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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  Better than i expected - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Elaine Dillon - October 19 - 2:00 am

  We couldnt be more pleased with this car unless gas prices were less. It has an incredible amount of room. I enjoy so many of the features. I dont miss my Lexus 300 at all. I can see so well when i drive and I feel very safe driving it. We thought about a Lincoln Aviator or Navigator but after driving both and pricing both the choice was incredibly easy.

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  Drops like a rock - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Dan5240 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is very comfortable and tows 5600 pounds whith very little trouble 6 cyl. The value of the vehicle is terrible. The resale dropped like a rock due to heavy dealer discounts on new vehicles. Also the rear glass has problems with the gas struts shooting off in hot weather.

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  this car is great - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By girl - October 16 - 11:00 am

  i bought mine with over 100,000 miles and its still running GREAT! i love the body style and all its power... very reliable and well built! i would definately but another! only problem is gas

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  Bad Transmission - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jack8351 - October 14 - 10:00 am

  My vehicle is actually a 2002 Mountaineer Premier. The transmission developed a stutter at 17,000 miles. It now has 63,000 miles and Ford has refused to take the vehicle back under the Lemon Law in my state. I would recommend the 4X4 or 4X2 Explorer, but NOT the AWD version of the 5 speed transmission.

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  Disappointed in Ford - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Mountain Woman - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I love this truck. The third row seat is very comfortable and handy. I hate that weve had to have the back window replaced because we got a crack in the frame right above the Mercury emblem. The most disappointing thing of all is that the rear end had to be replaced at around 24,000 miles and now again at 58,000 miles. Ford paid for the first replacement but refuses to cover this one. Also, the door hinge on the front passenger side keeps getting loose. Even though I have owned two Explorers and now this Mountaineer that I love, I will NEVER purchase another Ford product again. Ford does not stand behind their products.

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  Great vehicle - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Shirley Ryan - October 10 - 7:56 pm

  I just purchased this one new. I have purchased other vehicles but none really compare to the Mercurys that I have purchased in quality and comfort for the price. To get any better vehicle you will have to spend more money for certain. I dont think you can get comparable quality for the money.

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  have your airbags checked - 2009 Mercury Milan
  By srecz - October 9 - 12:30 am

  My wife was just broad-sided by an suv traveling at 30-40 mph. The Milans side airbags did not deploy. Fortunately,she did not suffer serious injury, but certainly could have in such a serious crash. I would suggest to anyone owning a Milan return to the dealership to have airbag system checked.

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  Good Ol Mercury - 2005 Mercury Sable
  By Mercuryluva - October 8 - 10:00 am

  I recently had a 93 sable and had no problems up to 130,000 miles. I now have the bigger V6 with 200hp and love it. It has plenty of around town pep. Very roomy inside but didnt opt for the leather because of kids. I would highly recommend a sable over a camery because you get more for your money, more room, more exctitng driving experience.

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  a perfect fit - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By strypz1 - October 6 - 2:00 am

  besides a few minor hardware problems this vehicle is a steal for the money. bought this as a replacement for a grand cherokee that was driving us to bankruptcy with repairs. we haul 2 adults 2teens and 2 dogs comfortably. the v6 has plenty of power for us , we also tow a utility trailer no problem . get the v8 if towing campers.

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  Please take this car seriously!!! - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By bebopdeluxe - September 29 - 1:16 am

  Criteria: AWD, powerful engine, 3rd row of seats, 5000+ lbs towing capacity, SAFETY, and fun to drive (I own a 6-speed BMW 540i). The MDX fell short on towing capacity, and the engine seemed to lack "hop" when I hit the gas. The X5 was also no competitor here - not only no 3rd seat, but laughable space for a $54K vehicle. The M-Class? Great to drive, power, VERY safe. Build quality/reliability? The newer ones were thought of as more solid, but now the price had a "5"