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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  Good Solid Car- Great Used Value - 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By robert - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I have had 3 Grand Marquis. A 1985 that I drove to 250 K! A used 1990 that I drive to 200K. The last car was a used 1996 and in has 98K on it. No problems a good solid cars. 2011 is the last year. This was a great car from a generation ago, well built, cheap to run, and it will be missed by me.

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  SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By junglewank - December 17 - 2:00 am

  When I was looking for a car I had never thought that a cougar would be the one. But when I saw the new XR package I knew I had found the car I was looking for. So far I have nothing but great things to say about the car; it drives great, looks great and is an awesome car for picking up chicks. The stereo system is also great and the leather seats are so comfortable. The car has great steering and makes tough, sharp right turns easy. This is a great car worth every penny spent.

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  Great Value for the Money - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By dmers1 - December 15 - 5:10 am

  Power is quite good for a V-6, 260 HP and it shifts very smooth with the 6 speed Automatic. The oil filter is located in a pretty good spot and I use my drive up ramps using 5W-20 oil every 7500 miles. I changed at 2500 the first time to get factory grit out of the engine as I tend to keep cars quite a long time. This car starts every time and never misses no matter what temperature__4-8 degree mornings for us. The only problem, I had was an out of adjustment cruise control switch on the brake pedal that would kick out the cruise occasionally. I took it to a nearby Ford dealer for a quick fix and that was it. I did buy the extended 6 year/100K mile warranty since I still remember the $1800

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  o3 mercury marauder - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By j.n. brown - December 14 - 2:00 am

  very nice car not a all out hotrod but very capable decent ride and good handeling we have owned 14 porsche autos and other high performance cars and like the mercury very much .

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  Great Van - 2000 Mercury Villager
  By TJ - December 13 - 7:56 pm

  We purchased this van new and it has been an excellent vehicle. We currently have 173,000 miles and all original equipment. Its never been in the shop except for maintenance items. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one if we still needed a van. We purchased a new 2008 Ford Edge and love that too. Ill probably sell the van at 200K just so I can get a new car.

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  Great All Around Car - 2007 Mercury Montego
  By Peter - December 12 - 9:53 am

  I have been driving my Montego about six months ago and continue to enjoy it every time I drive it. The CVT transmission took about a week to get used to and now when I drive my wifes 5 speed automatic Honda I find my self missing the CVT. I have been getting between 23-27 mpg depending on the amount of highway/city driving that I am doing. Seats are very comfortable and the cabin is very quiet again better than my wifes Honda. It is a little slow off the start and could use more power but that is the only real complaint. Handles well, love the HID headlights, plenty of room in cabin and in the trunk (can fit my skis in with out folding down the seat). Great performer for the money.

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  Great SUV - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By dimes_for_slim - December 7 - 10:00 am

  This has ben a bullet proof, reliable vehicle on all accounts. Perfect compromise of size, space, and fuel efficiency. Other than the Firestone tire debacle, the only service this vehicle has required was oil and filter changes.

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  Myrauder - 2004 Mercury Marauder
  By Mattotack - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Awesome car. Great to drive. Great handling. Great Interrior. Great Exterrior. Great Sound. Great Engine. Great Car. Just great everything

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  Excellent SUV - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By cedar70726 - November 30 - 4:23 pm

  This car features extremely nimble handling. This is strengthened by strong low-end torque provided by the electric motor. For a small SUV interior space is surprisingly large. Seems well made with a rigid body structure that makes it feel very safe. Excellent visiblity in every direction. Hybrid components work flawlessly together.When willing to drive the speed limit (city or highway) I consistenly get around 30 mpg. Very careful driving will do even better in town. Unfortunately the car invites a heavy foot which drops the mileage to 25 or less. Still this is way better than our 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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  Great Marquis - 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By John Lunn - November 27 - 3:48 pm

  This is my third Grand Marquis in a row, and Im trying to get another before the 2011 model, the last. Im truly sorry this model has been discontinued.