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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  Great mini van - 2000 Mercury Villager
  By John - April 24 - 9:13 pm

  Our Villager is now 7 years old and has 124,000 miles without any major problems. Only work done was two sets of front brakes. Great looking and riding mini van.

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  Sad to see it go - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jolin - April 24 - 12:33 am

  Ive had my SUV for over 5 years now and its the best thing Ive ever owned. Never once left me stranded & only had to fix normal things like tires, battery, brakes, & spark plugs. Would love to keep it but the family is too big and we need a 3rd row now. If I could buy new I would just order one that way. I think I will cry when I trade in this week. Currently at 92,000 miles and still going strong. Back wiper never quite worked right & light bulb issue on the dash but the stuff that really mattered and would cost a lot to fix stayed strong. Hope to own another one some day.

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  1st time Mountaineer owner - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By 1st time Merc owner - April 22 - 2:06 pm

  Weve been SUV drivers forever, live in rural area, and this has been a nice surprise. Purchased this Mountaineer replacing our Ford Explorer that had 170,000 plus miles. Took it on its first road trip to the mountains for skiing and the comfort level was top notch. We are also impressed with the quiet ride this SUV has as opposed to our older Explorer. Average gas mileage on this 500 plus mile trip ranged between 18-22 mpg which is what we are used to with SUVs. Love having the reclining second row seats in this Mountaineer since we didnt have it on the Explorer. Cargo space was great for all our ski gear.

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  2003 Mercury Marauder - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By GH - April 21 - 5:23 am

  Bought mine new in October 2002. Just broke 39000 miles in August 2007. No real issues. Electrical system cant keep up with electrical load at idle. Reason is Marauder alternator has built in slip clutch, allows more HP at idle and top end. Pop it in neutral and step on emergency brake. Quiet and tight car. Go to Ford and purchase Police Interceptor badge for $10.00, slap it on and see the cars slow down. Car has been looked at by CHP, FHP, local PD, none has ever said take badge off. They ask wat kind of car it is; I show badge, say a Police Interceptor, open hood show engine, they say Oh yeah. Wish it came with Mustang 390 HP engine.

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  Beats my SanteFe any day - Love it - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By ggma1126 - April 20 - 9:00 pm

  Just picked up mine yesterday. Fully loaded with navigation system and satellite radio - am really loving it. coming from an suv I am still getting used to driving a car and being down low again. cabin quiet not much road noise. waiting to see what kind of gas mileage I will be getting as most of my daily driving is highway .

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  Wonderful Car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Liz - April 17 - 9:56 am

  I just bought my Cougar last January, and I love it. It drives and handles great. I also learned that on long trips the gas mileage isnt as bad as you would think. I have drove it from North Carolina to Nevada with no problems. Now I am about to drive it from Nevada to Washington and so far the car seems like it has no problems this time, even after not being drove for 7 months. I just wish that the cup holders in the front were better. Besides that its a great car.

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  Montery Luxury - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By Fords4ever - April 17 - 2:00 am

  A nice step up from a Windstar SEL. Better featurers more power better trans. The ride is better and it is quieter inside. We are very pleased with the improvments.

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  wish we wouldnt have bought it!! - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By crsharp - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Wish we wouldnt have bought it. During the first month of ownership it was in the shop twice for motor/transmission problems. Here it is, 9 months later and it needs engine work again!! prior to owning this car we loved our Taurus, but because of this experience we will never own another Ford/Mercury product!!!

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  Mercury review - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By dlpeters - April 15 - 10:00 am

  No problems with this 2002 vehicle. Economy is great at 25 mpg. comfort and styling also great. Dealer went out of business shortly after purchase.

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  Milan is a very competitive car - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Mark - April 14 - 6:30 pm

  My 2002 Neon was paid off for 8 months and I was happy not having a car payment, but I bit on the 0% financing and am not looking back. I knew this would be a car I keep at least 5-7 years so I wanted to make sure I can pick every feature I possibly can, as well as make sure it will be a car I that will age well. I test drove a few cars and felt the Milan was the best choice, as well as best bang for the buck. The car is very stylish, and I enjoy the ride. I have the Premier package and love all the features (heated seats, auto dimming mirror). Its a great car all around. Ford has its act together when it comes to the Fusion/Milan. You owe it to yourself to at least test drive one.