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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  From Ford Escape to Premier - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By jjhckynut - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Liked the Ford Escape so well wanted to move up to a bigger SUV. After looking at the Ford Explorer there is no comparison between it and the Mountaineer. The Mountaineer has more creature features plus the good looks of the exterior. These include the grille/step up rails/grille over tail lights. Havent had it very long yet but looking forward to many enjoyable miles with this vehicle. This SUV is a winner.

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  None - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By Russell Wells - February 16 - 2:00 am

  it is fun to drive

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  Missing my Merc - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By macq - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I had been driving a Buick Park Ave for the last five years and became spoiled for a large highway cruiser. I wanted to get a Lincoln Towncar (mostly because, hey, its a Towncar) but found that the Grand Marquis was, basically, a Lincoln for alot less cash. So far, my only complaints are that it isnt as quiet as my Buick. There is annoying wind noise at highway speeds that make me want to turn the stereo up. Also, the factory tires spin on wet pavement when accelerating moderately from a stop. Unfortunately, I havent driven it in over 10 months since I have been in Iraq but looking forward to returning to those smooth leather seats soon.

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By garyw - February 15 - 9:10 am

  After test driving several cars, I chose the Milan based on the overall feel and value of the car. It is comfortable, quick, and handles very well. Having had mostly Toyota, Honda, Nissan in the past, this car was a pleasant surprise.

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  My Marquis is Junk - 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Sam - February 15 - 6:46 am

  This car is junk. I cant even start it half the time. The alarm system will not disarm. It had a water leak and smells like swamp water. There is nowhere to put anything. It is total junk. Ive already had to replace the exhaust system. It is basically $22,000 worth of junk. I will never own another. Thats a promise. Mercury will fix nothing. 36,000 miles and you own it baby.

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  So far so good. - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By pjy - February 13 - 11:43 am

  Good all around car, great bang for the buck. I bought it 2yrs old with 20k for 10k. Only replaced the wiper moter and the battery. When it is time to replace the tires go with the best tires you can afford it will make a world a differnce

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  Last American Car - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By D Vegas - February 12 - 8:23 pm

  Bought my 2nd one in 2004. Racked up 70,000 miles on the first one with no major issues. Paint does scratch easily on both years. Does not handle like a large platform, long wheel base provides the ride. Dual tuned exhaust provides the sound. Dual overhead cam power plant provides the mid range power.It is a bit slow of the line for a 300+ HP. Fortunately a number of houses provide some power enhancements for the vehicle for kid in us. I am somewhat a younger Marauder owner and would have preferred a better sound package and IP. Cup holders are not very good, like you get a chance to use them when hot rodding. Will bring you in to the dark side. High tire expense. Gas mileage is excellent

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  Precertified 08 Sable - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By RON TURNER - February 12 - 2:30 am

  I own a 2008 Ford Expedition EL, although I love the vehicle its extremely harsh on gas. Im averaging 10 mpg. Mostly I do alot of in town driving, so I decided to pickup something more fuel efficient and not drive my Expedition as much. I purchased a precertified 2008 Mercury Sable with about 14,000 miles. Ive had it for a little over a month. I love the car. Its spacious on the inside and my three kids ages 15, 12 & 5 have plenty of room in the back seat.The car came out of the rental fleet and Im dealing with an alignment issue, but other than that Im pleased with the car. I like it so well that Im already thinking 3 to 4 years down the road taking a serious look at the new Taurus

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  Love it! - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Kim - February 10 - 3:10 pm

  This car replaced a Plymouth Breeze, which had something major wrong annually. Ive had this for 3 months with many miles on it, and not a single thing has gone wrong. I have some quibbles about some of the interior features (no digital clock; no gear display above steering wheel, only near the shift), but this is overall the nicest car Ive ever owned.

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  Better than expected after 6000 miles - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By Almon - February 10 - 1:50 am

  Tested the Honda and Toyota competition. The Merecury ride, comfort, safety, performance are very competitive. The price is much better with incentives. I am over six foot and 240 lbs and I am very comfortable. Rides great at 80 mph on the interstate. Gettting 18 mpg in town and 24+ highway. Terrific interior and dash design. No defects or problrms at the 5000 mile service. Very satisfied with dealer service so far. So many features and good quality for the price. Rear seat flips and folds easily with one hand. I recommend this vehicle