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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  Love my Mercury - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Nancy - November 18 - 10:30 pm

  Fun car to drive! love the radio/stereo controls on the steering wheel, high seating, heated seats, and two tone leather interior. Only draw backs thus far for me is the disappointing gas mileage. Unlike others that are claiming high 20s I only get 19-20 mpg for mixed city/hwy (I figure it with every fill up.) It handles well, is very comfortable, love all the cup holders too! Ford really got this one right!

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  It has been a good car. - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By MercMan - November 15 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this new in 1995...now have 103,000 miles on it. The only "out of the ordinary" repairs have been a broken hinge on the sliding door, a small fuel leak under the hood, and a broken rear AC/heat motor (seems to be a common one). The ride remains good. I have never kept a car this long. Overall it has been an excellent car to own.

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  Old School V8 Sedan - Very Rare today! - 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Sanjay Mukherjee - November 7 - 10:06 am

  I always wanted to drive large 1970 styling cars like the 1975 Impala and cars of that era. I was surprised to find this car still in production! The Mercury Grand Marquis is for those who love old fashioned large V8 sedans and i bet this car will quench your thirst.

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  good van - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By -=$PEED=- - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought this van used at 80,000 KM and have put on 5000ks already, it was well worth the 10 grand and it has nothing wrong at all with it. The audio system could use some work, and the back speakers are almost impossible to change, but the rear sliding seat it perfect for my families lifesytle of allways being on the move.

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  A great car at a great price - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By ScottyRS - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is a capable road car for the package. I drive a lot on all sorts of road and this vehicle takes it all on with confidence.

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  Good Car...Could Be Better - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By u26255 - October 24 - 9:26 pm

  I get around 30+ mpg. on highway. I drove 300 miles on a trip and averaged 32 mpg. with air blasting and speed average of 70-75 mph. Thats good for a v6. The sound system is good. I like the mp3 outlet. There is plenty of storage space and great trunk space. The city mpg is terrible. I average 17 mpg. in city driving. The dash and doors rattle terribly and I drive very carefully as to not hit large bumps hard. The dealer cant fix it. The cloth seats are cheap, period! It needs a digital clock in the radio. There is a storage compartment on top of the front dash. I cant wait for that to also rattle. What a stupid place to put a storage compartment.

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  Solid car for 8 years - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By Scott - October 23 - 9:36 pm

  A very nice looking van with a bulletproof engine, very luxurious fully loaded van with leather, trip computer, moon roof, front and rear AC, power seats,

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  207,500 and Going Strong - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Ralph - October 22 - 8:46 am

  Bought the Merc at 70,000. Car has been the most reliable I have ever owned. Wife loves the soft ride. I wish it had a handling package. Fuel averages 24 on highway. Good for a Big car. Interior is very comfortable. Cupholders block Climate control access. No problems at all. Still has original Starter and Alternator. I will buy my 3rd and 4th GM soon. I will get LS model for my wife and I will get a used Marauder for me. Great Car!

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  2007 Grand Marquis, Great road car - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Real Cowboy - October 13 - 5:23 pm

  This is my first Grand Marquis and I think its a great car. People seem to want to talk about how it has a lack of handling with some roll in the corners or how it should look more sporty or its lack of power. This is a large semi luxury vehicle, its not a race car. This is a great road car and when buying a nice comfortable vehicle these points are mute. If you want a sporty suspension with more power then doint buy it, but if you want a vehicle that delivers a good ride, decent fuel economy (for its size at 25 mpg highway) and plenty of room for the family at a reasonable price then this is the car for you.

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  From Lexus to Merc - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By Gordkeys - October 11 - 5:40 am

  I wanted all wheel drive in a comfortable smaller SUV. I had a lexus sedan and wanted to go American. My wife leased a Mariner recently and is in love with it. I rather liked it more than I thought I would, and found few vehicles that were as functional, comfortable, and well priced as the Merc. Also the 0% financing was a strong motivator. Its surprisingly good, and I dont miss the Japanese competitors. I am hoping to say that in years to come. Go Ford.