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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  Safe, Comfortable, and Reliable - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By pcastoldi - March 13 - 5:16 pm

  I absolutely love my Grand Marquis and all of the features that it has to offer. Since I purchased this vehicle used, I got an excellent deal on it and with it a decent bundle of features that make this car a real joy to drive around with. I purchased it with over 63,000 miles on it and I now have over 74,000 miles. The seats are very comfortable; the trunk is carnivorous - one of the largest in the North American market; the ride is smooth; and the engine has plenty of power to cruise along the highway or pass any vehicles in your way. Combine this with its extreme reliability (I have not needed to do anything other than standard maintenance) and you have a winning combination! I love it!

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  nice looking car but it can be better - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By eric - March 12 - 12:03 am

  We bought a black V6 permier milan and drove it from Florida to Washington DC. No problem. The ride was fine. The rearview visibility is not very good. The car is very stylish from outside but if Mercury wants to compete Milan with Japanese and European cars, it needs to make further improvements to the interior design. For expamples, the a/c vents look cheap. The markings on them look tacky. They should just leave them blank. The marking (unlock) on the door handles also make them look cheap. Leave them blank. The trunk is roomy but the linning is poor. There are some exposed metals in the trunk. The carpet in the trunk is sloppy. Small details can really make a big difference.

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  Was nice - not now! - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Cindy L. - March 11 - 7:33 am

  Looked for 2 years until we decided on the Mountaineer. Really liked it, took it on many long vacations, very comfortable to ride in and drive for hours on end. Now at 110,000 miles, its all over. Trans is difficult to get back into park, wheel bearings shot, running boards cracked, back hatch cracked right down the middle. I can only afford to drive this thing when absolutely necessary. Went out and bought a $1500 beater to get around in. Ford does not stand behind their product. Too many complaints out there about bad transmissions and bad wheel bearings. Ford should recall and fix these continual problems before someone gets killed.

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Ridden In my life. - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Joshua - March 9 - 5:00 pm

  This vehicle Is not reliable. I just recently wrecked my wougar going 45 and ran straight into a electrical pole. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt did not lock in place for the passengers in the backseat. The Cougar is not a good vehicle for a first time driver. Do not buy this car for your teenage daughter or son. It crushes like a can. I put a dent on my front right fender by just leaning on it. It broke down many times for multiple reasons.

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  Gotta Admit... - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Krys - March 9 - 4:36 am

  Even with the price of gas this SUV is fun to drive. I love the power and speed this truck brings and the "Two- Tone" paint is a nice custom-look touch. Everyone one around here seems to have one. Very popular truck.

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  Love It - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By T. Pacoe - March 9 - 12:00 am

  I love my new car. It drives wonderfully. Nice and roomy inside, but doesnt appear too big from the outside.

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  Marquis - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By wrightchix - March 8 - 9:20 am

  Lost water pump at 98000. Intake manifold at 110000. Ford recalled intakes on police and livery use models only. Seats hard on bottom for long drives. Lost sensor at exhaust manifold a 63000. Lost sensor at catalytic 111000. Spark plug wires wear prematurely. Otherwise, A great car.

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  1999 Gran Marquis - A Great Ride! - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Dave C - March 7 - 10:56 pm

  I have had this car since it was new. The ONLY things I have done to it are tires, belts, hoses at regular intervals and a new battery. I have had gas mileage as high as 29.8 MPG at turnpike speed of 80 MPH. Dependability, great gas mileage and a luxury ride! I have bought another one! Consumers Reports Magazine rates the 1999 as a Best Buy used car. I agree.

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  Mercury Mountaineer - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By LJT - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the car and so far love it.. put almost 2000 miles on it the first week on a trip. Traveled with 3 other passengers and we all felt comfy. Third row seating is a plus for those times I need to pack more kids in, but dont put a big adult back there. Hidden storage in second row seating was nice discovery. As a former mini van mama, I find this car easy to get into with the running boards and easy to drive.

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  Milan Review - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Tom Eberhart - March 6 - 2:16 pm

  No acceleration, but cruises at seventy very smoothly and quietly. Handles very nicely. The exterior door mirrors are very large and get bumped a lot.