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 got more than I had expected. - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By RLDA - September 26 - 7:23 am

  Took her on a 3000 mile vacation. MPG exceeded the sticker--plenty of room-- and best of all, My wife (who has arthritis) was comfortable the whole time. Nice interior, a little noisy on start up, but a great overall experience. I wanted to buy a non- bankrupt American car (I own two BMWs). Ford is going to score on this type of performance.

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  2001 Mercury Cougar - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By RFarrell - September 25 - 8:30 am

  Had a 1999 Cougar. Bought the 2001. Large improvement in interior styling and feel(driveability). Could use some more power, but then again cant every car? I am very happy with my car. Handles well. Firm but not harsh ride. Nice styling. Good quality interior materials. A good value.

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  My 5th Sable - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By Nightowl - September 24 - 5:50 pm

  This is the 5th Mercury Sable I have owned. It is the one I have liked the best. The way it handles and the ride it gives is superior to other cars in its model group. Winter driving is safe and the anti lock brakes work very well. When you need power it is there.

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  Sable is a gas saver and comfortable car - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By Julian - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Comparing to our former Toyota camry,we find that The Mercury Sable is more comfortable on driving. Besides,the car is really an energy saver, our recorded data is about 21mpg at the city and 27- 28mpg for highway.

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  96 grand marquis - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By George - September 21 - 6:43 pm

  I bought my grand marquis used with about 87,000 miles for $2000. I replace the wiper blades, one rim with curb damage, and one missing side light, and changed the oil. It drove great till 117,000 miles. Then the plastic intake manifold cracked, leaking out the coolant. You can read more about this by googling intake manifolds, grand marquis/crown victorias. My engine must of over heated and warped or cracked a head. I dont blame my car, I blame Ford. I bought a used 4.6 engine with 118,000 on it and using info I found on the internet and my library, I switched engines. I have no experience doing this and it took me about 50 hours total. I now have 125,000 miles and it runs great.

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  Grand Marquis 2000 - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Shan - September 21 - 9:20 am

  This is our 3rd Grand Marquis. All have been excellent mechanically. Totaled one and came out unharmed. Noise level could be improved. Seam in leather seats hurt my back. Feel pretty safe on long trips.

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  Great Little Truck - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Rik - September 20 - 8:26 am

  After I addressed the mileage issue my changing to BFG Wranglers (my truck now gets 18-19 mpg) I now would drive it anywhere I need to go. I just got back from a family visit that took me from Jacksonville FL to Philadelphia and back, no problems. Mine currently has 134K and id parked next to my 93 explorer with 219K on its odometer. Lets hear it for Fords Truck division.

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  Still Outstanding! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Uncle Philly - September 17 - 4:10 pm

  This is still one outstanding vehicle. I have owned a Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, and several Pontiacs, and none of them compare to this vehicle. I have had zero problems with my Mercury. I could never say that with the other makes that I have owned. This car seats six in comfort, very smooth ride, huge trunk, excellent acceleration, very low maintenance, and gas mileage at 20 mpg city, and 26 mpg hwy. If you have a heavy foot you will be closer to 18 city/24 Hwy. They call this a Grandpa mobile....Ha! Why ride in a cramped, horrible riding, dinky mobile, when you can ride in comfort at a low price? Grandpas is so much smarter than you think, because he had this right!

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  Sablegram - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By The Airborne Rigger - September 17 - 3:46 pm

  This 2002 Mercury sable was fully equipped, moon roof was super, leather bucket seats up with CD console made long road trips pleasant. All features worked very well, Had great pick-up and over 25 mpg on the highway. Felt safe and secure in this vehicile. Fun to ride and safe on the crowded streets as well as the open interstates.

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  Transmission Blowout - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Karlina Dunston - September 14 - 5:23 am

  I own a Mercury Cougar and it has 58,000 miles on it. I always got the car serviced at the dealer, and the transmission went out on me with no signs. It just went out at 58,000 miles.