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 Car I LOVE & HATE - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By melifluffy - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Cougar brand spanking new and I thought it was the best thing I had ever done. For about 10,000 miles I loved my car and then my car became a regular at the Mercury dealers repair shop. I have had many many problems including bad breaks, a faulty gas gage, a malfunctioning fuel pump, alternator, leaking windows (which have yet to be fixed after 4 trips to the dealer), and lately my power windows have refused to go up or down. I will never recommend this car to anyone and I personally will never buy a car in the Ford/Mercury line ever again. Although my car is beautiful to look at, beauty doesnt keep this car running and/or out of the shop.

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  Solid Performer - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Steve D. - November 25 - 8:10 pm

  Purchases about two years ago with about 50K miles. Now at 120K and and very happy with purchase. Two repairs - one front wheel bearing at about $300 and a $600 complete brake job (front/rear rotors, and rear calipers). Otherwise, no problems. I do mostly highway driving and get about 20-21mpg with a V8 consistently. Comfortable ride. Good quality build. Amazingly, after 120K miles, no rattles or squeaks! Styling still looks fresh after 7 years. Bottom line - very solid SUV and a very good value.

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  140,000 miles and going strong - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By denx5 - November 25 - 6:56 pm

  I bought my 04 Sable in the spring of 05. It was a program car and I got a great deal on it. Its been absolutely problem free from day one. Only oil changes, 1 set of tires and 1 set of brake pads. It has really sold me on Ford products again. Currently looking for another program car just coming off lease. I saved a ton over new car cost and definitely got my moneys worth. Next car will be an 08 Sable, probably another program car. You know old ladies drive em so theyre not abused. Oh yeah, it seems like this 3.0 duratec gets better with age. The car feels like it has more power than it did at 20K which is how many miles it had when I bought it.

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  Mercury keeps making, Ill keep leasing - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By my second Mariner - November 24 - 9:00 am

  Im on my second Mariner. Leased the first year model and then upgraded to second generation. Love this vehicle. I am able to get a solid 26 MPG on highway trips. And thats doing 75 mph when able. My dealer didnt believe it so I sent him a picture text when I reached it. Cant make that number up. Hope he uses it for future customers. No problems with comfort, reliability, safety, and the commercial that came out with the husband and wife fighting over the Mariner was exactly what my husband I do on a constant basis. I think he loves it even more than I do.

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  Wonderful Slightly Used Luxury Car Value - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Webbmeister - November 21 - 6:06 pm

  I have owned one Crown Victoria and one Grand Marquis over the past 14 years. these cars were reliable, quiet, powerful, and comfortable. In fact, the 2000 MGM I just retired (still in the driveway - still runs great!) has 215,000 miles on it. That car was driven over 100,000 miles after the car payments ended, and needed nothing more than regular maintenance and replacement of wear items. I expect the same from the 2007 just purchased. This cars initial drop in value makes riding in luxury delightfully inexpensive. It was put into service as a Ford program car 9 months and 7000 miles ago. I paid $17,000 for it, a $13,000 drop from MSRP. If not for the odometer youd think it was brand new.

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  2002 Sable Wagon - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By bloviator - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I also own a 2000 sable and this one is even better. Great price performer

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  2000 Mercury Sable - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By bloviator - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Definitely a good price performer. I bought a 2002 sable wagon because I was so satisfied.

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  Mixed bag - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Joe Woelfel - November 20 - 8:46 pm

  The exterior styling and colors were very nice. I would choose something other than a light color interior. It shows low mileage wear badly. Great performance. Mediocre mileage both highway and city. Lots of road noise in the interior.

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  Quote - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By ColeenPFile - November 20 - 1:46 pm

  I liked this car very well. I get excellent gas mileage and have owned this car for almost 10 years. It has never given me any problem. I did replace the tires in 2007. Not worn out just dry rot.

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  My Best Car - 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Jo Knapp - November 19 - 3:10 am

  Ive owned many cars in my lifetime and this is the best one Ive ever had. Never had any mechanical problems. Gas mileage at 20 mpg for a V8 is unbelievable. Comfortable ride with spacious interior. Style hasnt changed much over the years. I dont think they can improve on it!