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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  NO! - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By ptrybk - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car with 15,000 miles on it 3.5 years ago and today it is junk. It was a constant nightmare. The timing belt, sensors, struts, spoiler, overhead interior lights, broken power windows, and numerous other electrical problems ended up costing a fortune in repairs. Last week cracked gaskets enabled antifreeze to leak into the oil, which totally destroyed the engine. For a car with slightly less than 90,000 miles on it (that has been regularly serviced throughout the years), it ended up being a major disaster. PLEASE think twice if you are considering the "Mistake" as my friends have come to call it.

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  New Engine after 3000 Miles - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jim - October 12 - 12:30 am

  I bought my Grand Marquis new it was an 08 left over. I took the car in for an oil change, and a slight knock. after a three day diagnosis, came to find out that the #5 cylinder went bad. Ford approved a new engine to be installed can not find out if in fact a new engine is being installed or if its going to be a rebuild! Tried to get dealer to let me trade into something else, but after owning car for 6 months they said it depreciated $ 8000, so getting new engine, let see what happens!

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  Comfort - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Otis H. Smith - October 11 - 9:33 pm

  Ive owned many different types of cars in my 74 years. The Mercury has rear wheel drive, which I prefer over any front drive. I drive cross country a lot and I need the large trunk. The V8 engine is strong and smooth and gets decent mileage (18 - 25). Handling is very good for such a large car. Turning radius is a bit high (40 ft or so) which occasionaly complicates parking lot maneuvers a bit. Ride is very comfortable but the car is not "wallowy" and handles curves very well. ( I owned an Infinity G35 before - the Mercury doesnt handle as well but I dont need a race car. Couldnt drive like that anyway.) Im very satisfied with this car. Im not decrepit but I dont need a BMW.

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  A lot of car for the money! - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By Wynn - October 10 - 10:53 am

  I bought my Sable on July 7 and continue to be amazed at the performance and features. The transmission is silky smooth and seems designed for highway mileage. Front passengers door unlocks with pull of the handle again--terrific! Vehicle is so quiet the Pirelli tire noise is noticable on some pavement. Performance of the new headlights is great.

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  My New 2002 Mercury Cougar, V6 Base - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By garym1j - October 10 - 10:00 am

  I just traded a 2000, with 29,200 miles, for a 2002, same color, base model V6. The 2000 was a sports model with the big tires which I found a little noisy with a rough ride. The 2002 base model has smaller tires which are very quiet with a smoother ride. The stereo system in the 2002 model I bought is very much improved with disc and tape. I can even hear it now due the the reduced road noise. I bought the car to refresh the warranty and enhance trouble free driving.

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  Made it Ma, top of the world - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Stosh - October 10 - 10:00 am

  Just like James Cagney said in "White Heat"...Top of the world. I have had many cars in my lifetime, but this is the most reliable, best looking, most comfortable automobile I have ever owned. Looks like Im here now and will keep buying the Grand Marquis as long as they keep making them

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  What a package! - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Jerry - October 9 - 5:33 pm

  Mariner Premier V6 is loaded with features for the money. I previously owned 4 Mazda products and wanted a Tribute but dealer could not locate a Grand Touring V6 in 3 states. I now feel the Mercury (based on Tribute) is the better choice. More features and more upscale look. Im very pleased.

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  Best large car for the money - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By wpd8458 - October 8 - 9:00 am

  I have just traded my 2006 Toyota Highlander in for a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, this is the best large vehicle around. Comfort and space combined with tasteful styling make this car a great buy. It is like driving on a cloud.

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  Cougar get an A+ - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By hiney1015 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I have had my cougar for around a month now, and it is great. It is a very fun car to drive (its a v6 5speed). Its definately got nut when you want it to. The back deats are real comfortable, big trunk. If the backseats are folded, its bigger than my bed. The only thing I do not like about the car is the center console, its kind of a pain. Other than that, its all good.

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  Grand Marquis - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jcarey - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I owned a 1997, 1999 and 2001 Grand Marquis Ulitma and today 10/13/02 purchased a new 2003 Ultima. So this should attest to my experience with this automoble.Total milage 1997-2001 models 244000 miles.