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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  Highway Star - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By clamboy - March 29 - 11:26 pm

  This car is a remarkable value. Paid 22K CPO in Aug and this thing rides like an American S-Class. Could it be a little faster...maybe. Once its off the line this car is an animal from 20-120. I think Mercury hit it right. More horses wouldve made this car a gas guzzler. I think that they bailed out way too soon on HiPo.. now Chrysler has all the 4 door muscle. Including a suicide door Imperial.(Way to fo LM asleep at the wheel as ususal.) This car is BEAUTIFUL in every way imaginable. They should bring it back and offer a light 4.6 and a Supercharged version. . I love this car. Drive it once and youll want it

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  Better Than Expected - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By MotorcraftMan - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Was surprised to find this car has the same if not more features than the Jaguar X-Type! Plenty of go from the 3.0L, smooth, stable, quiet ride. Sound system is decent for stock, more than enough trunk space. Plenty of cubby holds to store things, love the compass/auto-dimming mirror.

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  the worst ever - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By bill - March 22 - 8:26 pm

  replaced the transmission 3 times this car is horrible will never buy American junk again!

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  Nice car - 2005 Mercury Sable
  By Rickey - March 13 - 9:43 am

  Vehicle is very comfortable. I feel that I got a lot of car for the money. The insurance premium is very reasonable. I really like the trim on this vehicle, it doesnt appear cheap.

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  room for improvement - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By marcia - March 12 - 2:03 pm

  Front head rest much too large, created blind areas . drivers seat could be raised higher it is difficult even for tall drivers. gas mileage very poor. Engine loud

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  Nice Car! - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By tigerman2012 - March 1 - 10:30 am

  Lots of room, smooth ride! My 1999 has only 57000 miles on it but is still a nice drive! Too bad ford got rid of the Mercury brand and the crown vic/marquis. I really like this car! Never had any major problems and hope too keep driving for at least another 57000 miles and why not! Still get compliments on this car and offers to purchase it from me.

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  Bad plastic in 2003 grand marque - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By roberts17 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought this for my wife 30th anniversary. out of 4 ac vents only 3 worked. Took it to Belk ford in oxford. Part ordered. Took it back next day they replaced part but on way home when I turn engine off the ac control area sound like an old vcr rewinding. Took it back to Belk dealership and they said something about a vacum hose operation. I said I would drive it a few days but intend to return it to be repaired. It made no noise before they worked on it. None of the test drives that I made made that noise.

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  A "Can-do" car - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By Elizabeth Clark - February 24 - 6:10 am

  The base price is good, but you have too many extras which need to be include in the base price. Responsiveness of the steering is outstanding,which may cause the wider turning circle. The vehicle needs more power--a V8 or a direct fuel injection system. I like the improved responsiveness.

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  A So-So - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Quen - February 21 - 1:03 pm

  When I got this car for my 16th birthday I was so excited, but only 3 days later I was taking it to get the belt fixed and the engine light never went off. After fixing all the problems though its pretty reliable. I can also say it drives great and has great gas mileage for a on-the-go-teen.

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  2000 Grand Marquis - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Nancy - February 20 - 11:10 am

  This car has been the best in reliability of any cars Ive owned. I have had the car for 8 years and never had to put a dime into it. It still looks and runs great. The gas mileage around town is about 18 miles a gallon and about 22 on long drives. It would be great for older folks who cant get in smaller cars.