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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  Tanklike safety; great handling; very reliable - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By topvalueguy - April 10 - 6:39 am

  Got this car used in 2012 with only 24,300 miles on it. Had an older Lexus GS300 prior to this. So far I really like the Panther platform. I have replaced one fuel pump; otherwise, no driveability issues. Electronic Climate Control was out, which I fixed myself with an aftermarket part. Cruise control was out, and is still out; just havent needed it. Factory CD player died, so replaced with a Pioneer unit. Fake chrome trim pieces were damaged so I replaced with store-bought new ones.

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  I really want to love it, but 4 years later... - 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By teknooh - April 8 - 12:24 pm

  After owning mine for 4+ years, Ive had more problems than I expected. Most recently, the air conditioning system is being repaired for a second time, and the cost of this repair exceeds what the dealership is authorized to provide (so it has to be Ford approved). Other fun includes a sensor under the front passenger seat failed and had to be replaced, and early on the SYNC software had to be wiped and completely reinstalled. Since about 30K miles Ive had it in several times for a popping noise (like a bad knee joint) under the hood, and each time theyve replaced some other part that was going bad but, the noise still persists. Unfixable I guess. Thank god for extended warranties!

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  loved it so much i bought a new 2003 - 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By setun2 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  this car has been a jewel. we have driven it for 5 years and it is paid for so i bought my wife a new 2003 in may of 2003.

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  jasmin Review - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jasmin2002 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  The only problems I can report are 1. Transmission clunks into gear 2. When very very cold the heater doesnt come on for some time (i.e. 10 to 15 minutes)

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  Best Hybrid SUV choice...I think - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Hybrid Hunter - April 1 - 3:56 am

  If this SUV had more "Hybrid" competition, it would likely score lower w/me. But since there are few SUV "True Hybrids" out there, this one scores pretty well. Overall I really like it. It is fairly fun to drive, gets decent mileage (27 overall - great for a 4WD SUV), has surprising performance, has Nav, etc. There are downsides... Its ridiculously priced - 33K for an Escape w/a Hybrid drive! It should be in the 25-27K range when compared w/similar SUVs (assuming a 5K Hybrid markup). Buy it used like I did - paid 27k w/only 1,700 miles on it. Other than the Nav/Radio, inside its a very plain (and dated) Ford product. CD changer under the seat is insane. And the seat cushions are too short.

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  Waited for 2008 and Glad - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By JFS - March 24 - 12:16 pm

  Almost bot 2005 Montego but backed out at the last minute. Was nervous over engine and quirky CVT. 08 offer sufficent power, smooth 6 spd trany. All other features - space, ride, safety, still there. USA Today auto editor said that front end bounces too much over sharp bumps. I cant find this at all. Some have said that 6 spd trans too slow to downshift and "hunts" too much for right gear. I disagree again. Exterior design may not be a medal winner but certainly not ugly. Is some tire noise w/ 18" Pirellis but no where near a deal breaker. A very underated car.

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  I like my Sable. - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By Kay Cole - March 8 - 1:13 pm

  I enjoyed driving my Sable, it is easy to park, and handle around town. It has the power under the hood when I need it on the road.

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  A lot of plusses, two big minuses - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Mark - March 5 - 10:50 am

  My Mountaineer is the basic design with the V-8. No other frills. Fun to drive. Excellent smooth ride. Great stereo. Nice and dependable A/C. In all a great car to take the long distance as I have driven about 155K miles - mostly highway. Two big minuses: Transmission and rear axle. The right rear axle losing its fluid and freezing up could be chalked up to back luck. However, the bad transmission is a systemic problem for most of these Mercs. The local transmission mechanic told me this. One would be lucky to get in 50K miles. Mine started going bad around 40K, but not bad enough to use the drivetrain warranty - according to the dealer.

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  Delightful but underpowered - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By jjenny - March 4 - 11:20 am

  Loaded with nice touches: All steering wheel mounted controls lighted, exterior temp on dash, lighted clock remains operative with radio controls, interior rearview mirror magically dims following lights, ground lights from side mirrors, able to control duration of exit lights lag, keyless entry pad permits trunk and 4 door unlatch.

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  An average vehicle - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By jhood1590 - March 1 - 10:03 am

  This is my second mountaineer, I bought it brand new and got a deal because the mercury dealership was going out of business. The interior quality has decreases dramatically from the 2002 model I previously drove. It looks nice inside, just cheaply quality. Navigation makes it look very nice, and is very functional. Sound system is great. Exterior quality is OK. The paint has always been excellent on Fords, but the rims are a real problem. I dont recommend the polished aluminum rims. They have a terrible protective coat and a week of salt will destroy them. Ford customer service has always been awful, but the vehicles are a pretty good deal.