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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  Better than Expected - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By thomas otey - January 19 - 11:20 pm

  For the money, the looks and the performance this SUV is a very good deal. The interior is well fit, no squeaks ect., the leather still smells new and has held up very well. The AWD is exceptional in the snow and wet and my wife has confidence while driving it. More money than an Explorer but (I have had 5)worth the step up.

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  Been a good car - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By 99 Sable - January 16 - 9:53 am

  Had 51,000 miles on it when I bought it, 116,500 on it now. Power steering pump replaced a couple years ago, front wheel bearings needed replacing at 105,000, and having trouble with the heater now (think maybe the heater core is plugged). It also needs an exhaust manifold gasket at present. Thats about it other than normal maintenance like brakes, battery, etc. Been a good car, like the styling, rides and handles decent, runs good, has always started even at well below 0, gets dent gas mileage. Cant complain too much really.

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  Best Car Ever Made - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By Randy - January 15 - 11:30 pm

  After 10 years of faithful service, I am selling my van today to make way for a sporty new SUV. Based on reading other reviews, I obviously was lucky to purchase the best-built Villager ever. The original engine and tranny are still strong after 10 years, electrical works perfect, ride is smooth and quiet. This has been a noble, reliable friend to my family.

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  Great American Vehicle - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By Joe - January 15 - 5:00 pm

  My wife and I purchased a 2009 mercury mariner v6 voga this august. It rides great, has great performance, and is an all around good vehicle. It may not be as refined as some of the newer platforms on the market, but it gets the job done. We looked at toyota, honda, and other manufactures, but decided to buy american and havent regretted it. The distance to empty display is great, as well as the sound system. The ride is SUV like, and it is great in the snow.(16" of unplowed snow and didnt get stuck)

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  The Perfect Car - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Caitlin - January 14 - 2:00 am

  When I turned 16 in the fall of 2001, my parents bought me a white 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. I feel in love with the car immediately - something about being a new driver and having your own car. That car fit me perfectly. It was gorgeous, comfortable, and I felt safe in it. But early in March of 2003, I was in an accident. The other driver and I were both fine, but my beautiful car was not. It was totaled. The front of my car hit the right side of the other car - a small sedan. My Mountaineer did exactly what it was supposed to - the engine took the entire impact, and the interior of the car was untouched. I could not have wished for a better car.

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  My 5th GR MARQUIS - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By dadof9 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  My only real complaints have to do with the road/air noise on the highways. To the point where the radio/ CD are not enjoyable. Disturbing enough to make me think of another vehicle.

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  2006 Mariner a real joy to own - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By K-Shizzle - January 10 - 2:16 pm

  A true joy of a car to own and drive. A real plus is the fact that youll see 50 Escapes to your 1 Mariner. All Escape owners shirk as they notice the classy styling of the upgraded Mariner.

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  Big Improvement Over Previous Models - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Transpower - January 9 - 8:50 pm

  With the blacked-out B-pillars, the 2008 model looks more grown-up than the 2005-2007 models. The CD player is now in the center stack not under the passenger seat, the navigation screen is much bigger and is touch-screen and utilizes a DVD. There is a 110 volt power outlet, and automatic headlamps. The view is commanding. The handling is nimble. The fuel economy wonderful. There is sufficient power to pass tractor-trailers going up steep hills. The brakes have a good feel to them. The steering is well-weighted. The vehicle is very well-balanced front to rear.

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  Owned mine 8 years so far. - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By wallywow - January 9 - 7:30 pm

  Purchased this brand new. Excellent car. No breakdowns in over 8 years. All I did was routine maintenance. The coolant temperature sensor went bad 3 years ago, but everything still works fine. Surviving 8 Michigan winters with no rust, and the original exhaust system still in great shape is a miracle. If gas werent so high Id be buying another one. I do mostly city driving, but my car still gets great mileage on the highway. Its like driving in the safety of a tank with a sofa inside.

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  Awakening - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By tomcarroll - January 9 - 10:00 am

  great car most impressive style stand out features turn heads