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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  The name says it all GRAND MARQUIS - 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Laura - May 21 - 11:50 pm

  This car is absolutely fabulous it rides awsome smooth as silk and quiet as they come its like riding on a cloud compared to my 01 Avalon which i traded in on this this Mercury is the best i love it the engine has great pick up it can it to 85 in about 8.5 seconds when you really floor it and i like the way when you floor it pushes you back in the seat and speaking about seats the are extra large and as comfortable as a pillow on this car is great on long trips and i love the overhead console and lights in the back seat they come in handy when you have passengers who like to read on long trips at night and i love that beautiful wood grain and chrome door handles they look great....

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  GREAT CAR!!!! - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By phil m - May 21 - 8:03 am

  This is my second Mercury Sable. Both have been very reliable. Howevwer the 2008 is far more comfortable and luxurious than the 2005 I replaced. High seating, great visibility, huge back seat and trunk make this a perfect family car. I also own a Lincoln Town Car, but the Sable is the preferred car for trips. Build quality is excellent. I would highly recommend the car to anyone of any age. You will not be sorry if you buy one.

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  No.3 - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Carl T - May 20 - 6:16 pm

  Nice ride in bad weather is a plus.This is the 3rd mountaineer I have owned the previous 2 have given me many miles of fun. This years model is by far the best of the bunch.

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  Great little car - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By terry.pittman - May 19 - 11:00 pm

  easy all around fun car to drive, very responsive steering goes exactly where you point it and hugs the road. good visability from all points. this car gives you a secure feeling with a quiet smooth ride. get the LS model the engine alone is worth it.

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  Fun to drive - 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By PghHybrid - May 12 - 3:26 pm

  Ive owned my Mariner Hybrid for a little over two weeks, got 37mpg out of first tank, 34mpg with highway and city on second tank. Very impressed with this vehicle, love the Nav with Sync and Sirius. Mercury hit a home run with this one. Rides very nice, comfortable with loads of front leg room.

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  It is fun to drive not just a ride! - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By BG - May 9 - 12:03 pm

  Although I only have 1000 miles and have owned the Milan for only a month, I am completly satisfied. What a fun car to drive here in the hills of Western Mass on our rural roads. I like the economy of the four cylinder with a five speed stick, but the real pleasure is it is fun to drive. The Premier with leather and moon roof gives it a touch of class over the cheap interior of similar priced imports

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  One my best buys ever! - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Bill from Westlake - May 9 - 10:00 am

  This was my first Ford product purchase and I could not be happier. I have 136000 miles on the car and have had literally no problems. I still have the original exhaust system on the car. I have taken care of the the car exactly by the book with 3000 mile oil changes and regular maintenance per owners manual. I love it. I am considering a new Grand Marquis but hate to part with this one.

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  Great First Time Car - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By cougar1 - May 7 - 8:40 am

  I am still young and this car was purchased as my first car. it has done very well drives nice and very reliable. on the downside the "sports car" look and the fact that my car is red attracts the police attention.

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  Not a bad choice dependable comfortable - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By G Man - May 4 - 7:53 pm

  I got this low mileage car with fears of why it was available, but I must say it has really performed. The interior is nice, has lots of extras and the ride itself is smooth. This is a very dependable car and I would recommend it to others. The key is getting one with low mileage and was well maintained. The trunk space is huge, and stereo system very good. The engine and transmission are solid with the exception of the hidden radiator and no way of checking it. Suspension is fine. Not the best on gas however. There are really no complaints here. A good investment.

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  Henry Ford Would Be Proud - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By John Dixson - May 3 - 9:56 pm

  With 1500 miles on this car, I can report that it performs exactly as the sales literature proclaims, and isnt that a rarity. I routinely average 34.8 mpg around town and 31.4 on I-95 here in South Florida. Handling is stable and predictable, cruise control is tight in terms of holding speed, and the nav/audio/energy flow displays work well. Nav system is certainly superior to the nav in our 2006 E-Class Diesel. Only 1500 miles, but zero discrepancies on this vehicle. Delivery quality control was excellent: for example, upon driving the vehicle home, I checked all tire pressures, and each one of the four was exactly 35.5 psi.