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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  Well Pleased - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By lawlabor - July 10 - 12:20 am

  I have had the car for two weeks now and couldnt be happier. The efficiency is precisely what was projected, the creature comforts have exceeded my expectations, and even my 9-year old son thinks the car is cool.

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  Keeps tickin - 2005 Mercury Sable
  By Chet - July 9 - 5:30 am

  Extremely dependable, a great highway cruiser w/mpg average 23-25. This is my 4th Sable and will easily last over 200,000 miles in my experience. Weakest link is the transmission. However, if you change fluids on time, tell her you love her once a week- she will love you back. Very high rating on dependability and safety. This is not your dads Sable.

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  superior - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By klm595 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed leasing and driving this vehicle very much, especially because I am 410" the gas and brake pedal come to me which makes the drive a very comfortable one. I am considering purchasing a 2003 when this lease is up in June 03--the vehicle I am driving is a 2000 leased 6/00--I am in the market for a 2003 to own not lease

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  great car! - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By ctbruce - July 7 - 7:50 am

  I love my car! It is the best value for the money. It is very reliable. I have never had one problem with it. Bells and whistles are many.

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  Good car for trips - 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Ron - July 3 - 4:03 pm

  I have owned the Mercury Marquis for 13 Months and its provided me with great transportation. Most of the driving is over the road and it gets 26 mile/gal. if I keep it under 70. Towe a 1,700# boat with no problem. I think it is the best car on the road for the money.

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  Smooth - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By DP - July 2 - 11:43 pm

  Absolutely satisfied. This car runs so quietly and smooth and it looks good. It is a nice blend of style and performance.

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  My Third Mountaineer - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Mike Koszalka - June 30 - 2:03 pm

  Having owned a 2001 then 2003 and now a 2006 , I can say that I have NEVER been disappointed in the quality and dependability that FORD MOTORS put into their products. Each of the past vehicles has been a marked improvement over the prior mode. I have never been disappointed. Having owned to Blazers proir to my switch to Ford in 98, I can say hands down that Ford definitely HAS A BETTER IDEA.....The ride the wear ans the maintainance are far superior in a Ford Product.

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  My Milan Rocks - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Jessica - June 23 - 2:33 am

  I love the Mercury Milan because the car is stylish and affordable. I like the sedans and dont want to drive a mom car. This car is comfortable and is quick!

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  Great SUV!! - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By rustyfan39 - June 22 - 10:00 am

  We have had our Mountaineer about a month-I had a Durango before that and loved it until someone tboned me! Researched every midsize to large SUV on the market,went back twice to see the Mountaineer.We were very impressed with all the safety features,especially the side curtain airbags.They offerred us such a sweet deal,we would have been fools to pass it up! This car drives like a dream and looks so good on the road! The kids love the DVD player w/ headphones-they are great on trips. I would reccomend the Mountaineer to anyone who wants a sharp SUV with great power and handling that drives like a luxery car!

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  MINI-ME T-C - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By pappy Z - June 22 - 10:00 am

  This has been a wonderful experiance so far. When I bought the car I needed the larger space that this car provides. I never thought that I would be getting a Towncar only $15000 less. Forget your front wheel drive and get back to what a car should feel like when you drive it.