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:

• 

  Excellent - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Bob Boyd - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Recently relaced my 1995 Grand Marquis with a new one. The older one had 86000 miles on it yet was still going strong. I had been very happy with it so bought a new one. I always had liked the comfort it provided on the highway. Only problem I ever found was it smooths out the best around 80 mph, which the Texas Highway Patrol frowns on. Its a great vehivle to drive though and nearly as confortable as a Lincoln with the leather seats I have in my new model. Hope Ford keeps up the good work. Ill be looking for another one in 4 or 5 years.

• 

  LOVE IT - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By RJDomke - November 6 - 10:20 am

  Better ride then Cadillac, or Pontiac. I rented one in Chicago during a winter fly in. I loved the feel and felt safe inside on the icy roads.

• 

  A fun car for the price - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By black cougar - November 5 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car since I bought it new in Sept. 1999. I like the cars styling, handling, and acceleration is good with a V6 5 speed manual. The quality has been decent so far when I compare it to friends cars. I have 76,000 miles on it and have only had to replace the alternator, which cost $400 (not cheap). Although the fuel pump is starting to go now. These two problems seem to be typical for Cougars. I am thinking about getting a new car now that this one is older, but I dont see one that I would rather have in the same price range.

• 

  Mariner is a Great Vehicle - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By FearlessBear - November 3 - 9:10 pm

  Great ride, great comfort, excellent handling and good performance. A bit of a gas drinker, but not really bad, and it takes regular. I have driven Jeep Grand Cherokees, Land Rovers, Suzuki, but this vehicle is better. Its ideal in size, style, comfort, roominess and performance.

• 

  First 999 miles - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jay - November 1 - 2:40 pm

  The SUV has performed superb, the ride is smooth, transmission is swift, and overall a great investment. Rides and styles as a luxury SUV. The Family Incentives from Ford made this $12,700 investment a no brainer. The vehicles manuvers superb and is easy to park, great view from all angles. The cabin design and adjustable pedals allows for flexibilty and comfort for my wife to drive. Is fun to drive, can wait to take it on the road for a 600 - 700 mile drive. Compares to my BMW 325 on handling and comfort. The Mercury team got this one right on the money.

• 

  Reviewing the 2001 Sable LS Premium - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By mgparry - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Pro: it is a fun car to drive with great feel for the road. The 24 valve engine has significant power for passing, etc. Variable position brake and accelerator pedal convenient for the best driving position. Con: seats may be too firm for some drivers. Some wind noise on the hwy.

• 

  Stump pulling torque - 2001 Mercury Mountaineer
  By fordgirl - October 23 - 10:00 am

  After driving various sedans and sports cars for the last 12 years, this is a refreshing luxury. The ability to jump into any traffic & be able to merge seamlessly is a pleasure. I also like to be high up to see all the traffic around me. This also offers me the ability to haul all of my clients & all our stuff.

• 

  04 mercury monterey - 2006 Mercury Monterey
  By millerfam0128 - October 21 - 7:58 pm

  I just had my monterey for I think 4 years. It was on 04 loaded model. I loved it!! My kids loved it!! didnt have any major problems with it and drove it from NJ to Florida each year. I bought it used and it was in great condition. I recently just had a terrible car accident and rolled it and all. It was amazing my whole family of 5 walked away. No one could believe it!! That car saved our lives!! Im now trying to find another one used.

• 

  Great car - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By Luv It - October 21 - 4:13 pm

  Purchased this 04 Sable LS with 7800 miles on it from a dealership in Brandeton, Fl. The exterior design is beautiful and it is a classy looking car. The interior cabin is all leather and it is one of the most comfortable cars I have driven including those so- called luxury cars. The gas mileage could be better,(17mpg city,and 22mpg on the highway) Driving this car on the highway is like sitting in your living room in a very comfortable leather chair. You have very little feeling of motion and you do not feel the road at all. The sound system is quite good and the A/C climate control is wonderful. Set the interior temperature and relax in comfort. Great car!! 2005 is the last model yr.

• 

  Best, safest, ride ever! - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By TCS7777 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  The coupling of a V-8 with a great shifting automatic, equates to sheer power! Besides the Performance, there is safety, that goes way beyond dual air bags. With Side curtin protection and great view of the road, I feel safer in this vehicle than any I have ever owned! I would put this Mountaineer against any vehicle on the road today!