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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  1st Merc - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By 1stMerc - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Weve only owned our Mountaineer for 3 days, and its our first SUV. Weve already used it to haul a number of large items home, and we love the roominess, power, handling, and convenience of the vehicle. Compared to the minivans, other SUVs, and cross- over vehicles we looked at and drove (Buick Rendezvous, Nissan Murano, etc.), this vehicle is an incredible value, even before the free DVD system offered at the time!

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  Leak - 2007 Mercury Mariner
  By From NEPA - May 12 - 10:06 am

  I only have 150 miles on the Mariner. I had it only 2 days when it rained and water gushed in from the moonroof. It is currently at the dealsership for the second time for repairs on the moonroof. It is a shame when a person spends hard-earned money only to have the car that he saved for for four years leak from the begining.

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  Gas Pedal/Throttle Sticks - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By Sue - May 11 - 11:00 pm

  We bought this van used in October 2002 with 27,000 miles on it. For the most part we have been very happy with it. The major problem that we have is every two or three years the gas pedal begins to stick. For the longest time the dealership had no idea what the problem was. Finally, they figured out that brake dust was collecting in the area underneath the car where the gas pedal is. They fixed it for less than $300. Two years later we had the same problem. I brought it back in and again they fixed it and things worked perfectly. Like clockwork we are experiencing the problem again, and it is two - three years later, so I need to take it back again. Hope this helps someone!

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  Bought mine new -now have 145,000 miles - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By tim - May 10 - 12:50 pm

  Mine has been a great vehicle. The original Eagle GT tires were very rough ride when they got some miles on them . Went to Goodyear assurance tires and improved the ride tremendously. The early depreciation has been made up by the longevity. Also, change transmission fluid and clean fuel system if yours becomes sluggish.

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  yet another panther!!! - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By S D Mowat - May 4 - 7:30 pm

  This is the best car ford makes period as a self professed car guy( I have a car folder collection from 1965 to present day and a reader of all the car books...r/t, motor trend..automobile..ect...the reliability crash protection..yes including the rear end problem that I had fixed...the police use this car for reliability...I tow a boat at times..plus put a k/n air filter I am getting 28-30 highway and20 in the city real life...it has all the features in a full size plus no blind spots sure not as racy as the 300 but I would rather have a product that is job 1!!! Vast leaps in quality from the 85,92,99,and this one Buy one a yr old let someone else pay full retail!!

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  third suv - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By BRENDA SAVGE - May 3 - 10:10 am

  we went looking for another suv- had an explorer- traded in for expedition- which saved my life in a rollover on ice-- bought another expedition- and now we wher in of a second car/suv- in looking around at other models- we settled on the marnier on first site- bought the suv- without even test driving- and then drove it home 27 miles from the dealer-- and loved every minute of that drive- looking forward to taking the suv this weekend to las vegas- and given the expedition a rest...

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  A well built vehicle - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Joseph - April 26 - 3:36 am

  Bought my Cougar private in May 2002. The vehicle had only 15,000km and was like new. Accident free, and maintained excellent. I have had very few problems with this vehicle in the last 4 years. Although I feel I had to replace the tires quite early into its life. My new tires are better than the originals. Not so fast when you take off, but the Cougar gains it momentum quickly into its take off. But yes, it could have used a bit more power. Styling is great, adn more than enough interior space for the 2 front passengers. The car had huge potential, and its a huge shame its life has been ended. Overall, a great car.

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  fluid leak - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Em - April 25 - 2:43 pm

  I recently purchased my mariner used at 40,000 miles, 1 month later I noticed fluid leaking. Turns out Ford sent the transmission fluid through the A/C condenser and from what I have heard its been nothing but a problem! The good news is this issue has been recalled and I was able to get everything replaced for free. Other then the leak, I love my new car!

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  Reliable - 1997 Mercury Sable
  By Albert - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This car has everything I need and is super reliable. The only time I see dealer is for oil changes and tire rotation.

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  The big hauler - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By John Nash - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This is great tow vehicle and hauls 4000 lbs easily. Highway mileage is 26 mpg on Phila.-Boston trips. Running around home mileage is about 17mpg. Comfortable and quiet.