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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  never buy this car - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jeff - March 20 - 10:26 pm

  Had the suv for a little over a year.Transmission and a few other problems fixed a month ago while under extended warranty. Warranty ran out a month later and right wheel berring is bad, heater coil is leaking and ac coolant is leaking. I like the suv but its having nothing but troubles. I called Mercury about the problems and they said there was nothing they could do for me. Never buy anything ford or youre stuck with it.

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  Fully loaded included - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By bpmiller87 - March 18 - 9:10 pm

  I bought this car used and absolutely love it. In my opinion everyone thing is right where is should be. The stereo controls are easy to find, importants gauges or readings are located near each other, so you dont have to search for what you need to read. I have the optional v8 which is great for towing and will throw you back in your seat real quick! Leather comes standard, 3rd row comes standard, heated mirrors, tons of storage, it has it all and then more, great SUV.

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  Year two with the G/M - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jesse - March 18 - 3:40 pm

  I purchased my very low mileage Grand Marquis almost 2 years ago as a cheap car just to go back and forth to work. Ive since realized that this car is not a cheap car. Its very well constructed, Very reliable and gets excellent fuel mileage for its size. I drive 66 miles to work a day and Im 64" so I needed something comfortable and good on fuel....my truck was very thirsty so I bought this second car. Im very glad I did now...I love the car and hardly ever drive my new truck anymore as a matter of fact Ive only put 2000 miles on my truck in the last year....thats how much I enjoy driving this car.

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  This is an excellent vehicle!!! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By BLuckyV13 - March 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle to be my college vehicle and I have been more than satisfied. The handling is great. It is a sporty vehicle but isnt considered a sports car making your insurance cheaper than a "sports car". Ive driven this vehicle for 4 years now and had no major problems with it and I recommend it to anyone.

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  GREAT VALUE - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By oldmarine5 - March 16 - 3:04 pm

  Purchased new and garaged in Florida. Driven mostly around town. Averages 20 MPG. Bought to carry six people and does so comfortably. Most dependable car I have ever owned. Has extra chrome plus gold package and looks like new car. I also own Infinity M37X, Toyota Sienna and BMW Z4. I particularly enjoy driving the Mercury which elicits smiles from my family.

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  Carols critique - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By Carol York - March 13 - 11:03 am

  Mileage not as good as expected Like the large windshield Would like to have a digital dash (totally) Seatbelt placement is good Very quiet ride

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  Gentlemans Hot Rod - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By Fman - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Mild enough at idle to not scare youngsters, but loud enough when you step on the gas, that bystanders know this is not just a Grand Marquis. Everywhere I go, I get complimentary comments about my Marauder. Once the rpms exceed about 3000, this motor literally screams. I traded a supercharged 3.8 Pontiac SSEI for this vehicle and find it superior in all categories...about the same on mileage, but I didnt buy it to make great mileage. A bonus...while coming up fast on traffic on the Interstate, many will move over-not sure if Im one of the "stealth" police Crown Vics ;)

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  Anonymous looking...a BLAST to drive - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By goggomobil - March 10 - 9:10 am

  4 cyl Zetec with the CD4E automatic trans. Looking for a small but not cramped car, We chose a red Mystique. Although the styling isnt avant-garde, it is still an attractive car. The car had 108K miles when I test drove it. In spite of this, it was tight and was as devoid of squeaks and rattles as one could expect. What impressed me right away was how well it held the road. I took it around the perimeter of the GM Proving Grounds, got it up to about 55 mph and YANKED on the wheel, serpentine fashion. This car was absolutely stuck to the pavement. It is kinda light on horsepower, but its the best everyday 4 door car I have ever driven.

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  Great powertrain, but poor assembly - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By VG - March 7 - 6:23 pm

  Just sold after 9 years. Nissans design and the solid and reliable Nissans powertrain were the other reasons why I bought it and they surely stood up strong. However, my first years under warranty have been spoiled by constant trips to the dealership to have a dozen of minor assembly items fixed. It just seemed that the van was put together in a hurry and things were constantly falling apart - CDs skipped on minor bumps, headlights had leaks and failed, windshield cracked from an edge, speed steering rattled at high speed, etc. Once all those things have been fixed, the van has became fun and proved to be a real work horse.

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  UK driver great first American car, when i have it - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By davidscouse - March 6 - 7:52 pm

  My mrs got a Chevrolet Astrovan few years ago so decided to find an American car for me. Had it for nearly 4 years now. Been great to drive BUT is a gas guzzler, had to replace brake pads and discs which i think is wear and tear, also had some other matters to do with exhaust and suspension fixed. Windsreen wipers come to life by themselves and is infuriating. Now i have to replace front wheel bearings, and replace rad after leak which needed to be imported from USA. ABS light comes on frequently. Does not sound too promising especially when i have to take it to a specialised garage and is away for a month at a time. On plus side its bigger than UK vehicles and fast. Comfy and solid