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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  Im enjoying it - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By khankins - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had constant catalytic converter problems, however they are covered under manufacturers warranty up to 75,000 miles. Good visibility. Love the sunroof that can open or pop up (moon roof) Roomy trunk.

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  Its much better then a Jeep - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Tivler - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the 4th suv I have owned since 1990. The first two were Explorers which I loved. The next one was a Jeep which I had only for two years. I hated it. I could not stand going anywhere in it. I now own a 2004 Mountaineer. I love it. First of all it has a lot of room, its big but not huge. It is pretty easy backing into parking spaces. The turning radius is great. Another feature that make it worth the money is the all wheel drive. The only bad thing is that I noticed it uses more gas then my other 4 x 4s did. So far I have almost 3000 miles on it and I love driving it. I cant wait to take it on a road trip.

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  Tires - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By lewisred - November 25 - 10:00 am

  Having just bought this car we have not had much experience with it yet. But so far we have had a problem with tires that bump. Also this van needs running boards and a grab handle for the driver. We are having to buy running boards and thought we could equip it with a lift for a scooter but having a problem with that also. Have to lose 3rd seat if we do.Hopefully the dealer can resolve the tire problem and we can get a lift that works.

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  Car nut... so this shouldnt be. - 2010 Mercury Mariner
  By vincent33 - November 20 - 2:10 am

  Was looking for a new ride for my wife. We have a 2005 Escape and she pretty much loves it. She set aside a 2002 Highlander and took the Escape from me. So we recently shopped the New Highlander, Venza, and CRV along with new Escape. I thought the new Escape fit me like a Mummy box. Nice for around time, but no room to move around on 300 mile trips. The new Highlander was big! The Venza, expensive and ridiculous 20" wheels. CRV the seats dont suit me and she felt it wasnt substantial. So what do we do... look for a new used "old style" Escape. This Merc was priced better, has some toys like phone interface and the "jukebox" and "nav" that seems to work well.

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  Old reliable - 2000 Mercury Villager
  By Speedwell - November 13 - 2:56 am

  Bought new in 2000, my wife uses it daily and I cant talk her into something else. Its a shame they stopped making this van because I would probably buy another one.

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  OK - 2010 Mercury Mariner
  By jtr - November 10 - 7:40 am

  Just bought the vehicle and got an incredible deal. Not as comfortable as I would like. Great mileage, some wind noise. Wished the seat went further back

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  I want another one - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By 2quik - November 2 - 2:36 am

  I loved this car. I felt like it fit my personality nicely. Just wish it was a little faster on the takeoff.

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  MercGrand - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By bytescot - October 31 - 10:00 am

  No problems.

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  Comfort - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Barb - October 29 - 5:40 am

  We traded our Park Ave for this car. I find that the seat was made for a tall person it is way too deep for the average person. Your legs rub on the edge of the seat. This makes it very uncomfortable. There is not enough storage inside. Plus the trunk is too deep when pulling out heavey luggage. For a big car it has less room in the back seat then the even the Park Ave. Also the Buick is much quiter inside and has a better sounding radio. Between the two, wish I had bought Buick

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  Last of the real wagons - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Dennis - October 28 - 8:43 pm

  Comfortable car on long trips that can haul all of the gear without a problem. Excellent high speed stability and power with reasonable gas mileage. Outmatches most SUVs in all categories but getting kids in and out.