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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  super - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By the mouse - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a super car. lots of room. the only problem with these cars is wind noise from the windows.we enjoy this car for long distance and plenty of room in the inside and the trunk. this is our 4th one. we like the new car smell. This is an easy car to trade up for a new one and eldorado is a super place to trade.

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  Love it - 2003 Mercury Marauder
  By colemajl - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I just got my new marauder. If you are a boomer who couldnt afford a muscle car in high school...now you can. The first night I got the Marauder, I was at a resturant and noted outside that an Impala SS owner had parked beside me and was walking slow circles around the beauty. That alone was worth half the purchase price.

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  Grand Marquis - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Bill H. - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Basic mix of 1970s design of large rear- wheel 4-dr car with updating of firmer suspensions and more efficient engine is attempted here. This car is an excellent alternative to the SUV with 24mpg on the freeway with Town Car like ride and confort. Great ride on the interstate but marginal on mountain roads. Drawback is overall quality in fit and finish. Dealers are very good to respond to quality issues but warranty is expiring soon, oh well. The perfect car for me is the style and size of the Grand Marquis and the qualty of the Camry. PS.. the big trunk is great!

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  My Third Milan - 2010 Mercury Milan
  By meinschaft - November 13 - 7:26 pm

  This is my third Milan, having previously leased a 2006 and 2008 version. It put 100,000 absolutely trouble-free miles on the first two. The only service they needed were regular oil changes and tire rotations. My 2010 is FWD (NOT AWD) and benefits from the extra 20 HP and the selectable transmission. I was very happy with the previous models but the 2010 has numerous improvements and refinements - quite impressed that Ford is doing this instead of their former practice of making it cheaper (i.e., deleting content) every year. These are great cars - the Milan? Fusion - and I can recommend them w/o reservation.

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  Solid car - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By StBonas1984 - November 11 - 6:30 am

  I love this car and I had the usual problems that most have mentioned. I replaced the front strut mounts (ext warranty) after about 35000 miles. The auto down window regulator broke and that was also covered by my extended warranty. I had the bubbles in the dash compartnemtn lid and the dealer popped a new one in it. The interior is wearing on the door handle and the shifterknow is peeling. Mileage is great and I am getting those mid twenties also. Ride is great and I love the large door. The only problem with this car is that Ford and Mercury never marketed this car correctly. My kids have trashed the bumpers and body panels with scratches and dings but what can you expect with teenagers.

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  I love this SUV! - 2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Bob - November 10 - 5:33 pm

  Ive had my new 2010 Mariner Hybrid now for a couple of weeks and I have absolutely no buyers remorse whatsoever! I love it! Im averaging close to 34mpg (highway and street combined). The ride is smooth, great visibility, love the NAV system and sync features. "So far" ... worth every penny I spent for it!

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  Better than expected - 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By dolphins - November 10 - 2:40 am

  Not only am I a satisfied with the fuel economy; this vehicle is versatile. Build quality is top notch, navigation system is easy to use. Sound system is all above average. I am now sold on Hybrids. While in grid lock you will always wear a smile on your face. The all wheel drive system gives you an extra sense of security

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  3rd Car Ive Owned and Best Yet! - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By Elmz11 - November 10 - 12:26 am

  As a 21 year old commuter student going to college full-time, I needed to trade up to an SUV after getting stuck in the snow numerous times in my 05 Hyundai Elantra. I was weary about buying a used vehicle (seeing that I bought my first car brand new) but I LOVE THIS SUV!! I ditched the JUNK Continental tires that all these Escapes and Mariners come with from the factory and got Michelin Cross Terrains put on. Night and Day! Get compliments on the interior all the time (two-tone black and creme). Average 19-20 mpg in mostly highway driving and it does have some power behind it. Have put on 19,000 miles in just 8 months and it has been rock solid! (now at 57,000 miles)

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  fun car - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By goome - November 9 - 10:00 am

  great car.. a lot of fun.. ive had absolutely 0 problems

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  AWESOME - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By BLK KAT - November 9 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd car and definately the best Ive ever had. V6,5 speed. Mine has a Stage 1 Roush package on it. For those that dont know, its got really cool ground effects, rear spoiler, 17" wheels with the Roush emblem, Roush floormats and an exhaust tip that makes it sound like a bumble bee. I was hesitant on leather interior and black for the color but I was sold on the Roush package. Its a 2000 model and it only had 7000 miles on it (was reposessed and passed around dealerships) when I bought it for $14500. My old car was a Neon and for $5000 more its a helluva deal! I love it! And get compliments ALL THE TIME!