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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  Its a sad, sad day. - 2002 Mercury Sable
  By rstravis - August 31 - 10:33 pm

  10 years ago, I sold Lincolns and Mercurys. So when I needed to buy a car 5 years ago I knew the Sable was a good choice, as long as I got the LS (Duratec Engine). I loved the engine, the leather, the power seat, etc., and knew that engin e was reliable. I was right. 5 years with no major problems (just a blower motor which I fixed for 50 bucks). Just paid it off 3 weeks ago, and planned to drive it to 200k (it has 108 now), but I crashed today and the car is totalled. 4 car accident, and it was smashed pretty good. I was the first to get out of my car and felt fine besides a sore neck. So thats one more reason to love my Sable. Ill miss it.

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  Likin it - 2005 Mercury Montego
  By StewartFan - August 30 - 1:43 am

  I traded my Lincoln LS in for a roomier car and I got it! Its only 6" longer but has ever so much more room. I went for the Premier AWD because my Lincoln was soooo bad in snow. I got used to all the nice amenities though so I went for it in the Montego. I have not been disappointed and with the CVT transmission, I dont find any lack of power when I need it. So far, I think its a great car for the money!

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  Great all around - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By OCEAN - August 29 - 3:56 am

  weelll i got the 2000 v6 mercury cougar, and i have to say. its very appeling to the eye, great handling and i love the exterior and interior. Ive added a few things to my cougar to make it a bit to, well how can i say this, so it could look more like a true sports car. ITS look beutiful. Ive added a kit, spoiler, rims, z3 fender, and a top of the line pantjob. with these improvement the mercury cougar beat the celica, eclipse,civc and probable any other mid-size sport car

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  2002 Mercury Cougar V6 Sport - Thumbs Up - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Caladan - August 25 - 10:00 am

  For what it is, a 2 door (plus hatch) sport coupe, I am very pleased with the 2002 Mercury Cougar. Its not a car for everyone, but I like it. A sporty look inside and out, but is still fairly economical and reliable. Handles well around town or on the Interstate. The car is so smooth it hardly seems like youre going fast when the speedo reaches the higher numbers. Fold down split rear seats make for ample cargo room in the rear of the vehicle. No mechanical problems in 10,000 miles and the dealer has treated me very well during routine maintenance. This car is a real bargain if you want something fun, reliable and economical.

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  TSB 08-24-4 fixed transmission bump - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By JS - August 24 - 7:00 am

  Initially had bad shifting problem when coming to a stop and felt a horrendous bump from behind when it shifted from 2nd to 1st gear - as described from several other reviews. Ford Has a TSB 08-24-4 for reprogramming the transmission that they performed for free at the dealer I purchased from. Bought used with 56K with Ford Premium Care 48k mile warranty. The funnest vehicle I have ever owned now that trans is smoothed out. This is a issue that took Ford 2 years to get a final fix. This covers 2006-2008 Mercury Mountaineers, Ford Explorers and Sport Tracs with the 4.6 V8 6R60 transmissions. TSB 08-24-4 is the updated fix for the transmission bump that occurs when stopping. Google it.

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  Excellent Car! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By RT - August 23 - 7:16 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used in Nov. 2000. The vehicle only had 8,500 miles on it when purchased. It now has 122,000 miles and is still going strong. I have not had any problems! I no plans for replacing it.

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  great car - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By johndobek - August 22 - 9:46 pm

  i have had this car for a couple years now and i love it. rides great and handles better. its a perfect blend of performance and luxury. the one thing that stands out is how quiet the car is. owning not as long as i have i dont realize it until i get into my wifes jetta. there is no wind noise!

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  Mariner Hybrid - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By nshomo - August 21 - 11:20 pm

  i have been more than satisfied with my mercury mariner hybrid - i am averaging 31 - 32mpg - and its only about 1/4 city driving - would be great if battery power were extended on future cars -

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  HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By fred - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis when I was tight on money, I have never purchased a used car in my life. Being a little nervous I did some research online and it seemed like every web site I went to had great things to say about the crown victoria and the grand marquis. After looking at both, I liked the look of the grand marquis better. I have had this car for about 2 years now and I can say that this is the best performing, most comfortable, pleasing to drive car that I have ever owned.

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  Sable beats Toyota & Honda - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By Michael McLachlan - August 21 - 10:00 am

  The Mercury Sable is a fine automobile and a well-kept secret by Ford Motor Company. Theyve built a terrific car that is SUPERIOR to Toyota and Honda rivals. The value of this car far exceeds the high purchase proce and high maintenance costs of the Japanese imports.