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:

• 

  Reviewing the 2001 Sable LS Premium - 2001 Mercury Sable
  By mgparry - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Pro: it is a fun car to drive with great feel for the road. The 24 valve engine has significant power for passing, etc. Variable position brake and accelerator pedal convenient for the best driving position. Con: seats may be too firm for some drivers. Some wind noise on the hwy.

• 

  My Sable - 1997 Mercury Sable
  By Jay - October 27 - 5:53 pm

  I bought my sable Valentines day and i was very iffy about buying one. but now i know with regular maintenance it should make it to end

• 

  Almost great but disappointing - 2008 Mercury Mariner
  By jesse - October 26 - 7:46 pm

  Very nice fit and finish as well as peppy. Engine feels fine and steering is very good. The only problem is with the transmission. It is the worst trans I have every had in a car. It shifts when it shouldnt and doesnt shift when it should. Service told me that the problems I have explained to them are normal for the car. Other than the trans, I would rate the car a ten but because of such a flaw in a major component I would give it a 7 overall.

• 

  2000 Mercury Cougar V6 - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By auttie95 - October 25 - 5:02 pm

  I got this car for my first car and so far i had to replace my battery...spend $300 cause my engine light was on but come to find out it was my O2 sensors...my door sensors are all broken and my sunroof is broke...SUCKS ON GAS !!! it also makes a really weird noise when i start it up and the RPMS go crazy

• 

  Stump pulling torque - 2001 Mercury Mountaineer
  By fordgirl - October 23 - 10:00 am

  After driving various sedans and sports cars for the last 12 years, this is a refreshing luxury. The ability to jump into any traffic & be able to merge seamlessly is a pleasure. I also like to be high up to see all the traffic around me. This also offers me the ability to haul all of my clients & all our stuff.

• 

  outstanding - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By AMCS (AW) USN - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Ive had only one problem with my Mercury since 1999. I replaced the Idel control motor. A $89 part that took longer to drive accross town and pick up than to replace. It is the ideal family car. 27 miles to the gallon on the highway! More trunk space that you can imagine. Once you own one you will never buy a tin can again. I have replace the tires a little early on the wifes request. Outstanding car.

• 

  04 mercury monterey - 2006 Mercury Monterey
  By millerfam0128 - October 21 - 7:58 pm

  I just had my monterey for I think 4 years. It was on 04 loaded model. I loved it!! My kids loved it!! didnt have any major problems with it and drove it from NJ to Florida each year. I bought it used and it was in great condition. I recently just had a terrible car accident and rolled it and all. It was amazing my whole family of 5 walked away. No one could believe it!! That car saved our lives!! Im now trying to find another one used.

• 

  Great car - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By Luv It - October 21 - 4:13 pm

  Purchased this 04 Sable LS with 7800 miles on it from a dealership in Brandeton, Fl. The exterior design is beautiful and it is a classy looking car. The interior cabin is all leather and it is one of the most comfortable cars I have driven including those so- called luxury cars. The gas mileage could be better,(17mpg city,and 22mpg on the highway) Driving this car on the highway is like sitting in your living room in a very comfortable leather chair. You have very little feeling of motion and you do not feel the road at all. The sound system is quite good and the A/C climate control is wonderful. Set the interior temperature and relax in comfort. Great car!! 2005 is the last model yr.

• 

  Third review, now at 80,000 miles - 2004 Mercury Monterey
  By Almon - October 21 - 1:23 am

  This van continues to be the best auto purchase I have made over 40 years of driving.I have had two repairs over the past six years. A door lock and an AC compressor last year. Total for both $900.00. This van is solid on the road and comfortable for my 62" 250 pound frame. Interior is very flexible. Pick up and passing performance seems to have improved over the years. I average 16 mpg city and 23mpg highway.

• 

  Warranty - 2009 Mercury Mariner
  By Michael - October 20 - 2:46 pm

  Be aware that the Ford warranty states that if your vehicle must be kept overnight, they owe you NOTHING. No loaner, no rental, no reimbursement. NOTHING. My eight month old Mariner began losing transmission fluid at 8800 miles. I took in in to the dealer and a WEEK later they tell me that they are waiting for a replacement axle. This is a recurring problem for the Ford and Merc Escape/Mariner which is leading to a shortage of parts. Service Manager told me he has two vehicles waiting for that axle. This is the last Ford product for me.