, by far, been the best car that I have ever driven! I have previously owned a Probe as well as a 98 Escort and the ride is a lot better than either of those. This car takes corners and turns like nothin else! I dont even feel the turn. Its a beautiful car, Ive washed it every other day since Ive had it. The only thing Ive noticed on it is the paint chips VERY easily. I almost want to avoid the express way with this baby because of it. I see a paint job in the future.....

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  Love the SUV, but poor interior quality - 2008 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Ron - April 19 - 7:26 am

  We love the room, the ride, the v8 power, the appearance, and we know from the past that we will love the AWD. The MPG is acceptable for an AWD mid-size SUV. We test drove the vehicle on a bright sunny day 98 F and heard no rattles or noises, but took delivery in the evening after sundown, temp 71F. On the way home the upper console started making an annoying noise when we hit seams in the road. We made 2 visits to fix the problem. Another Mountaineer that hadnt been prepped did the same thing, as did the 08 Explorer Rental. Service manager said that if more than 2 do the same, then Ford would say theyre built that way. Excuse me? Dealer put foam in that area. Problem solved for now?

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  Room for six - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By MM - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle rides great for the large towing job it can and does do.I use it to help with the upkeep and care on my horses.It looks as good as vehicles that cost more and haul less.

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  My 98 Merc. Marquis - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Paul Neuman - April 18 - 4:46 am

  This is an all white car very comfortable to drive and ride in. No collision history with the exception of a wrinkled left edge of the bumper which caught on the edge of the garage door while exiting. The bumper was replaced. The car has 101,000 miles on the odometer. It is on its second set of tires which are about ready to be replaced and probably will need new brakes within the next 5000 miles. Out side of these two items the car is in excellent condition. The interior is blue fabric. The car does not require additional oil between changes.

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  My 3rd Grand Marquis - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Family of 5 in Illin - April 17 - 9:33 am

  This is the third Grand Marquis that I have owned. I buy them with about 50,000 miles for about 50% of their original sticker price and easily put on another 100,000 with very few repairs. They offer enough room for me, my spouse, and our three kids for medium length trips. (We use the van for longer jaunts.) It is very comfortable on highways as I travel for business or recreation, and the white car with a law enforcement profile doesnt hurt either.

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  Villager 1999 - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By barnesville - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This van drives like a car, storage and cubby holes are great, dont really like drink holders. Would prefer bucket seats instead of bench seats in back. Back seats terribly uncomfortable particularly for long distances. Front seats great for distance and comfort. Little or no mechanical issues. Sticky gas pedal when first purchased but fixed easily

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  VERY GOOD SUV - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By ART DEJESS - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I PURCHASED THIS SUV NEW AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE THE V6 ENGINE. I LOADED IT WITH ALL OF THE OPTIONS. THE ONLY OPTION THAT I DID NOT WANT WAS THE LEATHER SEATS. THEY ARE COLD IN THE WINTER, AND HOT IN THE SUMMER. THE CLOTH SEATS ALSO HELP TO CUT DOWN ON THE NOISE INSIDE THE SUV. THE AC AND HEATER ARE GREAT. THE RADIO IS THE BEST THAT I HAVE EVERY HAD. I ORDERED IT WITH THE TOW PACKAGE, SO WITH THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE ON I HAVE REAL 4 WHEEL DRIVE. (TOW PACKAGE GIVES YOU BOTH REAR WHEELS WORKING ALL THE TIME, THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING). ON THE OPEN ROAD I GET 23 MPG AND AROUND TOWN 16 MPG. I WOULD BUY ANOTHER.