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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  Its a Tank... - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By 2carguy - October 19 - 11:23 am

  Just you all know this car was pass on to me after my mom passed on last year. So far the cougar has been great to me. Although its a gas guzzler and thats do to it being we 2 tons. To me its a girls car but it was my moms so i drive it and plus it only has 33,000 on it. Pretty good for a 2001. The cougar is my second ride and so far its been fun. I see so many cougar lately on the road but i never see the one like mine. My cougar has added features that was being put on the 2002.

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  2002 mountaineer - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Texasbanker - October 19 - 3:53 am

  Luv ride and secure fell of car but have had continual prob with rear A/C system. same part breaking 4 times in 6 years. Ford said nothing they could do. Trans acts strange at times but has not quit on me yet.

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  My Cougar - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Tiffer6139 - October 18 - 11:20 am

  I have had my 02 Cougar for a little over a year, I havent had any engine trouble no big problems. few problems with the rear visibility and huge blind spot also the arm rest isnt there and no mirror on the passenger Visor... other than that good mpg. all in all good Car

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  Glad I bought it - 2005 Mercury Monterey
  By Vacoast - October 18 - 8:23 am

  I didnt want a minivan, she did and got her way. However, Im glad we bought it. The front seats are both power, heated and cooled. The second row of captain chairs are also comfortable. The third row isnt as comfortable, but we normally keep it hidden in the floor. The power sliding doors are a real convenience when carrying grandbabies or groceries. Also like the in dash 6 CD changer. Wish it had a GPS navigation system. But thats all I would add. Love to drive it. It is very agile for a minivan and is actually pretty quick off the line.

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  Mountaingirl - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By NANCY - October 18 - 7:16 am

  wish it had bubble mirrors on the side mirrors for blind spots, still learning sight distance for interstate travel, drives great, do not like the interior door handles, just okay

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  Great Car - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By jimb - October 16 - 4:43 am

  Second owner, purchased at 17k miles, now have 118K miles. Other than routine maintanance the car has been completely trouble free and very reliable every day driver. Stock power is ok but a few bolt ons and my 115K car and it is faster than 07 Dodge R/T Charger. Generally I get gas pump comments from younger folks looking for a "Wide Body V8s" After all the miles I put on this ride the leather seats are still in allmost new condition. Every button and switch works just like the day a purchased it. Highly recommend this car as used car purchase.

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  Wifes Car! - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Tony & Lana C - October 10 - 1:20 pm

  We have had this car since 2001 and it has had no problems. Minor things that regular maint takes care of. It is not for a person over 56" to drive and dont think of putting avg size people in the back seats. Other than that we love the V-6 and the power it gives on the highway. Id buy another one.

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  Very Poor Gas Mileage - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By missmgmnt - October 10 - 10:09 am

  I traded my 2006 Kia Sorento in for the 2008 Mariner this past July. The Mariner was very stylish and offered newer accessories like heated seats and the back up warning system. Initially when I filled my tank up the mileage meter would read "320 miles to empty". But since my first oil change at the dealer this figure has steadily decreased to the point where today it read "227 miles to empty". How on earth could the fuel efficiency drop from 320 to 227 miles like that???? When I fill the tank I generally add between 11-12 gallons so that isnt the issue. VERY disappointed! With the high cost of gas today, such poor fuel economy is just unacceptable. Wish I could get my Kia back! :-(

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  2002 Villager Estate - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By Rob Roy - October 8 - 10:00 am

  I have now had my 2002 Villager Estate for about a year and put about 7000 miles on it. Gearshift indicator broke, but easily fixed. The gas mileage could be better. Other than that I like the van pretty well, needs to come with stiffer tires than the Goodyear tires that came on it. They should have redesigned it and cut off some of the weight rather than stop making it. Now when you get a Merc van, you are getting a Ford Winstar with Merc nameplate. I would recommend a used one of these vans.

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  hidden jewel - 2009 Mercury Sable
  By noslen - October 3 - 11:30 pm

  I own a 2009 Mercury sable premier awd and I am impressed with this automobile, the updated and very stylish interior feel very lux. The SYNC system is outstanding and easy to use once you read the manual. The car handle is smooth and claim wish it had more Ford power its also loaded with safety features, exterior is a bit boring and common but I really like this car and would recommend it for ages 28-45 year old males only. Its a mans car