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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  1998 Mercury Mystique - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Fred - August 4 - 7:56 am

  Its been a real good car. A lot of bang for your buck. Very few repairs brakes, rotors,alternator, belt, wiper blades, oil & filter change. Just been a darn good car - crosses fingers.

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  05 Merc Montego in shop - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By montego crap - August 1 - 11:00 pm

  Currently my 05 mercury is in the shop with a bad strut mount. I have gingerly gone over bumps so to not have this problem. Im in my early 40s and have driven cars up to 225,000 miles, and never needed to buy a strut mount. The gas mileage is also so, so, Ive been getting about 19 city, and possibly 26 highway. Boy my next car is going to be a Toyota.

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  Mercury Monterey 2004 - 2005 Mercury Monterey
  By w. soliday - July 31 - 10:03 pm

  lots of get up and go. nicely appointed with leather, heated front seats, and both seats with power. automatic doors much nicer than expected.

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  I like it very much! - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Mountaineer - July 30 - 6:16 pm

  We have had our Mountaineer eleven months and have over 13,000 miles on it and we just love it. It handles amazingly great in the snow and anywhere. The turning radius is wonderful. The mileage could be a little better, but guess its just as good as or better than some other SUVs. At this time we would buy it again if we were in the market for it.

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  2 weeks out of the showroom - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By Frostydog - July 28 - 2:00 am

  So far so good. Other than a slight paint blemish the vehicle seems to be finished perfectly. The ride is comfortable, handling is predictible, pick-up is better than expected. Nice overall features- heated seats, auto dimming rearview mirror and great sound system.

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  my montego - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By 2005 mercury montego - July 27 - 5:06 pm

  So far it has been just what I wanted. I have three grandchildren and they fit in it just fine, car seats and all. I also work out of my car and the seat going down in the back makes life much easier for me.

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  grand marquis - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By saes terque - July 27 - 10:00 am

  This is a big car that is fun to drive and very comfterble is like riding on a pillow. It makes a great car for a teenager.

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  Sucker born every minute - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By sucker1001 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Transmission went at 3000 miles, rotors are bad at 10,000 miles, front end shimmys and shakes, check engine light on at 7000 miles, cigarette lighter pops out on to passenger floor. Car hesitates to start and loses momentum while driving. Uncomfortable pleather seats, front passenger seat is not roomy. Poor fuel economy. Over all disappointed with my purchase!

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  Great Vehicle - 2010 Mercury Mountaineer
  By fordman - July 27 - 9:03 am

  Being one of the last true SUVs on the market this could use some improvement in the model offerings and options. I like the color, the new Flame Blue exterior and the black leather interior except for the hideous tan headliner. What a mismatch of colors. I have about 800 miles on it and the temperature is below freezing or zero and the gas mileage is 19.5 on dash computer. Fuel economy on this vehicle is under rated. Wish it would burn E-85. six speed transmission would have been nice also. Wanted Premier model but was not offered in 5 seat version. The AWD is super on the snow and ice. Very quiet and comfortable vehicle with lots of cargo space and back seat room.

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  Great buy! - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By bridger - July 24 - 8:33 pm

  Mileage as advertised! I commute 1.75 hrs per day in DC-area traffic and have averaged 31.9 mpg over 5,000 miles thus far, but I do pay attention to good driving techniques to optimize the capabilites of the hybrid system. I absolutely love the car and derive great pleasure from driving a fun, practical vehicle that is easy on the environment. Drivability, amenities, and comfort are excellent as other reviewers have stated. Everyone Ive had in the car is shocked by the performance and sophistication of the vehicles hybrid drive - so much better than their hybrid preconceptions, especially re acceleration.