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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  LUV IT! - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Peggy - December 27 - 5:30 am

  Its about what you need. This meets all my needs with its style, p/up, leather, sunroof, back window defrost and wiper. I am a small person so it is plenty big enough for me interior wise. It has almost zero blind spot. I luv it!

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  Loyal Marquis fan - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By William Balla - December 27 - 2:03 am

  This is my third Grand Marquis and I have never been disappointed in any of them. Others cant come close to the comfort and smooth ride that this car gives. A very dependable auto.

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  LSE more fun! - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Chris Raaths - December 24 - 1:30 pm

  This is my 4th Crown Vic/Marquis. Engine had more power than before. This one has the LSE package, similar to HPP package, but buckets and a floor shifter, like the Crown Vic Sport. Handles much better than previous models. Fuel economy about the same, with more power. Seats are comfortable. Sound system is good. Fuel economy is do-do around town (as these cars have always been so-so) about 18 mpg. On the highway, 26 mpg. Better choice comfort and MPG wise than my old Tahoe.

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  What Happened? - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By oh so sad... - December 15 - 10:23 am

  I love my 2001 Cougar, shes beautiful! But please, be careful. Mine only had 70k miles on it, I took it for a 500 mile trip to Canada, and the engine blew up on the way home. Absolutely no warning signs, my warning lamps and gauges didnt show anything. The engine started making a knocking noise, we pulled over and the oil and belts were smoking, and the radiator fluid had boiled out. It was towed, and I was told I needed a new engine. I have found more and more people with the same problem. Due to an engine defect, the head gaskets leak, and allow water into the oil. A bearing in my engine literally disintegrated because of the heat and friction this condition caused.

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  dont buy it! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By daveyzstar - December 14 - 10:00 am

  this car is so much fun to drive, when you can drive it. two weeks after i bought it used with only 27,000 miles, i had to replace the transmission. shortly after that the brake pads, and most recenly the alternator. i also had to put in a new stereo because the cd player didnt work. the doors leak, vents pop up, and the remote doesnt work.

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  !Highway Trip Car! - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Fordy - December 6 - 9:03 pm

  I bought it to make highway trips, and that is what it excels at. I would not buy this for cruising around town. This car is built to do speed, and to have a sure foot on the highway, and it does with the right tires, not Michelin. It has aggressive gearing I like to get acceleration, and to be able to do 140 MPH. The ride is great and quiet on the highway, not the best, but up there. This is best bought as a Used vehicle since you get the best deal for the value. I only recommend the Ultimate edition, because this car is not worth the money without all the goodies. Plenty of room width-wise, no bumping elbows. Big trunk for all you luggage.

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  So far so good - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By mandanstan - December 2 - 11:56 am

  Just bought the car from an individual a few days ago, and enjoy it so far. It handles very well, but, just like everyone else says, it doesnt have the most get up and go. Its definitely a reliable A to B car, but dont go racing anybody. The seller said it was his daughters car and she had never had any problems the 2 years that she had it.

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  Hertzs Loss, My Gain... - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By The Big O - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car from a local dealer, that had bought it back from Hertz. It had 17,925 miles, and got it for $11k. Took it to Illinois to my brother-in- laws wedding that same week. Vulcan V6 did well with 4 adults and one flower girl. Tighter handling/smoother ride than 2002 Ford Taurus counterpart. Interior in two-tones is very pleasant.

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  A lot better than you think - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By LAWNGUYLANDER - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Whats not to love about this car? Performance is great from the 260 hp v6. Acceleration/passing is quick. Ride quality is a perfect balance of not too tight/too soft. The cars exterior styling has a "high-end" German look about it. The cabin looks/feels luxurious with the wood accents and two-toned leather seats/door panels. The seats are exceptionally comfortable with the heated, and power recline options. The options include dual hvac, power adjustable pedals, power moonroof, memory seats, traction control. The sound system is awesome, powerful, clear, with a bass Punch that makes your ears hurt on vol =4. The trunk is massive, we got a hand truck, 15 gallons of paint and still had room.

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  2nd Villager - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By drdong - November 28 - 1:38 pm

  Totaled the 1996 LS with 210K on it. Bought a "cheapie" donated 1999 for short term but love it inspite of the intermittantly sticky gas pedal. Have decided to keep her and put in new: irridium spark plugs and wires, rotor, cap, CV joints, front struts, rear shocks, Michellin Hydro Edge tires w/life time balance, timing belt, radiator hoses, thermostat, trans service and regularly change oil and filter. I want to put disk brakes in the back and looking for a "chip" to increase horse power. Am I a little nuts? Cheaper than new car payments yes?