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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  Cougar XR Type-S, Cosworth V-6 - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Heather - April 23 - 8:10 am

  While trying to research specs about my car, I never seem to be able to find it. It "doesnt exist" according to almost everyone. Even when I needed a few parts to fix my car the computers at the auto shop didnt have my car on their list and couldnt help me. Why is this? Obviously my car exist or it wouldnt be parked in my driveway. My car is a 2002 Cougar XR Type S. It also has a V-6 cosworth engine in it unlike the base models and it was produced/manufactured by Auto Alliance, not Ford. My car also has the special black paint, hood scoop, spoiler, XR badges on the exterior. The interior has black & red leather seats with the cougar logo and XR logo carpets. Cont. in favorites.

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  Lots more punch - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By sedan - April 22 - 12:30 am

  Having owned 2000 Marquis the 2006 has lot more acelaration. Gets out good. The major complaint is very little storage space in the front.

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  Love it, and so does my wife! - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By LaddDez - April 20 - 11:50 pm

  I did a lot of research including Edmunds before buying. Was looking for the hybrid, but decided on the 4 cyl. premier version. The price difference will never be made up in gas cost. Ride is excellent, quality great, and I like the new low roll resistant Michelin tires this year. And I got a good deal in addition to the $1500 rebate. Great comfortable replacement for our Town and Country with plenty of storage space, and the back seats fold absolutely flat. Great for the dog! Buy this car and you will not be sorry.

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  Minor problems but quite satisfied - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By ER in SoCal - April 20 - 10:00 am

  bought the suv in 9/01 for the wife and new baby its very comfortable but handles light on its feet making the wife very happy (she had a sports car) ave mpg for suv great stereo and very nice on long trips ave power from v6 but no trouble passing on SoCal freeways great brakes have 30k and tires still at least 50% a little noisy at times but not really an issue with kids really have enjoyed owning this one weird problems 1.peeling paint on roof and roof rack 2.seat cushion got funny bulge 3.leaky moon roof all problems fixed by local dealership under warranty

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  Okay buy - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Charles Groves - April 20 - 10:00 am

  The Mercury handles terrobly but is comfortable and takes the bumps ver well. The gas is harribole with airbag and gas millalige. I have been in the shop with transmission problems twice in a week.

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  Noisy start - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Sandy - April 18 - 6:16 am

  I love my 05 Montego but it has a loud hesitant start. I just recently experienced another loud noise when steering left or backing up. I took it to the dealership and they told me the strut bearing on the drivers side needed complete replacement. I though this was a little unusual at 22,710 mi.

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  Solid and Dependable - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By tomahan - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Car has worked flawlessly,nothing but regular maintenance to date. Replaced original set of tires at 58k miles. Automatic transmission shifting good be smoother from low to high gear when power accelerating. Car is ugly, but very comfortable to drive.

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  My "Little Lincoln". - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Happy New Car Owner - April 15 - 10:00 am

  I call this car my "Little Lincoln". After enjoying the comfort and features of a Lincoln Town Car for 9 years, I did not think that I could find a car with all of the features of the Lincoln for around $25,000. I have been accustomed to space, comfort, and power when needed and 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis has all of that and more. For safety reasons I have always preferred to drive a big car. I am extremely pleased with the safety ratings on this car, including the addition of traction control and side air bags. Although I have only had this vehicle a few weeks I LOVE IT. It is fun to drive and I feel good in it. And I have received many compliments on my new car!

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  Bad MPG! - 2006 Mercury Monterey
  By jfturf - April 13 - 2:13 pm

  Its very average and the gas mileage (13 mpg city) is horrendous. Poorly placed cup holder for driver, poorly designed center console, too expensive for what it is. 3rd row seat is very close to the floor and is only suitable for small children. Even a small adult would have his knees in his mouth sitting back there.

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  Outstanding. - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Bobbby B - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This is an outstanding car. I put it the test and it has proved to be worth every penny i paid for it. Which wasnt very much anyway!