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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  Green beauty - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By lucky46 - August 30 - 5:40 am

  Fun to drive, fantastic handling. Bought the 4 cylinder for fuel economy. It has adequate zip. I got 34 mpg on a long highway trip through PA. Quieter than my 2003 Sable, handles like a smaller car, very maneuverable and yet with a very comfortable ride and more than adequate interior space. I am 6 foot 4 and I love the telescoping steering wheel.

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  Excellent Vehicle, great value - 2000 Mercury Villager
  By MercuryFan - August 27 - 10:53 am

  This was our first Mercury purchase and its been an excellent vehicle. We purchased it new and it has 136K miles on it now. Excluding maintenance items, its never in the shop and has never let us down. Make sure you use Motorcraft oil. Ill probably drive it another 100K or so but Ill definitely buy another Mercury/Ford product. I have an F-150 with 160K miles on it and no problems for it either. Ford makes a great product. My father has one with 400K miles on it. Buy American....Buy a Ford!

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  Best kept secret - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Great car - August 25 - 3:03 am

  This is my SECOND Cougar. The first one (2000)is still in service with 225,000 miles on it. My 2002 will turn 230,000 this week. Rock solid car and I cant understand the complaints. I intend to go at least 300,000 miles if not more. Both Cougars had brakes replaced the first time at 110,000 mile. Both also had to have fuel pump and AC clutch replaced at 140,000. Overall mileage is still above 27mpg. Great brakes and very sure footed and fun to drive.

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  Love My Mountaineer - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Sue - August 21 - 4:26 pm

  I purchased my Mountaineer in 2005 with approximately 25,000 miles on it. I recently took it to the dealership and had a new hose put on it. It is and has been the most comfortable and reliable car that I have ever owned. I love it.

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  Reliable transportation - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By joe - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 97 from an older man who could no longer drive, it was 6 yrs old with 22,000 mi.when purchased.I have used it as my daily work car for the past 7 yrs. It currently has 196,000 mi and going strong,Ive put new plugs and wires on it and brakes along with oil changes, Im going to keep it as a work car as long as it will run. Bottom line is Im sold on these cars and planning on buying a low mi. 2008 soon as a second car.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By Patrick - August 15 - 5:23 am

  Have had this vehicle 18 months without any warrenty service. With the 4 cyl. engine I routinely get 26-28 mpg highway. An attractive vehicle for which I get lots of compliments.

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  2004 Mercury Marauder - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By elsidjr33 - August 15 - 2:00 am

  The car comes fully equipped and the only major option being a moonrroof. The seating is comfortabe for five and a large trunk for their luggage. It is not a drag car but it can hold its own with most daily drivers and get you there in real comfort. You need the cruse control or you find your self exceeding your estimated speed. Fit and finish is very good and they got the torque converter stall and transmission shifting on target. The torque and HP peak at high rpm which gives a real high speed kick. Getting 24 mpg on the road its a pleasure to drive and even my wife loves to drive it.

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  Mountaineer - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By zachW - August 15 - 2:00 am

  I am only nine years old but I really like this vehicle. It is my favorite one that my mom has owned.

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  Grand Marquis LS 1998 - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By cg20_20 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I wouldnt even consider buying another type car. This is the "poormans" Towncar, yet it delivers equal comfort and quietness with additional handling capabilities.

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By RayA446 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This is an automobile that would make a road hogging grouch tame and dosile. The ride, fuel economy (just off trip FL to WV - 29.7 MPG). This car rides and performs like its big brother the Lincoln. Only difference between the two are that you could own his and hers for the same price as the big brother. I only hope they never quit making the Grand Marquis.