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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  Mercury Survives 109.5K and still ticks! - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By Mike MM - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car on a 5 year loan (and a wing and a prayer) knowing that I drive 28K miles/year. I love this car and, to my surprise, this car still runs great, everything works, and my gas mileage usually is 23 MPG or better. I am debating whether to keep it and run it into the ground, or lose $3,200 because of depreciation versus loan residual. I think Ill keep it!

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  1997 Moutainneer is great - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Anthony Smith - March 22 - 5:56 pm

  I love mine. I think if the fuel mileage was better, it would be the best available SUV. I have 121k miles and Im hoping to have very few problems. I will recommend you purchase one used. The new ones are good but the value drops like a rock in years 1,2 & 3

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  Great for handicap - 2006 Mercury Monterey
  By jdavis - March 22 - 1:06 pm

  We purchased ours in March 07. We were able to get it for 22K. At this price I think it was a steal. I am handicapped and we had it converted (VMI) to haul my power wheel chair. The Mercury has the widest opening Rt. side door 33". My Powerchair and I are 600+ lbs. The 4.2L has plenty of power and rides smooth. The dual air helps to cool it off quickly which is a requirement in Phoenix 110 heat! My wife likes the front and rear sensors and the smooth ride. Performance and handling is good considering this is a MINI-VAN and not a Mustang! Would have liked better mileage, 15-16 city and 20 Highway.

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  A great vehicle - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Charles - March 21 - 12:50 am

  While I have put less than 1000 miles on my new Mariner, I am quite impressed with the hybrid design and am averaging over 35 mpg. So far I love the car and the overall design. Lot of room and flexibility. Ford has done a great job !

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  Not a reliable car.. i hate my cougar - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Ashley - March 17 - 10:16 am

  I bought this car about two years ago after having a friend total my vw jetta which i loved. the cougar is nothing compared to that car and i can say i have had more problems with my cougar than i ever had with my jetta. within the first few months of having my car i liked it, it was nothing special but after like four months i started to have major problems with it. since i have spent probably close to $6000 fixing it. replaced the transmittion, any and every sensor possible, the alternator is bad now and i have had probably 5 batteries all go bad. the car stalls when it gets cold out or rainy. it is a very unpredictable car and i would not recommend it to anyone... wish i never got it

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  Mountaineer Review - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By pug mobile - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this truck. It handles great. I wish it got better gas milage and the homelink does not work with my Garage doors. The interior is great. I love the dual climate control. I am always cold and my husband is always hot (now we well both be comfortable).

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  2004 Mercury Marauder - Black - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By wernergu - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Great comfort, can get into the fast lane quick (while coming in from the on ramp), makes for a "safe feeling" ride (especially with all that steel around you). Funny to see people getting out of my way thinking that I am a cop - until they see the Registration Sticker in the back window. Also interesting to see a lot of old timers giving the car the once over - it catches their eyes since they are driving normal Grand Ms or Crown Vics. One word of advice, for those that live up North - buy a remote starter (or better yet, do as I did and negotiate it as part of the deal - I got it for "free"). BEWARE: No snow tires are made for the back wheels.

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  Love this car - 06 Premier Loaded - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By 06 Premier Loaded - March 16 - 12:50 am

  Bought this car end of December 2005. Luxurious & comfortable. So far averaging 32 miles per gallon...which is pretty good. I get a lot of looks and a lot of heads turning just to get a look at the new car. Probably the nicest car Ive ever driven. Its been a very dependable car so far...plus it is fun to drive. I did not like the look of the Ford Fusion at all....the trim and features on the Milan Premier make this a fabulous car!

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  Best Value out there - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By guisseppe - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Drive it and youll see. Comfort and styling at an affortable price.

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  Fix to headlights - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By rlhslw - March 11 - 10:00 am

  My passenger headlight has had the wiring harness replaced by me 3 times now, it is a underrated ground on the plug @18 guage wire. I stapped a 12 guage from 1 inch behind plug w/ a strap and attached it to the fire wall due to its under rating to handle the current. Local dealer says ther are no known issues. Have had all 3 engine senors replaced, rear window switch broken(still) and now struts seem to be gone as it handles badly @ 100k.And radio controls on steering wheel shorted out. And my gas pedal sticks- How do you fix it!! Will buy Honda or Toyota next time!