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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  Go USA - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By Ron - January 19 - 4:50 am

  This car is way more than I expected for an American car. Ride, comfort and style sum up the vehicle. I like all the features and the quietness of the ride is a big plus. I turned in an Acura TL for this baby and am really pleased. I urge all car buyers looking for a big American well appointed car to drive the Merc.

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  Great Small Luxury SUV - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Garey - January 16 - 3:13 am

  I actually got misty-eyed trading in my Mariner last week for a less expensive, sub-compact. My Mariner was loaded with amenities, including european leather-seat design which drew tons of compliments, premium sound system and navigation. The vehicle was comfortable and very pleasant to drive in the city or on the highway (20.5/27.5 mpg). Never had any trouble with it for the 28,000 miles I put on it. The 9-speaker/6 CD premium sound was worth every penny extra. I cannot say enough about how well this car was designed and made. I am looking forward to better economic times when I can trade in my new sub-compact for another Mariner.

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  Bought new - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Warren Goodwin - January 15 - 6:14 pm

  Bought new and we have put 215k on it. Wonderful machine to travel in. We get 22mpg on the highway.

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  Mercery Cougar - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Kate8989 - January 14 - 4:53 pm

  I bought my Cougar brand new in 2001. Now in 2008 it only has 72,000 miles. In 04 I did start having small problems with the fuel pump. These problems came and went for a couple years. nothing to big until this year my fuel pump went out but I was happy to find when I took it in to the dealership it was under recall so it didnt cost me a dime to repair. Although now I have a problem with the oil pan leaking then burning to make small clouds of white smoke. I took it in to be fixed which is about 12 dollars for the oil pan but since the engine sits on top of the pan it would cost about 3000 to fix all together! Other than that I have had no problems with the car, I love it!

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  Pre-Owned Like New! - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Meg - January 11 - 8:23 am

  I havent had this vehicle very long, but even so far, its the best pre- owned car Ive ever had! It handles well, I get descent gas mileage, and its like NEW! Ive always had problems with previous cars, but I can already feel the difference... I would recommend this to anyone that asks about it (whether it be new or pre- owned). I have virtually no complaints. This is the best car Ive owned, and I would buy another one IF I could ever drive this one into the ground.

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  Best Car Ever! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Pat Malarkey - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Who likes going to work? But I love driving to work in my Grand Marquis. This is my third Grand Marquis in 10 years and I am 100% satisfied. The car is fast, comfortable, and runs strong. I set the temperature and the car heats or cools the cabin automatically. I hope my next Grand Marquis is just as good! Rear wheel drive cars are great!

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  Love this car - 1997 Mercury Sable
  By Lori - January 5 - 8:30 am

  Ive driven this car for years now and its a kicker. Strong engine, reliable vehicle, comfortable enough, Plenty of room for everyone and thing. Its roof rack and fold down seats was next best thing to owning a truck when the need arised. At 160k it was still going strong, I anticipated it lasting 200k easy. Safety second to none. I was hit and it took it, no one was hurt in the car. Definite keeper. Looking for another one now.

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  Finally got mine!! - 2009 Mercury Milan
  By rgtstylist - January 3 - 3:06 pm

  I have admired the Milan since the 2006 model hit the streets. And when I decided to sell the 2 cars I had and just have one their was only one I would consider, the Milan Premier. It has everything that a more expensive car has but at a reasonable price. And at the time i had many to chose from. Driving this car is a dream and the looks are fantastic! I still just LOVE to look at it. The ride is so smooth and my fuel economy is better than posted here but I do almost all Highway driving. I did have a minor brake issue from the car sitting on the lot and not driven for an extended period of time but the warranty covered everything. It is my 36th car and my favorite of all!#2a1995camero

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  Isthis really a Mercury - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Ts Mercury - January 2 - 7:50 am

  I really like my new Mercury i get plenty of complements on it to people say they really like it and i like the smooth ride and it handles great and i like the unique taillamps plus there LED which look great and there really bright and i love the all black interior with that white stitching looks great as well and i like the wales mohogany wood trim i just like everything about the car it looks absolutely great and people stop and look at it and look at it going down the road i think Mercury has done a great job