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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  Happy 3 year Owner - 2000 Mercury Mystique
  By Jim53 - July 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought my V6 5-speed Mystique LS in Dec 99 after ordering it to my specs. The dealer thought I should get an automatic trans for resale purposes. I bought it for me as a keeper, not to sell. I really like this car and totally agree with the reviewers comments of July 02. Great Handling, strong engine. Very smooth and powerful 4-disc brakes. This is a great used car deal - if you can find a 5 speed. Ive owned Honda Accords - great cars, but cannot touch this for handling. I did not rate the car a 10 because of a clutch leak (left me stranded) and rear styling is so so.

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  Anns car - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Ann marie - July 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is wonderful, I havent regretted buying it. I got into an accident, and it was pretty bad, and my car came out perfect. The structure on my 2002 stayed strong, and its comfort it perfect.

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  Driving on a cloud - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By neilfarrell - July 27 - 2:00 am

  The most comfortable riding SUV I have been in. Third row seats a big hit with the kids. I really enjoyed my 2000 Mountie that my wife now has.

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  buy mercury - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By lgm - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Having driven mostly Chevrolet trucks and 4x4s i was excited about driving this model of vehicle. I am very satisfied with the performance and ride but believe the economy could be improved with more available axle ratios without hurting the performanc

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  Great car, good deal - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By rich - July 15 - 5:20 am

  This much maligned vehicle is a real gem. After owning large GM cars, mostly Cadillac, for the past 25 years it is a relief to have something reasonably simple again, to not be plagued by troublesome electronics you donÂ’t want or need. This car performs well under a variety of driving conditions. It is comfortable, can actually accommodate six adults when necessary, and still deliver 27 to 29 mpg on regular gas on a trip. The build quality is as good as any I have ever owned. There is little to not like about this car.

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  A Great Safe SUV - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By superjohn - July 14 - 7:10 pm

  Very comfortable seats they have 14 gel packs in the seats to make the best fit. lots of pwr and great on gas. lots of options and a great deal . thanks

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  Awesome Mercury Grand Marquis - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By David - July 11 - 7:30 pm

  Im a 21 year old and this is my first car I ever bought and let me tell you its an awesome car. Now I see why cops and taxi cab drivers use them. Ive driven these kinds of cars since I was 17 this being the 3rd one Ive driven and first one Ive bought and owned. Ive driven a 95 model and another 99 model that my father owns. This car only has 37,500 miles on it right now. It had 27,450 when I bought it for less then $7 grand. I have the GS model but I have leather seats. It rides and handles really smooth and has good pick up for its size. Its not no Mustang or race car but it can keep up and has the power when needed.

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  Very impressed and surprised - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By luvmysable - July 11 - 12:20 am

  In 2007 I was in a bad car accident in a small foreign car (I was rear-ended). I resolved to never buy such an unsafe car again. I set out to find the safest car in America and buy it, no matter what. I was sad to have to “settle” for an old lady car like the Sable. I barely test drove it, picked my color, at least got the chrome wheels, and I was off. I am so completely and totally in love with that car! It is amazing and has so many surprises; stuff my Mom’s Lexus doesn’t even have. And it can *move* if you get on the gas pedal. It’s the only car I will ever buy and I will lease a new one in two years, without question. I feel so safe! This was no compromise for me at all! Love it!

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  Maintenance free - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By GREAT CAR - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I have had my montego for 5 years and have 145,000 miles on it. I have had no trouble with this car. I hoping to keep it this car for 4 more years and give it to my daughter.

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  Luxury in Texas - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By Cord in Texas - July 8 - 6:10 am

  I just purchase the Premiere AWD V6 Mariner. Triple black with all "chrome" appearance. This vehicle is the Navigator of Compact SUVs. My coworker who drives the Porsche Cayenne, was shocked at the quality and cost of this SUV. Mileage was 16- 18 but I just busted 3k at the end of the month and the new tank is half way gone with 22 mpg average 50 city 50 hwy. Now, the rearview mirriors not being the body color are kind of not as aesthetically appeasing. There are some rooms for more improvement but hey 22k for fully loaded, no brainer! However in two more models I am sure all qualities of the Navigator will be reflected onto the Mariner. I am 25 years old a 1st time buyer.