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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  good value - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By mbailey1 - December 31 - 12:46 am

  When comparing this model to what else was out there this van with the rebates and year discounts made it a worthwhile purchase. Only problem in the short period we have had the van is that the freon in the air was low and didnt cool correctly. There wasnt a leak just improperly filled at the factory.

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  Mariner handles like a dream - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By D. Bryant - December 28 - 11:40 pm

  Just purchased the Mercury Mariner 4wd and love it. This is the second snow storm in two weeks, and it handles perfectly thru the heavy conditions. The last two days Ive insisted that my wife drive it to work for her safety. It does handle like a car not stiff like the Explorer we had last.

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  What A Great AWD! - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By tffc - December 22 - 9:33 pm

  Wife only wanted a Sedan. Had to have AWD. Previously had Audi A6 -- junk... always in shop. In our price range, the options were Subaru (tiny), and now comes a Ford/Mercury AWD. I have been very pleased with Ford over the last decade, and have leased 2 Escapes. Looked at this car, and she loved it at first sight! Great looks, excellent safety features. Drive to VT for skiing, and it handles in snow! For the price, this car rocks on features and looks! Wow! We are very pleased with this purchase. The dealer was very eager to make a deal, and the rebates were good. I very much recommend this car!

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  Love the car, but Im averaging 19 MPG - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By mko - December 19 - 8:33 am

  I drive the car on the weekends in the city, and on the highway. Took a very long road trip from Chicago to Santa Fe in August. Love the car, but I dont know how these other people are getting mid to high 20s for gas mileage. Im consistently getting 18- 20.

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  Sporty Value - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By KG - December 17 - 2:00 am

  For once American styling surpassed Japan (in this price range anyway). Considered the Toyota Celica but the cougars lines flow better. Got all the bells and whistles (leather, sunroof, CD, Chrome wheels) makes the car much more enjoyable in the long run.

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  Sporty Value - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By kg - December 17 - 2:00 am

  For once American styling surpassed Japan (in this price range anyway). Considered the Toyota Celica but the cougars lines flow better. Got all the bells and whistles (leather, sunroof, CD, Chrome wheels) makes the car much more enjoyable in the long run.

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  So Far So Good - Part II - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By 04SableDriver - December 16 - 12:33 am

  6,000 miles/3 months and so far so good! My Sable continues to impress with its smooth ride, comfortable seats, and generally polished demeanor. Truly this car speaks volumes as to why Americans buy millions of mid-size sedans each year - they really do just "fit!" Certainly not exciting, hardly sporty; but without a doubt, comfortable, quiet and eminently faithful in their daily motions. Complaints in my case are few thus far. Gas mileage is hardly stellar (avg is about 20 or so mpg; all highway), and the standard stereo emits nothing but dull and flat noises. Finally "quality," that ever looming threat, has remained perfect - no glitches to report! Stay tuned - Part III to come!

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  happy to have it - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Happy to own it - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Well, I am happy to say that I have not had any problems with my cougar minus 1 electrical problem which seems to be the norm here but it was not expensive to fix- every car has some problems! The car is fun to drive, great handling and quick when it needs to be. I am only at about 65000km on the car but so far so good.I would not have a problem recomending this car to anyone.

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  Nice Ride for an older vehicle - 1996 Mercury Cougar
  By Reverend - December 9 - 11:33 pm

  I got the vehicle in 2005 with approximately 18,000 miles on the odometer. It belonged to an elderly lady who was in a nursing home and she had it garaged for almost 4 years (the inspection sticker was going on 5 years old). It needed a battery and the tires replaced, which I did immediately. Living in New England I only use the car during inclement weather conditions and during the winter with snow tires it gets me everywhere. As a third vehicle, it seldom gets usage, but I do ensure it is used at least 50 miles weekly. It drives like a tank, but due to its age (1996 )most vehicles that size were tanks. It has been very dependable and has not required any work. It isnt fuel efficient.

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  Heavy Like a Tank, Cushy like a Sofa! - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By mwj12487 - December 8 - 5:35 am

  I purchased this vehicle when in a financial crisis last year, with only a cash budget of about $3000. When purchased, this car had already about 90k on the clock. With the 90k, I was very impressed at how "new" it felt to drive. Steering was precise, acceleration was more than decent, handling was very good considering its huge girth. Now, having put MANY highway miles on it, only after one year its around 150k. In that time, I only have had to buy tires, break pads, and of course oil changes with Mobil 1. What can I say, still drives like it did, when it was "new", emm, well you get the point.