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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  2001 Grand Marquis LS - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Sarandos - November 26 - 6:10 am

  This was our first large sedan. We found it to be luxurious and very comfortable. Mil age was a pleasant surprise at 21 mpg around town and 27 mpg on long runs (8 cross country trips). Generous trunk space is a plus for long, extended trips. We had one traveling mishap; on the first return trip from out West the transmission went out. We stopped at a nearby town where the transmission was replaced in a couple of days. We were loaned a car to get around with and treated well. Upon our return, I submitted bills for hotel and meals which were promptly paid. Over all we found the car to be everything we wanted and a bit more. As a result of our good experience, we purchased a 2006 Grand Marquis

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  Grand Marquis - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Ruth Williams - November 25 - 7:33 am

  Driving experience very good. Passengers always comment on how nice it rides. Gas mileage very good. Curve at top of front doors is dangerous, people have had bad knocks.

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  My Mercury Sable Experience - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Machoii - November 23 - 6:43 pm

  This car has performed beautifully. No major repairs. Required 2 minor repairs during entire ownership, both under warranty. I am not happy with the leather interior, in that one small section on each door had to be replaced, having loosened and came off. Had to have front-end alignment package installed before being aligned. This equipment should be standard.

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  An American Classic - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Nils Klykken - November 23 - 4:50 pm

  Overall rating: Excellent! Great value. Stylish exterior design. The leather seats make the cabin a distinctly comfortable place to enjoy the view. A very quiet ride. The optional air suspension permits the driver to feel the road without having to experience any of its pitfalls. The Lincoln/Mercury dealership network is consumer driven and recognizes the value of customer satisfaction.

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  Great starter car. - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Enos - November 23 - 10:36 am

  Bought this car new to ride in college and have enjoyed it quite a bit in the 6 years I have owned it. I had a problem with the exhaust within the first year and the part was recalled I think. Since Ford payed for the replacement and I have had no problems since, I am quite satisfied. I find the car to be one of the most comfortable I have ever driven but I am a bit short at 57" 170 pounds. Its definitly not meant for bigger people. The steering radius leaves a little to be desired and if you stick to the factory recomended tires, they can be quite expensive to replace. Those aside, I am very happy with the purchase and recomend it to anyone who isnt under 510" 250 pounds.

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  Down from an Olds 88 - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By Taffy2 - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I had hoped that buying the top of the line would get me some extras...not so! With all the indicator lights in the cockpit, the designers forgot about putting a light in the glove compartment. I am very disapointed in the hesitation when you press on the accelerator to go. There were cosmetic blemnishes in the paint that should have been seen by the dealer.

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  Cougar - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By nnnnn988 - November 22 - 2:23 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this car since I bought it. The transmission went out, the moonroof has never worked, the steering column only moves about an inch or so, it is uncomfortable, and does not drive smoothly at all. At this point I have put more money into this car just trying to keep it running than I paid for it. I am looking to get rid of it but the trade in value is practically nothing. I am not happy at all with this car.

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  OVER 164,000 miles & STILL going! - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By john_adams - November 22 - 10:16 am

  I bought a 2002 Mercury Villager with 150,000 miles on it last year. I was amazed at how quiet and smooth it was. This vehicle is clean and runs better than my much newer vehicles of the past. With the high miles, I only paid $2,600 for it. It, now, has over 164,000 miles on it, and still runs super! The gas milage could be a little better, but I still love this mini van!

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  Nice ride - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By busingernate - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Fun car. Im 16 and I love this car. It handles like a race car around tight corners, and excellerates smoothly. The ride is rough but thats what you get with a sports car. Fuel eco. isnt too great in the summer because of use of the A/C. Overall its a great car!!

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  Transmission is Terrible! - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By sucker - November 22 - 2:53 am

  I love this SUVs design and ride. I HATE THE TRANSMISSION! Ive had it in the shop numerous times with transmission issues - bad sensors, replaced parts, etc etc. Now it shudders when shifting into overdrive and has started to shift hard when in first gear or going into reverse. Guess what? Just told by delearship that I need a new transmission! Ive had 3 Fords/Mercurys over the years and 3 Fords/Mercurys with transmission problems. I wont be a buy of theirs again. FIX YOUR PROBLEM FORD!!!