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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  Best Little SUV On The Market !!!!!! - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By Nick - December 21 - 9:03 am

  Recently i purchased a 2008 Mercury Mariner and i have to say i could not be happier with it this is my second Mariner the first one was a 2005 and i loved it so much i just had to have the redesigned model. First of all the ride is 100 percent improve over the old model it is quiet and smooth and it handles much better and the navigation system is very easy to use and gives precise directions and the Sirius radio is great and you can put just about anything in that DEEP center console. And i am 63 FT and i have plenty of head and legroom but the rear legroom can be tight and the quality of the interior is improved over the old model as well. I really recommend the Mercury Mariner to all.

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  Excellent - 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By R.J.McKee - December 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the third car of the same basic design I have owned. The comfort of driving and riding in these vehicles has been excellent. The out of pocket cost of repair has been minimal.Typicaly fuel mileage has been between 18 and 28+ MPG. These cars have suited my needs, are comfortable and a pleasure to drive

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  A Great Little SUV - 2007 Mercury Mariner
  By R.Brewster - December 20 - 8:03 am

  I really wanted an suv, but didnt want to end up spending all my money on gas. I also wanted to be able to get all the fun extras like 4wd, 6 disc cd, leather, moonroof. The Mercury Mariner is a perfect fit for me!!!

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  GREAT USED CAR SO FAR - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By Mikefromsantaclara - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Driven 50,000 miles over the past two years, no major problems. Just did my first brake job at 65,000 miles along with a major tune-up. Oil changes every 6,000 miles with filter changes every other 12,000. Driven every day for business. Over the road Salesman start and stop traffic, with alot of highway miles.

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  Grat Mercury - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By Eloy - December 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is absolutly great, better than expensives $$$ european sedans, its comfortable, runs good, and the design is perfect, and other thing "Build Quality", its a good car, luxury, and great performance, this car can make this looks good. I Hadnt mechanic problems, so i recommend this car a lot, its a real luxury jet.

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  Did It Again! - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By James F. - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Have driven a 92 GM LS for many years and fond it to be an outstanding car. Used it to pull my boat from CA to TX and to lakes and the ocean. Power was great never had a problem. Was thinking about a 2005 Chrysler 300 but with out a V8 it was noisy and not powerful. Discovered the GS Special and bought it. I have only had it a few days but it is responsive and with the special paint and tone leather it is a head turner. On guy asked me if it was a new Lexis and I told him it was a Mercury and he didnt want to believe me. Have driven it about 500 miles and know that it is going to be a great car for me and my family. James

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  Take the Good with the Bad - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Cougar - December 16 - 11:40 am

  I love the outer appearance however it is lacking in other areas. I have the "leather" interior. this car is 5 year old and already the seats are shot. I have rips/holes just from every day use. I have only had this car a few months and have had to replace the brakes and recut rotors. The transmission seems to be slipping at times too. Its fun to drive but the repairs will cost you. I have a Chevy before and I think I just might go back to buying them next time around.

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  very good car - 1997 Mercury Cougar
  By pls317 - December 15 - 10:00 am

  the cougar and the t-bird from 1991 to 1997 are the best cars made in that time frame

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  Great - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By Mercury Girl - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I usually drive about 300 miles a day, and with the Sable, I never get bored. Great performance, I feel safe, its comfortable, and reliable. I drove 2000 miles to North Carolina and back, and she made it just beautifully. I love my car, and with oil changes every 5,000 miles instead of 3,000, I never worry about being that poor girl broke down on the side of the road!

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  Mercury Sable- A very good American car - 2003 Mercury Sable
  By Bill Francis - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I think the Sable is one of the most underrated vehicles on the road today. I have test driven the new Camry and while I liked it, I much prefer the Sable for overall performance, interior style, and even the exterior styling in spite of being somewhat dated. It is still a very attractive car. This is our 5th. Sable, after a four year hiatus with two Lincoln Continentals. Believe me, there is no $20,000 difference in these cars, which is the variance in the sticker price of the two vehicles. I really wonder why all the Auto Rags talk up the rice burners and down-play the American iron. Buy American.