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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  fun car - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By goome - November 9 - 10:00 am

  great car.. a lot of fun.. ive had absolutely 0 problems

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  follow-up - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By vanillaice - November 9 - 9:50 am

  This car is so good, its like not owning a Ford. After 70,000 miles, exactly zero dollars and zero cents in unscheduled maintenance. Incredible value especially as a used car. High altitude seems to hurt the performance inordinately, but maybe its just me. A Toyota should be so reliable. Very large trunk is a little oddly shaped. This was done to fix exploding gas tank. Still, I wish they would do another work-around to bring back true "three body trunk" capability. Easily the best kept secret in the auto world.

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  Bought a Pretty Car & thats what I got! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Sara - November 8 - 10:20 pm

  I bought my 2000 V6 Cougar used and drove it for 2 years with little incident, nothing but routine maintenance. In the two following years I replaced the alternator twice ($600 a pop), manifold intake gaskets about $500, rear brake caliper broke causing brake failure (I would be dead if not for engine brake) $600 for new caliper assemblies and pads. I have also "run out of gas" - completely stalled - when going up hill with 1/4 tank of gas! Had my car towed to the shop just to have it start and run just fine, the second time I topped it up with a jerry can and it was fine. Not yet replaced a fuel pump but its not running well and Ive been told that or dirt in the fuel tank, well see.

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  Happy Mariner Owner - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By trublkkngt - November 1 - 3:02 am

  Weve been happy with our Mercury Mariner Premier. We bought it used in 08 with 9000 miles on it. It has been very reliable! No maintenance or repair issues. Its perfect to haul our two small children around. The only complaint we ever had was how LOUD the stock Continental tires were. We replaced them with General Grabber HTS tires and it significantly improved the ride quailty. If you have a Mariner, Escape or Tribute, do yourself a favor and dump the stock Continitental Tires as soon as you can!

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  good car - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By tabo - October 29 - 3:46 am

  i just bought this car after reading the numerous reviews.i think its a good car. my only only problem so far is the gas mileage especially now that prices are to the ceiling.the gas tank is really small,that means im at the gas pump every 250-300miles.the v4 is a good alternative if you just want the looks. nice overall design,seats are excellent.drives fast. cd changer is a little slow to change,load or eject cds.

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  My Sable - 1997 Mercury Sable
  By Jay - October 27 - 5:53 pm

  I bought my sable Valentines day and i was very iffy about buying one. but now i know with regular maintenance it should make it to end

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  Almost great but disappointing - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By jesse - October 26 - 7:46 pm

  Very nice fit and finish as well as peppy. Engine feels fine and steering is very good. The only problem is with the transmission. It is the worst trans I have every had in a car. It shifts when it shouldnt and doesnt shift when it should. Service told me that the problems I have explained to them are normal for the car. Other than the trans, I would rate the car a ten but because of such a flaw in a major component I would give it a 7 overall.

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  2000 Mercury Cougar V6 - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By auttie95 - October 25 - 5:02 pm

  I got this car for my first car and so far i had to replace my battery...spend $300 cause my engine light was on but come to find out it was my O2 sensors...my door sensors are all broken and my sunroof is broke...SUCKS ON GAS !!! it also makes a really weird noise when i start it up and the RPMS go crazy

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  outstanding - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By AMCS (AW) USN - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Ive had only one problem with my Mercury since 1999. I replaced the Idel control motor. A $89 part that took longer to drive accross town and pick up than to replace. It is the ideal family car. 27 miles to the gallon on the highway! More trunk space that you can imagine. Once you own one you will never buy a tin can again. I have replace the tires a little early on the wifes request. Outstanding car.

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  Third review, now at 80,000 miles - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By Almon - October 21 - 1:23 am

  This van continues to be the best auto purchase I have made over 40 years of driving.I have had two repairs over the past six years. A door lock and an AC compressor last year. Total for both $900.00. This van is solid on the road and comfortable for my 62" 250 pound frame. Interior is very flexible. Pick up and passing performance seems to have improved over the years. I average 16 mpg city and 23mpg highway.