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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  Missy - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By MissyGaff - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Experience so far is excellent, great ride, love having the radio and heat controls on the steering wheel.

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  99 Mountaineer - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By jas2 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Overall excellent vehicle. I experienced a minor irritant with the top interior front door moldings. The passenger side clip broke a couple years ago, and I periodically have to re-secure it. The privacy screen objected when my dachshund climbed on it when it was deployed--but who would expect it not to? My husband got it to work again, but the retractor spring is weak.

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  Sure beats the Dodge and Chrysler - 2005 Mercury Monterey
  By Eaugalle1 - May 21 - 5:56 am

  I have owned both Dodge and Ford mini vans in the past and this is a great improvement over my previous Ford Windstar vans and a world of difference over over the Dodge which was the worst vehicle I have ever owned. My friends like the new Hondas and Toyota mini vans but I find them way to expensive and the Honda is far more noisy, the power is not as good as the Mercury and the milage is about the same. Also I was able to buy the Mercury for over $3000. less with the same features as the Honda. I for one cannot justify the higher prices for the Honda and Toyota.

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  Most bang for the buck - 2006 Mercury Milan
  By Howard - May 18 - 7:50 am

  I went to the Detroit Auto Show to pick up a discount coupon for Mercury Montego but fell for the Milan instead, and bought one identical to the one on display at the auto show. In terms of value for dollars spent this is the best car Ive ever owned. For the last 10 years Ive felt that Ford (and GM) have tried to sell the least car for the most money. With the Milan I feel Ford has turned a corner. The Milan is loaded with standard features and useful optional features, very solidly built, classy inside and out. The six-speed transmission is smooth and acceleration is powerful when I need it to be. More than that the car is well thought out in virtually every way.

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  Great Car, but We need Fords Help - 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By Max Walker - May 17 - 10:56 am

  This car drives great,looks good, is comfortable and well built over all. There are thousands of people who share this view. Ford please do something to quiet some of these radical critics who make fun of this great vehicle. The more people are made to believe this propaganda, the more our resale value for the vehicle falls.

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  Great car - 2008 Mercury Milan
  By Jim - May 17 - 5:06 am

  I went to the dealer to buy a MKZ, but after testing it against the Milan Premier I4, I felt the Milan was well worth the savings of almost $10,000 over the MKZ. I drive a lot each year and was looking for both comfort and gas economy. I am extremely happy with my choice. I have found the I4 to have plenty of pickup for merging on the interstate or turnpike, and the 5 speed gives good pickup at different speeds.

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  Great Car - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By Tessath - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Perfect car... just watch out for the bucket seats in the back and the head room. Dont buy it if you are very tall.

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  No complaints at all - 2004 Mercury Sable
  By Bill L. - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Just couldnt find a better value although we tried. Had over $3000 in GM points, but couldnt justify not buying the Sable from Uptown Motors. Gave an excellent deal from the "getgo". Would recommend car and dealership to anyone.

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  Mariners a Great Catch! - 2005 Mercury Mariner
  By Carole - May 15 - 8:00 am

  My Mariner is a great SUV. It is sporty in its driving feel and very nice looking. The steering is crisp and precise, and the turning is tight. I would recommend this car to anyone who loves SUVs and enjoys a well built and designed car.

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  2nd mountaineer - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By mike - May 15 - 5:00 am

  Traded a 97 mountaineer in for this one, as much due to the incentives offered as anything else. Have had a couple of issues with the transmission that have been handled under warrantee (slipping and noise), took 4 visits to get the work completed. Flaw in the paint on the roof, a purple color, that is under the clear coat. Dealer offered NO solution, short of disassembly of the entire ceiling interior and removal of the sunroof so the roof could be repainted. Body shop manager said personally she would NOT do this. Purple paint is still there.