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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  Nice Ride at a Fair Price - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By daddio - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is my sixth Sable/Taurus and my first wagon. I am quite satisfied. You get a lot of nice features, a lot of comfort, and a lot of room, all for not much money. I have had no problems with this Sable, and am now giving it to my daughter as her first commuter vehicle.

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  165000 and still going good - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Howeld - August 24 - 4:00 am

  Bought my car in 2004 with 62,000 miles on it for $3000. I have been driving it ever since. Just rolled over 165,000 and the car still runs just as good as when I got it. Along the way Ive replaced an alternator, a set of rear shocks, and a belt pulley. Other than that just oil changes every 3000 and its good to go. Finally purchased a new primary car but I am keeping my Mercury until in dies.

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  luv it - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By MRS. A - August 20 - 6:33 am

  I bought this used. Had a moutaineer in 1999. Love this SUV. Navigation/radio went out but was replaced with warranty. I get 22mpg on highway,bad around town. Traded off because I wanted the 8cyl. was well worth it. Again could not be happier.

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  2002 Mercury Cougar V6 Ultimate A4 - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Steve - August 16 - 12:26 pm

  I bought this car used with 80k miles. It hasnt been a bad car, though it hasnt been the best. The styling is sharp and the interior isnt bad. I find it to be rather low on power, but I am used to cars with much more power (had to buy something for gas mileage). Speaking of mileage, Im getting appx 22mpg combined city/hwy. Ive had some electrical issues, but other than that, it seems rather reliable *knock on wood*. Its also not too boring to drive (sure, its no Corvette, but its more enjoyable than a Civic). The styling has worn well considering the trends to edgier designs (and especially since the car was discontinued 4 years ago).

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  new one - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By caprice refugee - August 12 - 2:36 pm

  Cushy ride, but not wallowing. Drives like the old Caprice Classic it replaced, though the Caprice Classic seemed more powerful. Nice car, though obviously not exciting or impressive to others -- until they understand how much car we got for how little money. Best value on the road, probably. We expect it to last a dozen years. Maybe longer than we will!

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  A Mercury? for all ages? - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By stevec81 - August 12 - 12:08 am

  I bought this as an used car while looking for a variety of mid-size sedans. While not initially on up for consideration, I was sold on it after driving it. While Mercury is generally associated as a car for "old people", I was pleasantly surprised by this. Although the Montego is also a full-size car with large trunk, the similarities with the Grand Marquis end right about there. Although not sporty or fast, the Montego drives light on its feet and feels well-connected to the road. While understated, it still looks like something special.

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  A pretty AMAZING car! - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By cwe005 - August 10 - 2:16 pm

  Its a 2001 Mercury Cougar ZN. Its got close to 150,000 mi, and its a precision build machine! Like everyone says, it doesnt have a whole lot of power but the fact that it weighs close to 3500 lbs doesnt help either. Its amazing to drive. Corners like a beast, brakes like a beast, looks like a beast. Its a ZN, and its had routine things go wrong with it (water pump, burnt out blinker bulbs, CD got stuck, transmission rebuilt) Its still amazing to drive though, on smooth pavement it rides like its on a cloud. 17" rims mean tires are CRAZY expensive, but they make the car look amazing though! This is the sportiest daily driver you can have. But never get over 3K rpm, because I get 15 MPG

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  A Rental Car that I would buy - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By kkozicz - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I am using this SUV for 6 months as a long term rental. It has been great. it is very good in the snow, easy to put 4 sets of skis and poles and transport 4 adults the slopes in comfort. It needs a bigger gas tank.

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  Clearcoat problems - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By debrad - August 4 - 1:10 am

  This is my third Sable so I must say that I do like them. But the clearcoat on my 2000 sable (black) is beginning to show signs of cracking. The other problem that I have had is the leather on the rear door panels keep falling off. I have had them glued back on four times. I was told that the leather was cut too short. Other than these problems it has been a solid low maintenance vehicle.

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  mercury mystique - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By lorraine yeager - July 31 - 10:00 am

  does a good job on the expressways. It also performs well under other driving conditions. Makes you feel in control.