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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  This is my fifth Ford vehicle. - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By big_scooter - April 13 - 4:53 pm

  The Mountaineer has more style than the Explorer, which is one of the reasons I chose this vehicle. It has plenty of power with the V8 and it is effortless to drive. It is very comfortable and roomy for a mid sized SUV. Gas mileage could be better, but the performance is worth it.

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  our first suv - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Donald Sistrunk - April 13 - 10:36 am

  We have had many new trucks and cars, but this is our first suv. Very pleased with the smooth ride and good handling. Since Im used to driving a big truck, the gas mileage id not bad. the few bad points I have against it are the small seats that bit too high. It feels like my head is always touching the ceiling. also the door handle is too low to be comfortable. overall I am still pleased with my purchase of a mountaineer.

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  Owner of Milan, 5,000 mile review - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By ron w - April 11 - 9:20 pm

  The outside raised saddle on the front seat creates excessive exterior left thigh pressure when sitting for 8-12 hours traveling accross country. I weigh 200# and I think the seat is to constraining. My 04 Sable leather seat was more comfortable and should have been a design benchmark. The cruise control, radio control and heater control on steering wheel are too small requiring to observe when setting. The size of the 04 Sable steering wheel controls were excelant. The lock/unlock controls on the key fob should be larger. In the dark, confusing which is which. The 04 Sable should have been bench marked. The remote trunk lid should pop the trunk open and not just a release.

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  Declining American Original - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By FlyinHawaiian - April 11 - 7:43 pm

  After having my offer turned down on a 98 Cadillac Deville dElegance, I setteled for this 2000 Grand Marquis LS. This car is loaded with most all options available: dual power seats, dark, charcoal leather, 6-CD changer in the trunk, aluminum wheels, climate controlled a/c, etc... I read in Edmunds.com that a loaded-up Grand Marquis is as good as a Lincoln Town Car, but for many thousands less. I agree!

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  mini-me4 - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By mnmyummo - April 11 - 5:50 pm

  The Grand Marquis I bought was smooth and quiet. The V8 though was noisy, effortless, and sometimes felt ungainly. But the cabin felt comfy, despite the unsupported front seat. The trunk was quite cavernous. Sometimes, though, the vehicle tilts when cornering at higher speeds, such as 30-40 mph, but overall the ride seemed stable and supple. All in all, the Grand Marquis is a comfortable touring car, but I do think better cars exist in its class.

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  Looks good, but thats about it. - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By CarlosSeoane - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought it October 2003 with 20,000 miles for $ 10,000. Thanks Goodness I bought an extended warranty, because a week after buying it the transmission blew and it cost the warranty 4,000 bucks to fix. It has 26,000 miles now and nothings broken yet, although sometimes it wont start easily and others it feels like its going to die on me when idling. I hate the fact that I cant trust my car.

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  THE BEST CAR EVER - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Mary Ann Petty - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1997 Marquie GS on July8,1997.I can not say enough good things about it. It has yet to give one minutes trouble. I get 20 plus miles to the gallon of gas. For a car this big I think that is great milage. The ride is wonderful. It manuevers easily in traffic. I would not get on an Interstate in any other car. I feel perfactely safe and secure in it. If I buy another car it will be another Grand Marquies.

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  old stylr - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jjajijic - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This car does have the leg room that my 99 Taurus Wagon, which has 120000 miles and no problems. The back seat leg room is very small compared to the Chysler Concode which have rented severa times The car is not exciting. I have always had a car that was different and I can say this has it. From 51 Riley to Cadillac limos, 61 Lincon Conv. I am looking forward to some thing that is not a old mans car. I am age 76 and still like sports cars, etc. \

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  1999 Mercury Mountaineer - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Sammiam - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Have had this car for about 4 yrs. Havent had any problems until the past month or so. Everything electrical is acting up. Current probs: front/back sprayer, back wipers, brights, back left blinker, back right brake light, left rear window all do not work. This seems odd that all of these probs would happen at once on a car thats not that old. Anyone else have these sort of problems?

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  Rosss (04) Maurader - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By Ross R. Raymond - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I have finally found the perfect car (for me),its big,beautiful and very responsive!,I also get what I consider good milage for a two ton plus car.