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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  Disappointed with the paint. - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By hov - January 24 - 12:50 am

  I really enjoy driving the Mariner. It is fun to drive and handles really well. I was disappointed in the design after I found that the paint below the rear passenger doors (where the body flairs out) was badly chipped after only 2k miles of careful driving. We put on mud flaps and it was re-painted, 2k later, the same result. Ford claims this is a vehicle trait. A very poor trait to have in an otherwise good vehicle. I am curious to see if anyone else has noticed this premature wear.

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  Walnut Quality - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By WALNUT - January 23 - 7:23 pm

  Montego is everthing as advertised; exact mileage, comfort and solid feel. Plus, you feel safe because of all the safety features. * Only would have like a GPS mapping system navigation on board !

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  Dependability - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By Eli De La Torre - January 23 - 3:10 pm

  Driving comfort for this vehicle is without measure. It drives like a town car and very quiet inside. Even after 75000 miles the engine is smooth and quiet and quickly responds when you press the accelerator. Its a vehicle you can trust to get you around town and the long halls.

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  Decent Ride - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By Skywatcher1138 - January 21 - 12:16 pm

  This is the first car I ever owned. Bought it as a used rental in late 2002. Ive had it ever since. Its been a great car. No major mechanical issues, except wear & tear stuff. Had to recently replace the thermostat & the inner tie rods. The car drives well. Not the fastest on the block, but decent for a sedan. Very good gas mileage. I do mostly highway driving & usually get 24-26 mpg.

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  Just got it - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By Stephanie - January 20 - 12:40 pm

  Ive only had it for a week (Luxury FWD Satelite Silver), but I love it. (I sold my 2001 CRV no power at all, but reliable). It is a bit fuel greedy, feels solid, sturdy, rides like a car, rides better than my Honda, acceleration is good. I noticed some vibration in the gas pedal below 60 miles per hr, but that seems to be disappearing the more I drive it. (I only have 650 miles on it).

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  Pleasure to Own - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Display name - January 18 - 6:40 pm

  Roxy as I like to call her, was mine preowned at 22,000 miles in 2002, now with 67000, there is no end in sight. No you will be winning any drag races with the Cougar, but it can throw you can in your seat when in the mid RPM-band. Plenty of leg from for driver, I am 6-2 and I could not drive if seat was all the way back. Backseats are buckets, neat to sit in, hard to get out of, and hatchback provide low headroom, I still love them. Have gotten over 35 MPG on the highway. Not taxing around city either, probably 27 or 28 with built in MPG calc. Have replaced fuel pump, a few fuses, trunk actuators. Great sound, no blown speakers. No broken head or tail lights after 67000.

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  Nice Car - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By Clyde - January 18 - 4:40 am

  Like the styling, inside and out. Decided to buy it before actually seeing it by reading the reviews. Fun to drive, and the wife really likes it! Got it in red and black leather with the wood simulated dash - the only way to go. Looks great! Price was great. Great power for a 4 cylinder automatic. Contrary to some reviews, the acceleration is quite adequate. Wish it had a garage door opener, an electric passenger seat, a tighter turning circle, and fold away side mirrors. Tough to handle in tight spots when parking. Overall this car is the one of the best kept secrets out there. Dont see very many yet. A great buy and a lot of fun to drive.

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  The perfect car - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By old78chev - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife and we have driven it everywhere. We drove it to and from the state of Washington and Oklahoma. You want a great gas car that looks good this is your car.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By marquislover - January 15 - 12:16 pm

  Even though the Marquis is viewed as an old-school car, it is fun to drive. Handles well around corners, stops on a dime (for a big car!) And give you a sense of safety. Currently getting 23- 25mpg, and room enough for 5-6 people. Ok 4 heavy ones! I am so pleased. Does Detroit think that size doesn’t matter? Big cars rule! Look at the number of SUVs on the road. I want a car and the marquis is the only one that fits the bill! Thanks Mercury-never touch it!

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  Not Bad - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By spudman - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The car has nice amenities, but has been troublesome. Its been in the shop more times than most other cars Ive owned. Though not a big car, its not easy to park especially in reverse.