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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  1999 Mercury Grand Marquis LS - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By sabadov - August 27 - 9:53 am

  A very reliable car. No major service needed during the three years I owned it. Very confortable and easy to handle.

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  Love IT! - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By christina - August 26 - 4:03 am

  Never a problem. Very spacoius 3rd row seat. Very easy to use. Great for trooping kids around. Love the interior. Great stereo system. Love the design. Also handles very well on the highway when its windy, unlike another SUV I previously owned.

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  MARAUDER A JOY TO DRIVE - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By DON ROEHRICH - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I have driven my Marauder approx. 3500 miles and think it is really great. This car is fun to drive, very solid and built good. I like the car better every time I drive it.

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  THIS CAR IS AWESOME - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By 2003Marauder - August 26 - 2:00 am

  when i first got in this car i didnt think it was going to be what it really is. This car is a great combination of a large car... with a lot of power and speed. This car is great on the freeway, great high end torque. it really gets you moving. Everyone that is writing bad reviews has a problem with either ford, or they are gealous that this car is so good

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  Looks good, but not so fast - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By jdesir - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I am happy with it, but it is now my wifes car. The lack of get up and go after pushing the accelerator just wasnt worth it. I need more power than that, and with it coming with Pirelli Tires and 18" rims, I was deceived at first sight. The Montego is a nice vehicle to look at and is ultra roomy. Ive never been in a Ford/Mercury vehicle with this many features for such a low price. The price was obviously put into the interior/exterior over the performance. I was told that the AWD model has even less torque. The wife, who doesnt mind the lack of power, enjoys it though, as will many that dont have a huge need for horsepowers.

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  Nice Styling and Quality - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By lduke32 - August 24 - 10:00 am

  The Mountaineer looks like no other SUV. Its interior is richly appointed for the price. The ride could be smoother and the 4.0 liter smoother but overall it is a solidly made vehicle. I recommend the Mercury Mountaineer

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  Classic American Sedan - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By ghcrooks - August 21 - 10:20 pm

  Having Driven Grand Marquis and Crown Vics as company cars off and on for nearly 2 decades, when it came time to purchase a car for myself I waded into familiar territory and picked a Grand M after a less than satisfactory 2 years slugging it out with a 2003 Taurus SES. $ for $ and # for #, I dont know another mark as comfortable, reliable and smooth. Sure, the styling is dated (or is that "classic"?), but the room, ride and overall quality cannot be matched for under $25k.

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  Wrote to you before - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Hans - August 20 - 7:30 pm

  I sent my Review to you before. The Milan is an excellent Vehicle...period. One Suggestion, other than the Pedal Location (Clutch/Brake) I like to suggest to show your "Milan" in " Vivid Red Clearcoat Metallic" Exterior with a Camel Cloth Interior, since you are trying to attract a younger Buyer, Ford is doing it with their "Fusion".

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  BEST FORD YET - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By DeLoreanNorthstar - August 20 - 2:00 am

  The car just arrived today so ive only owned it for a few hours now but IT IS AWSOME! its like a cool cop car! its so fun to drive, everyone double takes a look (not sure if its a cop or kid) its just a whole lot of fun. (almost as fun as my DeLorean) Its beefy and sounds it too (although i wish it had deeper exhaust)

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  Entry and exit is poor - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By rmicheil - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Some how the designers forgot that people get into and out of the car. If you have older people then this car is not for you. Although is is a large car it is very hard to get into and out of if you are elderly. The car, however is excellent in every other way.