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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  Mercury Sable- A very good American car - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By Bill Francis - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I think the Sable is one of the most underrated vehicles on the road today. I have test driven the new Camry and while I liked it, I much prefer the Sable for overall performance, interior style, and even the exterior styling in spite of being somewhat dated. It is still a very attractive car. This is our 5th. Sable, after a four year hiatus with two Lincoln Continentals. Believe me, there is no $20,000 difference in these cars, which is the variance in the sticker price of the two vehicles. I really wonder why all the Auto Rags talk up the rice burners and down-play the American iron. Buy American.

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  2005 Mercury Montego premier 2 whl drive - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By Les Cringan - December 13 - 8:23 pm

  Most problem is the reading the speedometer in the daylight, I believe they should have reversed the contrasts. Night is ok. The steering adjustment is awkward compared to the Lincon Town Car I had. It was a pleasure to drive.. The Montedgo rides fairly well and is comfortable. The side mirrors are difficult for my to see out of as they are very large and she is smaller than I even with the seat adjust, it does not help her. If they would correct the intrument lighting in day time I would be satisfied

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  chaddomans 98 is a definite winner - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By chaddoman - December 9 - 1:13 am

  Bought 3 yrs. ago from a good neighbor. New Michelins (white-walled) improved handling significantly from average/lacking to very good. Gas mileage exactly 27 mpg at 75 mph (pleasantly surprising). (I use Mobil- 1 synthetic oil.)Ranges 13 to 16 in town - a little disappointing. Replaced (slight-leaking) right rear axle seal at 48,000 miles during brake change. Otherwise extremely reliable. Very quiet at highway speeds. Very good braking. Well be buying a new/newer one soon. Also own much less- reliable and highly-expensive (operational and repair), dealer- gouging Infinity Q45. Sure, its more exciting to drive, BUT, BUT, BUT..! (Well soon be selling the Q to buy another Marquis-LS.)

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  Despite problems, I love this car - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By mu4120 - December 4 - 1:56 pm

  I rolled this car off the lot with 22 miles on it and nearly 7 years and 139,000 miles later I am still driving it. The transmission did go out around 64,00 and the fuel pump was replaced (both under warranty). Other than normal wear and tear, this car is great. People still compliment me on it, and I love to drive it. However I hate how small the backseat is. I now have two kids and its way too small, but we deal with it. I wish it took off faster and the mileage isnt real great - in my opinion. However it does the job and looks great and gets me from point A to point B. I hate buying tires because they are expensive with the 17 inch rims. But I still love the car, regardless.

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  Mountaineer -Great Ride - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By ceil Rydzewski - December 1 - 8:43 pm

  The SUV has given me no problems.I tow a 2-horse trailer and it pulls great. Why have a truck when the comfort and tow is all in this car. I am about to buy a new one

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  Couldnt beat the price - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By MerleB - November 26 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car with only 10,000 miles for $11,775. Lots of car for the money, couldnt have touched anything remotely comparable for the price. Remainder of factory warranty. Certainly not my dream car (BMW 740)but it is a great value.

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  The Car I LOVE & HATE - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By melifluffy - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Cougar brand spanking new and I thought it was the best thing I had ever done. For about 10,000 miles I loved my car and then my car became a regular at the Mercury dealers repair shop. I have had many many problems including bad breaks, a faulty gas gage, a malfunctioning fuel pump, alternator, leaking windows (which have yet to be fixed after 4 trips to the dealer), and lately my power windows have refused to go up or down. I will never recommend this car to anyone and I personally will never buy a car in the Ford/Mercury line ever again. Although my car is beautiful to look at, beauty doesnt keep this car running and/or out of the shop.

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  Solid Performer - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Steve D. - November 25 - 8:10 pm

  Purchases about two years ago with about 50K miles. Now at 120K and and very happy with purchase. Two repairs - one front wheel bearing at about $300 and a $600 complete brake job (front/rear rotors, and rear calipers). Otherwise, no problems. I do mostly highway driving and get about 20-21mpg with a V8 consistently. Comfortable ride. Good quality build. Amazingly, after 120K miles, no rattles or squeaks! Styling still looks fresh after 7 years. Bottom line - very solid SUV and a very good value.

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  140,000 miles and going strong - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By denx5 - November 25 - 6:56 pm

  I bought my 04 Sable in the spring of 05. It was a program car and I got a great deal on it. Its been absolutely problem free from day one. Only oil changes, 1 set of tires and 1 set of brake pads. It has really sold me on Ford products again. Currently looking for another program car just coming off lease. I saved a ton over new car cost and definitely got my moneys worth. Next car will be an 08 Sable, probably another program car. You know old ladies drive em so theyre not abused. Oh yeah, it seems like this 3.0 duratec gets better with age. The car feels like it has more power than it did at 20K which is how many miles it had when I bought it.

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  Mixed bag - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Joe Woelfel - November 20 - 8:46 pm

  The exterior styling and colors were very nice. I would choose something other than a light color interior. It shows low mileage wear badly. Great performance. Mediocre mileage both highway and city. Lots of road noise in the interior.