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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  If they only made more.... - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By FamilyVan - March 8 - 1:00 pm

  Very pleased with the van now with 166,000 miles. Bought it in 1998. Just had to retire it today. The transmission is slippin away. Too expensive to replace. My wife and I wish they still made them. Many fond memories. Wed buy another. It doesnt owe us a thing. Many x-country trips with no problems.

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  Great Value and Comfort - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Jim Wells - March 8 - 3:46 am

  It wont snap your neck from the take- off, but then I dont need to get to 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds...The reviews citing this as a severely underpowered car are way over the top. It is a well- designed and straight-forward car that evokes the qualities that Ford made famous in the 30s through the 60s. Great value for the money and everyone who has seen my merlot Premium is impresssed. I am looking forward to a long road trip.

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  Digtal Dash - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Tigerbob - March 8 - 2:00 am

  From day one when I drove the car home the digtal dash will not always lite up. Have had it to the dealer About four times, and they could not find the cause. Now waiting for a new dash for over a week. Dont Ford no their is such a thing as air freight

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  Luv it - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Wanda - March 7 - 10:46 pm

  I bought my car used when it was one year old, and have had outstanding service out of it. Would definitely buy another. I have a V6, which does everything I need it to do, whether it is driving 95 on the interstate or 20 in town. The sound system is great!!

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  More problems than I can count - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By runner1 - March 7 - 4:46 pm

  My sister and I both bought used 2002 sables with approx 16,000 miles on them back in 2003. Since that time we both have had more problems that we can count, even though we have both kept our cars in great shape and did all the scheduled maintenance, etc. Hers is still barely running; mine bit the dust a few weeks ago. Heres a list of the problems weve had: - ticking sound from under the hood that no one can figure out. - wheels puncture from issue with wheel well. My sister had at least 4 blow outs due to this issue. - power steering issues/system breakdown. - interior faux-leather paneling on doors fell/peeled off. - SCARIEST: vehicle stalls, generally while going around 60 mph!

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  Grand Marquis Comments - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By DC - March 6 - 4:26 pm

  Recently purchased Grand Marquis. The vehicle has many options which make driving it a pleasure (pedal adjustment, traction control, power seats, lumbar support, stereo adjusts for vehicle speed, etc). Trunk is large. Ride is great. Purchased all required maintenance for next 75,000 miles along with 75,000 mile warranty. No checks to write at dealership for maintenance or problems.

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  Great mileage, sporty, roomy - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By MP - March 6 - 11:53 am

  I love this car! I havent been excited about a car in a long time, and this one makes me very happy. I can get 32mph hwy and 26-28 city! My husband is just under 7ft tall and can drive and sit in the car very comfortably. When he is in the drivers seat, the back seat behind him still has plenty of leg room. Drives great on the highway and Ive put a lot of highway miles on it. My son has already put his claim to the car when he gets his license. Super cargo room. Sporty, fun and very economical to drive. Theyve missed a bet not promoting this vehicle more aggressively.

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  not bad at all - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By jason - March 6 - 9:13 am

  just purchased the mariner under the ford family plan. seemed like a good deal. we are pretty happy with the upscale look of this suv. handles well. roomy for a mini-suv. gas mileage is probably the only major weakness with this suv.

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  A true American muscle car... - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By deerejoe - March 2 - 6:30 pm

  A whimsical purchase turned into a genuine love for driving and enjoying this great automobile. Ford Motor Company should have promoted the Marauder in a more vigorous manner to reach a greater consumer base. This is NOT your average Mercury Marquis. Engine and suspension features are uniquely Marauder as are the interior appointments and exterior design motifs. The vehicle stands alone in the luxury category for a large family sedan that can drive and run with the best on the road today. The Marauder has the style, the performance and the glitz to turn heads and generate real interest from all who see and wonder just what this car is all about. Real CLASS at a reasonable price.

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  2000 Mercury Cougar - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Pebbles073 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Cougar for almost 2 years now and I LOVE it!! Never had a problem. The car is stylish (turns alot of heads) and very quick. My lease is over 9/03 and I will be sad to see it go, its definitely been my favorite lease so far.