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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  Mercury Villager - 2002 Mercury Villager
  By Steve - February 28 - 4:43 pm

  This is our second Mercury Villager. There great vans. We have always been pleased.

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  Good car but sometimes expensive to fix - 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Joe - February 25 - 1:50 am

  I have owned this car for 3 years. The problems i have encountered so far: - new brake lines (rotted at 88k) $300 -steering gearbox seal (102k) $90 -pitman arm and idler arm -tie rod and tie rod end (common) -lower balljoint on driver side (VERY COMMON) -muffler hangers ($20) - new headlight lens(peeling) very common -egr valve gives code, cant get valve out, in tight space ($300 to replace at mechanic) The above problems i have encountered was mostly wear and tear and things that DIDNT go while the car was driving it. I havent had any problems other than maintanance items that keep the car going. I have enjoyed driving the car and recommend highly!

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  Decent - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By Jabba - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Moved to the Sable Wagon from a Plymouth Grand Voyager. The wagon seems smaller on the road but sure is larger putting it in the garage! Excellent ride and visibility. Clean, classy looking front end styling but slab sided, and dated rear end styling. Our local Ford/Mercury dealer is clueless for service so I do it myself or take it to the next dealer 30 miles away. Be sure to get the 24-valve motor - we didnt and regret it.

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  2008 Mercury Mariner 4WD Hybrid - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By ddelano - February 19 - 2:30 am

  Love the new interior quality and the DVD nav system. Still getting used to the large appearing snout and high beltline, but people are looking and asking. Traded an 07 Escape 4wd hybrid which compared to the 08 is shameful. Many, many more amenities this yr, such as outside temp, compass, dual zone climate control, tire press. monitoring, trick center console, color keyed side view mirrors, thicker laminated glass in front and auto dimming rr view mirror etc.,and the price is about a grand less. This indeed is progress. Bold move? Dunno, but its got a bold front clip! Great ride!

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  2007 Mercury Marineer - 2007 Mercury Mariner
  By Charles McCoin - February 15 - 1:10 pm

  Wiper control Switch is a little confusing and takes a while to get used to. Light switch controls are clumsy. Other than these this seems to be a good comfortable vehicle. It would help if it had heated mirrors to keep ice off the mirrors.

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  Great Car - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Jim - February 15 - 8:33 am

  I bought this car after the 2006 models had come out. The car is roomy, comfortable and has all the features I want. The dealer discounted the AWD with the CVT transmission. The transmission is very smooth but I only get 25 MPG on the highway and about 20 in town. My guess is that the MPG would be better without the AWD. Its a great car and Id buy another one. I like the name Montego much better than Sable. I had a 1992 Sable and it fell apart at 50,000 miles.

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  Be Prepared for a Rough Ride - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By Rough Rider! - February 10 - 7:16 pm

  Bought this car used and was very impressed with the overall style of the the car from first sight. The car runs excellent, sound system meets standards as well. Not very impressed with where the seat warmer buttons are since the passenger seat automatically turns on when someone gets in and the loudness of the car is overwhelming. Takes ALL bumps big or small very hard. There seems to be no give in the suspension or shocks when riding over any thing that disrupts the smoothness in the asphalt. Does not handle water very well either. Likes to hydroplane even in the smallest amount of water. Not recommended for any type of off roading! Also very poor fuel mileage

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  08 Sable - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By Merlin - February 9 - 4:00 pm

  Traded a Honda Accord 06, EX-L, for this 08 Mercury Sable. So far Im extremely pleased with this car. I gave up nothing in terms of build quality and find it much more comfortable than the Honda. Would certainly recommend it to those looking for superior car at a reasonable price.

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  Great car for "nin com poop" - 1995 Mercury Villager
  By John Keller - February 9 - 4:16 am

  I have 216,000 miles on this vehicle. It was a plain jane for about $19,000. I have never had vehicle last as long. Perhaps I have had two water pumps and other various services. Unlike other cars, I have maintained this. I honestly hope to get another three years out of this. Wife put high end Michelin tires on it recently. My second set of mats bought at time I got vehicle are starting to show wear. Just ordered owners manual that I losta few years ago. Thought it was worthwhile investment.I would buy another!

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  I love my sable - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By MR SABLE! - February 4 - 7:53 pm

  good car, my tranny went after 122,000 miles, got it replaced and she runs fine. its also pretty fast