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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  Just a few weeks old but I love it. - 2010 Mercury Milan
  By New Mercury Owner - May 10 - 9:36 am

  Ive only had it 3 weeks and so far so good. Compared it to Malibu, Accord, Camary and it was the best. Modestly equipped (I-4, no moonroof, no sync ) I got it for under $20k with the incentives. Great handling and performance.

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  Realistic Review - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Realistic Reviewer - May 10 - 6:50 am

  Vehicle handling is excellent considering this is a SUV on a truck chassis. I drive this vehicle lighting most of the time and it gives me a very acceptable ride. When thrown around a bit it does show that the suspension does not quite adapt well enough and does bounce around slightly too much. Off roading ability is great, but nothing too impressive. Can easily get around 14mpg city with smooth driving, around 12mpg letting it loose sometimes. Overall this is a very satisfying vehicle to all but the most discerning people.

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  excellent buy - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By dmich - May 6 - 10:23 am

  well built suv, fun to drive very affordable price and great gas mileage, fords should build more of the these.

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  Dont buy it with big kids! - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Superhawk5 - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Bought it new and have had only two problems, the drivers seat belt wouldnt latch, dealer fixed it on warranty. I got some bad gas, three tanks of gas fixed it just like the owners manual said. I dont understand "the engine could use a little more oomph", my wife beat a Nissan 350 Z when she was going to the store. Awesome cornering capability. Keep the Firehawks on it, I got more than 80K miles out of the first set. Mileage exactly what the sticker said. Great value. Didnt get my son to sit in the back before I bought it. First drive in it, he hit his head on the hatchback window. At the time he was 14 and about 56". Now he will not sit in back.

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  My fifth in 20 years - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Dave - May 5 - 7:23 am

  I just bought my latest Grand Marquis after a death in the family and this is the nicest one yet. Decent mileage in a fun, reliable, comfortable car. My last four Mercurys never required mamor repairs and were as reliable as any car I can name.

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  Had to be a manual tranny - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By herbs milan - May 5 - 5:23 am

  i bought my vivid red base Milan back in October of 2007 as a dealer demo with 2914 miles on it, and I now have a total of 8000 miles. The gas mileage is outstanding, averaging between 21-24 in stop & go driving, and what a shocker, I get between 36-42 mpg on the highway. The car has a great ride, just make sure the tire pressure stays at 30psi. The power is just fine, as I have already gotten a speeding ticket while shifting gears. Aat 6-ft tall, the drivers seat is excellent.

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  Love These Cars! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By ActionTaxi - May 4 - 7:10 pm

  Someone in these reviews made a very good point. He said that cabbies and cops use these cars. I own a taxi cab business. Mercury Grand Marquis are simply reliable, fun to drive, powerful vehicles.

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  Mystique - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By David Svetcov - May 4 - 10:00 am

  The Leather Interior is a must, this car is as comfrortable is a BMW3 series. I liked it so much I would buy a used. I baught another Ford Contur SE Ford dropped the line. Too bad. A great vehicle. I would not rtecommend the 4 CYLINDER.

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  Love my Cougar! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Wandawoman99 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  In fact I love it so much, I am about to trade it in on a brand new one! I have never had any problems out of my 2000 cougar. It has been a fun reliable car for me. I am looking to buy the 2002 Anniv. Special real soon! So you can go look up my little Blue trade in and get you a really good car!

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  Totally Satisfied - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Dale K. Anderson - May 4 - 3:36 am

  I have owned about 20 Lincolns and Mercurys, have been generally satisfied with most, but disliked my 2004 Gr. Marq because the manufacturer cheapened the car by deleting standard equipment. By chance, a neighbor purchased a new Montego, allowed me to drive it and I decided THEN to buy. I settled upon the Montego Premier and believe that it is probably one of the best cars I have ever owned. It is solid,performing, comfortable, fuel- effficient car with safety features beyond any other car that I have owned.