2000 Mercury Cougar Review
2000 Mercury Cougar Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+36
Used Cougar for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Unique styling, solid handling, large cargo space, faster Cougar S model available.
Cons
- Acceleration with regular models can't match looks, heavy steering, interior ergonomics.
What’s new
All Cougars receive an emergency trunk release as standard equipment, as well as a redesigned floor console. Citrus Gold, Light Blue and Light Sapphire are the three new clearcoat metallic paints available.
Edmunds says
A sporty coupe that isn't particularly sporty and isn't really a coupe. Plus, what's up with all the angularity?
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2000 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$194/mo for Cougar V6
Cougar V6
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
One of the most distinctly styled vehicles on the road today, the Mercury Cougar enters its second year of production in 2000. Don't expect Cougar customers to be cross-shopping for the 2000 Grand Marquis; this kitty cat is aimed at a much younger crowd.
The Cougar is the first production vehicle to receive a full New Edge facelift. It combines sleek, rounded main forms with creased straight-edge detail. The most interesting parts of the Cougar's appearance are the cat-eye headlamps with smoked lenses, large triangular taillights, sculpted doors and hood, and the character line that runs along the lower portion of the greenhouse.
Underneath this eye-catching skin are components that are much more familiar. The Cougar is built on the same platform as the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique. It also shares roughly 70 percent of its parts with these two entry-level sedans. This is important to Ford, because it keeps the cost of the Cougar down.
The Cougar is blessed with an excellent suspension, neutral handling characteristics, and powerful brakes. This translates to plenty of fun on curvy roads. The only thing slowing the Cougar down is an overly heavy steering feel and a set of engines that don't quite measure up to the car's exciting looks. Ford offers either a 125-horsepower, four-cylinder engine or a 2.5-liter V6 that produces 170 horsepower. These are the same engines found in the Contour/Mystique and, while they might be fine for a sedan, they don't generate as much thrust as the offerings in the Mitsubishi Eclipse or the Volkswagen GTI.
Good thing there's the limited-production 2000 Cougar S. A high-performance version of the Cougar, it comes standard with a 200-horsepower version of the 2.5-liter V6 engine. The car's suspension is also performance-tuned to handle the extra power. Sports styling details complete the package, including a blue background to the instruments. More supportive leather-covered seats are standard with an embroidered "Cougar S" logo. The driver's seat features six-way power adjustment.
For all Cougar interiors, you'll find a conventional control layout but a decidedly unconventional appearance. Still, form followed function for the most part, and while we might complain about minor ergonomic problems found within the Cougar, the car is reasonably satisfying. Accessing the back seat is a breeze, thanks to a front passenger seat that slides forward when the backrest is folded and then returns to its preset position once riders are secured in back. The rear seats are firm and place the rider high in the car and taller adults will find that their heads are squashed into the headliner.
The Cougar S should be a welcome sight to performance enthusiasts. And despite the relative lack of power, the regular Cougar still has a lot to offer. It's affordable, functional, fun to drive, and neat to look at.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2000 Mercury Cougar.
5 star(39%)
4 star(24%)
3 star(25%)
2 star(10%)
1 star(2%)
113 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Great, Reliable, Affordable
david689, 01/26/2015
2000 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe
I drive my Cougar every day, 60 miles each way almost with no problems. Gets pretty good mpg. Sporty and safe, the Cougar is the best of both worlds. Not too roomy inside but that's expected.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Car
Liz, 02/23/2009
2000 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe
I just bought my Cougar last January, and I love it. It drives and handles great. I also learned that on long trips the gas mileage isn't as bad as you would think. I have drove it from North Carolina to Nevada with no problems. Now I am about to drive it from Nevada to Washington and so far the car seems like it has no problems this time, even after not being drove for 7 months. I just … wish that the cup holders in the front were better. Besides that its a great car.
5 out of 5 stars
LENGTHY BUT INFORMATIVE
Jackson Burfitt, 12/29/2016
2000 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe
I have had this car for 2 years as of now it has 102,911 miles on it when I first got the car it had about 60,000 miles on it. So I've driven the hell out of this car, 2 months after I got the car I had to change the alternator a couple times in a row no biggie my mechanic has a 1 year warranty, so I only had to pay for one. I've had the same alternator for 2 years no problems what … usually happens is that the wiring or the regulator goes out. As for "unsporty" acceleration blame that on the stock air box/filter and the CD4E transmission (if you have auto the manual is way better if you know your optimal shift points.) I have put a K&N cold air intake performance spark plugs/wires and reflashed my PCM. And I'm still not done with her yet and she already pulls 10 times better than when she was stock (maybe a hyperbole ;) a little.) The body is still stock and I always get compliments people think it's a Jaguar sometimes. The car handles fantastic because of it's wide wheel base and touring multi link independent suspension agile like the cat it's named after. Interior looks a bit cheap but there are ways to fix that. Steering is a bit heavier than other cars but it's because of the Euro steering styling which I'd prefer over any other because I can "feel the road" so to speak, and since it is FWD you will feel torque steer (better around turns.) I've had a lot of close calls with accidents because of idiots on the road. It is definitely a car that you can drive and have fun as long as you take care of and it will take care of you!!
4.75 out of 5 stars
Great Car
Mike, 11/20/2006
2000 Mercury Cougar V6 2dr Coupe
I got this car in apr 03 from an auction for 3k. well it had 97k miles on it then and it has 143k now and i've never had anything replaced. i did notice the hatch on the back likes to stick and the cup holder doesn't fit larger cups.. doesn't seem like that is worth complaining about tho. i think it is the "sports package" edition since it has everything on it i.e. moonroof, leather, … electric seats, spoiler etc. i have traveled from Richmond to Miami and last summer stayed in Syracuse NY and drove down to Richmond VA just about every weekend for 3 months (yes a 7 hour drive!) and the car has never broken down or any problem what so ever! maybe i just got really lucky..
2000 Cougar Highlights
I4
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $165/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Related Used 2000 Mercury Cougar info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Ferrari 458 Italia 2011
- Used Suzuki Grand Vitara 2010
- Used Scion xA 2013
- Used Lexus GS 450H 2010
- Used Toyota Matrix 2011
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 MINI Cooper
- 2023 Porsche Panamera
- Audi Q8 Tron
- 8 Series Coupe
- Ford Bronco 2023
- 2024 BMW X4
- Audi TTS
- 2023 BMW X3
- 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- 2025 Nissan Murano News
Other models
- Used Audi S5 in North Hollywood, CA
- Used Kia Carnival in Piscataway, NJ
- Used Smart Fortwo in Saratoga Springs, NY
- Used Buick Riviera in Alameda, CA
- Used Suzuki Kizashi in Seymour, IN
- New GMC Savana-Cargo for Sale in Rutherford, NJ
- Used Mazda 2 in Caldwell, NJ
- New Chevrolet Express for Sale in Vidalia, GA
- New Subaru WRX for Sale in Elizabethtown, KY
- New Mazda CX-5 for Sale in Gulfport, MS