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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  Lovin it - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By milaning - November 25 - 9:40 am

  This car is by far one of the BEST values in the mid-size car segment. Forget Honda Forget Toyota!!! nice cars but WAY over rated. I drove the new accord (had a 00 accord ex) and the 06 Toyota. Great point A to B cars but if you want to LOVE being in the drivers seat you have to test drive this car!!! If you do, I bet you will buy it!!!

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  A Great Car for the Money - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Brian Wilson - November 22 - 8:36 pm

  Performs very well. My only complaint is that it didnt come with a retractable antenna as an option. I guess if thats my only complaint, it must be a good car!

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  Lots of Mileage - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Sailor - November 19 - 9:53 am

  I have had my Milan for 9 months and have put on 37,000 miles. No problems but even the dealer does not have brake pads in stock yet. The lumbar in the drivers seat broke but other than that, I love the car and will be trading her in for another in a year or so.

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  First SUV and love it - 2007 Mercury Mariner
  By Mercury - November 16 - 10:10 am

  Its my first SUV and I think I made the right choice. We looked at alot and ended up choosing the Mercury. I love it. Ive only had it 2 months but we had alot of snow in those 2 months and it handles great. Which is one of the reasons I wanted 4WD. I havent had any problems at all with the vehicle.

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  Great Car - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By jim5660 - November 14 - 11:28 pm

  Most of the reviews on the car are positive. However,if you read the Edmunds review, it sounds like this car belongs in the 19th century. What is the purpose of a car? To get one from point A to point B safely, comfortably, and reasonably economically. The Grand Marquis does all of this very well. I get 27 MPG on the highway and average 23 around town. I drive it conservatively. Im tired of Edmunds and others running down these cars in favor of more sporty handling vehicles that corner better. What the heck do you need that for? As for interior space, the claim that the Sable is just as big is just not true. The Sable is 6" narrower. Maybe the experts need to reassess a cars purpose.

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  69000 Miles of Joy - 2006 Mercury Montego
  By Merc Fan - November 12 - 3:40 pm

  I was looking for a replacement for my reliable 2000 Mercury Sable LS with 225,000 and saw this car on the the net. The car had 6000 miles on it and was like new,from a Lincoln Mercury dealer, in Mertlot with a tan interior. The car other than the rear brakes replaced under the TSB there have no service other than maintenance. This car has been a joy to own and on long drives. This car is the best secret in the auto business with great features, great gas mileage 32-38 mpg expressway and 22-25 city drivung with an average of 27 mpg overall and great comfort. The car is in made in Chicago with great fit and finish.

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  Quiet and comfortable ride - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Liney - November 5 - 4:10 am

  Just purchased 1 mo ago. Ride very good, quiet With all the cold winter weather it is too soon to appraise gas mileage. In limited short trip city driving averge mpg so far about 16. Acceleration has been more than adequate. Went from van to Montego and am pleased with the drivers seat height and visibity - much better for me than most sedans (too low). Front passenger space seems a bit confining. Leg room in back is excellent.

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  Nice car - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By Steeler - November 2 - 6:16 pm

  Replaced my wifes VW Jetta with this AWD Milan. Very happy so far with this car. Interior is comfortable and attractive in 2-tone with the wood dash trim. Power is acceptable. While you wont win many drag races you will have no trouble accelerating safely onto the highway. Ride blends a sporty feel without being to harsh. Gas mileage could be better, hopefully it will improve as mileage adds up. Overall a lot of car for the money.

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  Our second Mountaineer - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By eleprd - October 27 - 10:00 am

  This is our second Mercury Mountaineer. We love it!!

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  2004 Mercury Monterey Lurury van - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By Louis J. Nelson - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Especially like fold down rear seat, vehicle is very responsive, like rear and front sensors and canopy air bag system. I am still strong on American cars and would never own a foreign one as I see cancer (rust & eaten away metal) on many of the foreigners and some GMC models.