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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  Get it while you can - 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By billccm - November 30 - 3:16 pm

  Nine years ago I went from a bullet proof Crown Vic into a Chevy Impala, which was a mistake. My Impala nearly fell apart at 90K miles, so it was a no brainer to return to the panther platform Ford. I have to admit that the convenience features of the Impala are missed such as console storage, homelink, and very functional cup holders, but the ride, and spacious interior make up for it in the Grand Marquis. I have to admit that I had forgotton about the old man jokes that come with this car (I am 40 years old).

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  Three Month Report Card - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By gwert - November 29 - 2:53 am

  Overall I love it but there are a few quirks: Tires:The Premier tires will cost over $1K to replace (more than my first car). Steering Wheel: I havent been able to really get comfortable with this one, I think the armrests are too low, which is odd for a telescoping s.w. 2007 model does not have universal garage door. The fuel guage is too small. The parcel shelf is too high, making the rear window too narrow. I would have sacrificed some room in the trunk to increase visibility. The satellite radio text does not scroll, which means you have to constantly push the button to check artist/song. Floor mats seem paper thin. No Glove box or key lights

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  Love My Mariner - 2007 Mercury Mariner
  By Gretchen - November 28 - 6:13 pm

  Having had a full size SUV, I like the more nimble, smaller Mariner. It is easy to maneuver, peppy, and fuel efficient. I have the rear sensor and heated seats plus keyless entry....what more could I ask for?

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  Built Tough - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By JKWHITE1971 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This is one solid car, its safe, has plenty of room and power and it will pass about any car on the highway. The Grand Marquis is so reliable that my 88 went 350k and was still running strong when I traded it into the dealership. This is basically a muscle car in the body of a full sized sedan.

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  6 Sables Enough Said - 2005 Mercury Sable
  By Ethan - November 27 - 2:40 am

  The 2005 Mercury Sable LS Premium is a very sturdy car with a great ride plenty of features to suit you witch includes power moonroof power drivers seat automatic headlamp system and keyless entry and much more i absolutely love the Sable i have had 6 since they came out in 86 a 86, 90, 95, 98, 01, 05 and they all are great cars and i think the 05 is the best yet with all the luxury features like wood/leather steering wheel and chrome rims and i like the style of the car and the taillamps and foflamps and headlamps and all the wood and chrome trims make the Sable a great looking car and at a great price the car was ove $27,000 and i was able to get it for $16,250 now thats a great deal

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  Crazy about a Mercury - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Nhizname - November 27 - 12:46 am

  My first Mercury and I love it. This vehicle is over the top in every way. All the options at the cost is just crazy. Gas mileage is great for an SUV, getting 21 around town and average 26- 27 on the highway. Love the leather and all the storage. Easy to carry a bunch of stuff and love it by myself. Had a problem with the back door split when shutting but was easily replaced and never a problem since. I cannot say enough about this car. It is luxury all the way.

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  Happy with my Villager - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By ecstatic - November 25 - 8:43 am

  Have owned since new. A delight to own and drive. Excellent build and quality control. Much fewer problems than my Mercedes and previous Nissan Quest.

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  Ill buy another one. - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By KXBill - November 22 - 4:03 pm

  Trouble free vehicle. Quite, simi-firm ride. Room for six big adults in back and two in front. Small person can fit in the front middle with ease. Love the large trunk. If I hold the spped around 60, I have made 28 mpg.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By impressed - November 22 - 10:50 am

  Got my Mountaineer last weekend. Loved almost everything about it - the very quiet interior, the ride and handling, and the power. Had owned a 2003 Explorer and thought the redesigned rear suspension was going to spoil an already good thing. I was pleasantly surprised. My only complaint is the interior door pull handle. The location is very awkward and an afterthought.

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  98 Mercury Mystique Sport - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By MystiqueSport98 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I got my Mystique in Aug 2000. It had 14K miles. Since then it has been 100% reliable and a joy to drive. It currently has 60K miles & the only mechanical problem was when the O2 & fuel sensors had to be replaced Sept 03. I drove it through the worst road conditions I have seen in Jan 02. 12 hours to travel 400 miles, counted 38 accidents, but my car didnt slide once. Had a bad accident with my beloved car last Wed and it may be totaled, but it saved me and I was able to walk away.