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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  Jias Mountaineer - 2010 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jia - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I replaced my 08 Explorer with a 10 Mountaineer. Even though I live at 5280 ft ASL my little 4.0 V6 runs like a rocket and this truck is beautiful. Gas mileage is what you would expect for a truck, about 14 MPG around town but I use it mainly for going to the gym, shopping, etc. Lots of room in the rear for big stuff and a DVD-video player for the grand kids (someday). Might be the last SUV I can buy with a truck frame under it. Nice sound system with bluetooth for hands-free phone. With the moon roof open I feel like Im outside. Well protected with front and side airbags. This quiet truck will take my anyplace I need to go.

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  WOW! - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By Wow - December 13 - 10:00 am

  By far the best car i have ever owned. Its great year round, i have yet to have a problem with it. It looks great inside and out. With the sleek design. This car would be great for any family, older or younger person.

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  Runs like new - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Rick - December 10 - 9:46 pm

  I fell in love with my dads 85 Gran Marquis and wanted one ever since. Although I bought my 95 car used a couple years ago with 81,000 miles on it, it runs like a dream. I did have to have the trans rebuilt but it is a small investment to a car that is otherwise mechanically sound. I havent had a problem with it since. With regular maintenance and oil changes, the car more than serves me well. I love it!!

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  Great - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Cougar - December 10 - 3:36 pm

  Great Car. To the person who bought their Cougar with 100K miles and ripped it for "poor quality". Anyone who buys a car like a Cougar with 100K miles and expects it to be "ok" needs to research more. And to think Ford should repay the customer who bought a used car with 100K is just down right funny. By the way, my cougar didnt start having troubles till 120K miles. Got rid of it in 2008 cause the tranny went out. I loved that car, no problems till 2008. If you keep up the maintenance on any car, it will last.

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  Great, Reliable, Affordable - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By david689 - December 9 - 11:30 pm

  I drive my Cougar every day, 60 miles each way almost with no problems. Gets pretty good mpg. Sporty and safe, the Cougar is the best of both worlds. Not too roomy inside but thats expected.

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  lotsafun - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By fblumberg - December 9 - 2:00 am

  got dennis reinhart upgrade#1 needs new double exhaust and sway bar for stage 2 eventually a vortek system for 45o hp gotta love it... id buy another for a 2nd car... traded a 2001 towncar for it im 45 so its like the cars i grew up with..

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  EXCELLENT CAR FOR THE $$$ - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By ANTHONYN925 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  BETTER THAN THE FORD MUSTANG. YOU REALLY DONT SEE THAT MANY OF THEM ON THE ROAD, SO WHEN YOU DO, PEOPLE STARE ALITTLE LONGER AT THE 2001 COUGAR.

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  Problems never addressed - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By tools1 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  A consistant problem is the head gasket on the 4,6 liter engine. it commonly leaks and costs +/- $1,500 to fix. Ford also used a plastic manifold that crack with wear, which cost $500 +/- to fix. The last problem is a brake line bracket on the rear crossbeam that can cut & ignite the gas tank during a severe rear end crash. Ford has recalled and fixed public vehicles but has not done the same for everyday consumers. Overall I would never buy this vehicle Ford or Mercury ever again.

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  hi - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By johny - December 9 - 2:00 am

  the car is alright it juust needs more power and a different body style.

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  Happy Mountaineer Owner - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By dk - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Like the SUV, after almost 50,000 miles. Had persistent problems with noise in the front suspension at first. taken care of with nothing since. Have 6 cyl, 4.0 liter - gas mileage is great for a SUV. 22-26 hiway, 16-18 in city. We found that aspect just great