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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  Bought Used - 2001 Mercury Cougar
  By Mr x - October 23 - 10:00 am

  I love my new car, I know its a bit early and Ive only driven her about 50 miles... I can say it can hold up over a few years unlike other Ford products. If the car is well kept it always looks modern and sporty, I armor all every 200 miles, so far it drives great although sometimes the open door buzz goes a little too long, build quality is very solid and the steering wheel is awsome compared to most cars,because it has a heavy "meaty" feel to it, I am a teen and I can say the little features along with over all quality is a perfect match. The car is cheep in terms of its type, its out of production but has ons of parts so it will always look good. gas mileage is about 25 mpg highway.

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  Love it much! - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By LibbyTFerguson - October 23 - 10:00 am

  I actually love the "bumpy" truck ride of my 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. I will be so bummed out when I need a new one and have to settle for the smoother ride. But, I dont know if I will ever buy another type of vehicle EVER again. It is my favorite of all time and I was one of those girls in the late 80s early 90s who had a Chrysler LeBaron convertable. Mine was even manual turbo transmission with cruise control! My dealer keeps sending me notices saying "We want your 2000 Mountaineer, its in demand!" I know its a ploy to get me to buy a new car, but I agree with anyone who would steal it from me. What a TRUCK! XXXOOO to whoever designed it.

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  207,500 and Going Strong - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Ralph - October 22 - 8:46 am

  Bought the Merc at 70,000. Car has been the most reliable I have ever owned. Wife loves the soft ride. I wish it had a handling package. Fuel averages 24 on highway. Good for a Big car. Interior is very comfortable. Cupholders block Climate control access. No problems at all. Still has original Starter and Alternator. I will buy my 3rd and 4th GM soon. I will get LS model for my wife and I will get a used Marauder for me. Great Car!

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  Transmission!! - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By lb330011 - October 18 - 8:05 am

  I had to participate in the recall on the transmission a couple years ago after having my car less than a year. Today I go to start it and the transmission is completely out! Never again will I buy a Ford. The customer service is horrible and of course the new transmission issue has nothing to do with them.

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  Great Buy - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Hppyintx - October 15 - 2:26 pm

  Mercury hit a huge win with this car.I have owned 6 Lincoln Mercury products and have given up on the imports for quality. The car is well appointed great performance and very luxurious as well. Gas mileage beats my company hybrid.

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  First Mercury and couldnt be happier! - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By Scott - October 15 - 12:46 pm

  I purchased an AWD Premier loaded with navigation. It absorbs the bumps very well, its quiet, has a great stereo, and it handled extremely well in a rainstorm with high winds on my last trip. The 6-speed auto shifts very smoothly. Its a very solid-built car. I especially like the reverse remote sensors when you back up. Ive had 2 Honda Accords in the past 6 years, and this Mercury beats them by far. I would buy another Mercury in a heartbeat.

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  2007 Grand Marquis, Great road car - 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Real Cowboy - October 13 - 5:23 pm

  This is my first Grand Marquis and I think its a great car. People seem to want to talk about how it has a lack of handling with some roll in the corners or how it should look more sporty or its lack of power. This is a large semi luxury vehicle, its not a race car. This is a great road car and when buying a nice comfortable vehicle these points are mute. If you want a sporty suspension with more power then doint buy it, but if you want a vehicle that delivers a good ride, decent fuel economy (for its size at 25 mpg highway) and plenty of room for the family at a reasonable price then this is the car for you.

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  One Great Wagon - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By Stoggs - October 13 - 11:13 am

  This is one great, practical Wagon. The 3.0 24 valve 200hp engine is very powerful, handling is great, flat through the turns and I can get 7 people in it as long as three of them are children. Driving comfort is very good also. The climate contol is perfect. So far it been the most dependable car Ive owned. I highly recommend it.

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  From Lexus to Merc - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By Gordkeys - October 11 - 5:40 am

  I wanted all wheel drive in a comfortable smaller SUV. I had a lexus sedan and wanted to go American. My wife leased a Mariner recently and is in love with it. I rather liked it more than I thought I would, and found few vehicles that were as functional, comfortable, and well priced as the Merc. Also the 0% financing was a strong motivator. Its surprisingly good, and I dont miss the Japanese competitors. I am hoping to say that in years to come. Go Ford.

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  Great Driving - 1999 Mercury Villager
  By Roisin - October 9 - 10:00 am

  The van has been an exceptionally great vehicle. Just before the warranty expired we had to replace both headlight harnesses because of electrical faults. The radio & clock display just failed as well as most of the instrument lights on the ETC air conditioner control. The bulbs for the A/c control are not available at the dealer. The radio display has not been repaired because of the great cost.