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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  Ford quality exceeds expectation! - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Michael Caty - June 8 - 3:53 pm

  This truck if priced by the importers would be double the sticker. Value, quality, and of course MPG are outstanding. Looks like "Ford" woke up! Congratulations, and we thank you for the fine and reasonably priced product.

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  awesome - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By jay - June 8 - 3:26 am

  This vehicle has been a pleasure on the road and city for such a big vehicle i barely feel the engine!

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  Not your grandmas car - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By Lab rat - June 7 - 11:53 pm

  I went to buy a Fusion but decided on the Milan after the test drive. Its just like the Fusion but had a better quality interior. Ive got 40,000 miles on it now and have had no mechanical problems, but all of the valve stems on the tires gave out at 30,000 miles, leaving me on the side of the road on the coldest morning of the year. Its a good little car though. I only buy American and Im happy with this one.

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  My New Milan - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Kristin - June 7 - 6:33 am

  I love my Milan! My husband recently turned in his leased truck, and decided to surprise me with the Milan. When it comes to running errands, its always a toss up as to who drives, we both want to drive .... so we try to compromise.

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  Best Automotive Value--Period! - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By gd9704 - June 5 - 9:00 pm

  Lets start by pointing out Im not your typical Grand Marquis buyer--I just turned 39 years old. My 8 year old Chyrsler 300M needed to be replaced and frankly, nothing out there really excited me--unless it cost $30k or more. Ive always liked the look of Grand Marquis. They are a car-plain and simple. I found a nice silver 07 with leather and 16,000 miles on the clock for less than $16k. The ride is super-smooth, and the mileage is surprisingly good- combined city/highway of 22-24mpg. About the same as the 300m gave me. Some of my friends are giving me grief, but Im laughing all the way to the bank. Pound for pound, these cars are a steal!

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  Bad car - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By George - June 5 - 5:26 pm

  This car is junk! This car has terrible brakes and wheels. The car rattles so much. The leather is cheap and there is no leg room. This car is outdated! The engine is a V8 with only about 225 HP. Cheap! Everything in this car is a piece of junk! Cheap! Cheap! Cheap! Well, its good if you play bingo This car eats gas for terrible pickup. I recomend this car to teens, not adults with families.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By L. Richard - June 4 - 4:23 pm

  The Montego is comfortable, stylish and handles well on the road. The high seating arrangement is exceptional and easy to see the road. Back seat is roomy and comfortable, and the car seats five comfortably. Gas mileage is not as stated, but is acceptable. I would purchase this car again!

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  Panther platform - 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jnv9543 - June 3 - 7:50 am

  The Mercury Grand Marquis is a Great car. The Ford Panther Platform which is in its last year with the demise of the Lincoln Town Car. The Panther platform extends form the Ford Crown Victoria which has been the work horse of every police department from here to Kalamazoo. The Mercury Grand Marquis is just a more dressed up version. The front engine rear wheel drive provides a stable and luxurious ride. The Mercury is an intermediate between the crown vic and the ultra luxurious Town Car. It has great durability and more room than any import unibody garbage out there.

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  Overall Fine Vehicle - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By irokk - June 3 - 6:46 am

  I have had the car approx 3.5 years. The first thing to go was the intake. Nice big crack on the frontside. Why?!...because it is made from plastic. The replacement has a piece of aluminum to correct this common failure. This was a $700+ repair. Now the control arm bushings and tie rod ends need replaced...why to manufacturers use greaseless bushings???? Other than these expensive problems, the car has been pretty good to us. Plenty over room and excellent gas mileage for the size.

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  One of many fans of this car - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By ajs - June 2 - 11:23 pm

  I learned from the dealer the 1999 to 2001 were the best built in this series and they have a strong following. I have found that out by talking to other owners. The Mountaineer is the top of the line. The V-8 engine is strong, transmission strong, solid body, has a truck feel (it is a Ranger w/ SUV body). With Zaino polish the paint shines great and people are amaised it is 10 years old. This car is a solid performer, a great winter car. If I keep the rpms under 2,000 on the interstate, Ill get 20.5 to 21.5 mpg. For good gas mileage drive with a soft foot on the accelerator. Fine a good one and keep it.