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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  best car made in america - 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Murph - October 11 - 9:36 pm

  great in every category, room, comfort and great road mileage (over 425 miles per tank full) but a bit poor in local driving.

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  Very satified - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By daveo - October 11 - 8:46 pm

  Having owned Ford Tarus before I decided to try a Mercury. The V-6 has plenty of power and when you want to get going at Interstate speeds just kick it and the motor answers back. The ride is excellent. Seats are very comfortable. The exterior appearance has a very sporty look. This Mercury is not your Fathers Mmercury. I love just driving the car each and every time I set behind the wheel. The V-6 24 valve engine is very lively. What a fun car.

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  What a car!! - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By DJ - October 11 - 9:20 am

  I was thinking about buying a used Audi, but by chance we came across Milan. We went to dealership to check it out. As soon as we saw it and checked the interior, we knew it was it. The car is stylish, loaded with features, and great price. It drives like a sports car, and feels like a luxury car. Worth every penny!!

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  I made the right choice - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By dcsteg - October 7 - 11:53 pm

  I have been researching this vehicle for several months in the automoblle magazines. It is everything I expected it to be. Build quality is excellent. Black paint is perfect. Interior well thought out with good fit and quality. The ride is a lot more confortable than the Mark 8 I traded in, and gas milage is in the mid 18s. Dealership gave me a great deal and with the 1.9 financeing it was a go.

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  Lovin It - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jeanne Ambrogio - October 7 - 3:20 pm

  I have a 2002 with 82,000 miles and except for the normal oil changes and tune up it has NEVER given me a problem. I love it and Ford Credit has been very supportive through my bad times

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  Great family-business car - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By Mark Sell - October 6 - 3:13 am

  Just bought our silver, 11,000-mile 2005 Montego Premier with full safety package and were delighted with its performance on 2k-mile trip. Power is adequate, if not inspiring, but handling is nimble and sure-footed and it makes a great road cruiser. It is comfortable, pleasant and a pleasure on the road - versatile enough for a family with teens, classy enough for clients. Fuel economy is fair at about 24 mpg. Our Lincoln-Mercury dealership is quite good. This is Calvinist luxury; it has the amenities of a luxury car, but interior feels more sturdy than buttery. In other words, it works on a dinner date, a client drive or a trip to the vet.

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  Great SUV - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By rmb181 - October 4 - 12:30 am

  I have owned this SUV for about 2 months and have just over 1400 miles on it. My wife and I just love this SUV. Between the styling (both inside and out) and the comfort, this SUV is the best car I have ever owned. Theres not one day where I dont like driving it. The interior is comfortable with the leather seating, third row and power fold down feature. The Mountaineer comes with more features than the Explorer in the same price range. Only suggestion I could make is to splurge and get the V8 engine. The V6 is a little sluggish, although it consumes gas like the V8. Thats the only complaint I have with this SUV is the gas mileage. Other than that, my wife and I love it. Buy it!

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  ROCK SOLID! - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By lee - October 2 - 11:23 pm

  My 2008 Milan AWD looks sharp in black w/ spoiler and 2 tone leather interior.Has all the options except navigation.I never had to do anything,not even put air in the tires except w/ oil changes.Takes a curve at 75 mph on the parkway w/o any problem. Getting 30 mpg if going 70 and under.Fun to drive,handles well,love the little things I used to have in my Lincoln like the keypad on the door,compass,auto headlights,calculated mpg etc.but for a lot less money than a Lincoln.My friend has a Lexus 250 IS Awd that cost 10,000 more, has less features,plain interior and has had problems to boot!Go Ford and keep up the good work!

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  Nickys car - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Nicky Aviles - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I get an excellent ride for the money Ive paid on this car. It has never given me any type of problem. I would recommend this car very highly. As a matter of fact, Ill be getting a newer version of this car in the very near future.

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  A Reliable Car - 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Paul P - September 26 - 10:13 am

  Our 2008 Grand Marquis has been both a fun and reliable vehicle. Around town gas mileage is not a good as our 1997 Crown Victoria - Crown Vic was in the 16-17 mpg range, and the Grand Marquis is in the 14-15 range. While a major consumer magazine calls it an old and stodgy vehicle, it suits us just fine. Were very pleased with it.