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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  I like my 2006 Mercury Montego Premier - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By oleander1 - July 4 - 7:54 am

  I recently bought a 2006 Mercury Montego. I am a senior lady and was on my own as far as finding a car and doing my own research. I used this website often. I drove 8 cars. The Mercury was the first car I drove and after considering all the others, it is the car I bought. I am no expert, but I do know quality and recognize performance in cars. This car is a lovely car. Good looking, big comfy interior, a heavy weight which drives and feels good. Corners great. You could live in the trunk. On the downside, undersized engine and some peculiar gadget arrangements inside. But overall, a wonderful buy. If you find one with low miles, buy it.

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  Not Your Grandpas Car! - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Wing Commander - July 3 - 4:56 pm

  After putting over 17,000 miles on the odometer in less than six months, I can honestly say that our Mercury Grand Marquis has performed flawlessly. The fuel consumption is excellent for an automobile of this magnitude and has been checked against a GPS for accuracy at extended speeds of 55 to 100 mph.The fact that it is rear wheel drive and fairly evenly balanced attributes to its beautiful handling characteristics. Probably one of the reasons that most highway patrol cars are of the same vintage. Anything less shouldnt even be considered when buying a new car if you keep safety, comfort, and dollar value in mind.

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  Cool Car - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Sara23 - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had my car almost a year. It is a great car to have. Especially when caring around friends or your little brother and his friends. It is kind of though a good family car not so much for a teenager. It is great though for a 16 year old that is just starting to drive. It is a great car. It runs great with almost 80,000 miles.

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  Why Complain? - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By elfsquid - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had mine only a year now and it was in full service condition. I bought it from Car Max, with 37000 mi, and then had it reinspected after purchace. Both inspections were outstanding. I only have two problems with it. First the windsheild has a 1/4 of the regular view that is needed because it is too angled and the rearview is right in the line of site. Next the headlight seal cracked and requires a replacement of the full light instead just the cover.

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  Moms Car - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By Maynard - July 1 - 9:36 am

  We have about 1200 miles on this car. About 23 mpg. The 6 speed auto took a little getting used to. 240 hp definitely makes this Merc fly.

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  Ford cant do any better - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By TBone - June 30 - 12:43 pm

  Whoever designed my Mountaineer should receive a Nobel prize. I bought it with 48K in 2003, and it now has 96K and the only trouble Ive had is a dead battery. The radio display went out, and I dealt with it a while, but had it fixed for a high price. It drives just the way it did when I bought it almost four years ago. Ive noticed my power locks acting up, but they arent causing any bad problems. Highway fuel economy is okay, but city is ugly.

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  I know I will get 300,000 miles - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By Andrew - June 30 - 10:43 am

  I needed a comuter car so it needed to be reliable. Pat Goss from Auto week mentioned that the drivetrain was bulletproof now I see why. My car is at its 5th owner and starts strong every time. I would have liked to have the LS with the 200hp but with switching the air filter to a K&N and using 93 octane fuel gets me close. I actually feel it gets better performance because with the LS the power is all top end. Peak torque starts at 2500 rpm so with only slight presure on the gas she moves. For handling all I needed to do was change to lower profile tires, now it will and has out cornered BMWs.

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  2000 grand marquis gs review - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Sam - June 27 - 3:36 pm

  Overall great car, had it two years did your typical maintanence. Spark plugs,coils,tie rods, sway bar links, shocks all around, and all new fluids do that you have an awesome car. I always know i can get in it turn the key and trust it to take me anywhere!. I drive alot too 35,000 miles in two years not once left me stranded

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  Great SUV - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By Ann - June 27 - 12:40 am

  Have had this SUV for a year now. Bought it for our expanding family. Its great. Rides smooth and much quieter than my previous Ford Ranger FX4. Lots of room for a stroller and groceries and lots of leg room in the back for the times I needed to be back there with the baby. Smooth handling and steering though a little soft in the rain. The seats are very comfortable but do not like the headrests. They do not tilt and cannot be removed so I have to sit with my head tilted forward, uncomfortable. Since they are for safety in a collision I am willing to live with it. Do not like the faux marble center console. Would have preferred solid black plastic or vinyl even. Would definitely by again.

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  Sophisticated Explorer - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Ed - June 22 - 8:36 am

  No problems, easy handling, and fun to drive. Its streamlined styling is an excellent alternative to typical gaudy stylings of other SUVs.