1996 Mercury Cougar Review
1996 Mercury Cougar Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
New styling and powertrain improvements highlight the 1996 Cougar. Some formerly standard equipment is now optional. New options include a revamped cruise control system and a Total Anti-Theft System. Four new colors debut.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 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 $3.60 per gallon for regular unleaded in Massachusetts.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Massachusetts
$223/mo for Cougar XR7
Cougar XR7
vs
$226/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
Mercury sells half as many Cougars as Ford does the mechanically identical Thunderbird. Not bad, considering Mercury's more limited dealer network and the Cougar's more conservative styling. In concept, the Cougar is a traditional luxo-coupe boulevardier, but when infused with Ford's potent modular 4.6-liter V8, the Cougar's purr becomes a snarl.
Amazingly, the hefty Cougar V8 turns in some pretty impressive performance figures. It feels much quicker and lighter than it actually is. The exterior features traditional cues such as a chrome grille and formal roofline. Unfortunately, these looks make the Cougar a prime candidate for aftermarket or dealer-installed luxury packages' that include such gimcrackery as tacky opera lamps, fake convertible roof applications, and yucky gold trim add-ons. Not even the factory can resist cluttering Cougar's lines; a non-functional luggage rack is available on the options list. Inside, the Cougar offers first-class accommodations for five, with a sweeping dashboard that provides a cocooned cockpit feel to front passengers.
Revised front and rear styling debuts on Cougar for 1996. A chrome insert appears in the bodyside cladding. Both V6 and V8 engines get improvements, including 100,000-mile tune-up intervals. Also new is a Total Anti-theft System option, a cruise control system that increases or decreases speed one mph per tap of the controls, and chrome alloy wheels. Power lumbar support is gone from the Cougar this year, and three formerly standard conveniences (illuminated entry, power driver's seat and leather-wrapped steering) go to the options list. Watch for a special midyear feature car with special interior and exterior fittings.
This iteration of the Cougar has been on the market since 1989, albeit with dramatic improvements over the years. If a healthy dose of luxury and traditional styling is your cup of tea, the Cougar is likely one car you'll want to consider.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Mercury Cougar.
5 star(50%)
4 star(42%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
26 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Sleeper hit!
silveeto, 07/12/2014
1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 2dr Coupe
I fell into owning this car accidentally.
My aunt was moving and had no room for it anymore, so I traded her a set of couches and a couple hundred bucks for it.
I figured I'd just flip it and make a few extra bucks.
NOPE.
What I thought was an old man's car actually turned out to be a fun sporty powerhouse of a car that I just can't part with now.
4.38 out of 5 stars
I Love the Cougar Xr7
Jesse, 04/30/2010
1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 2dr Coupe
My dad handed down this car to me. I always loved how it looked. When i actually got around to driving it, i was blown away. I love the V8, its great for just having fun. I also love the ride itself. It's surprisingly quiet for having a V8, and it has lots of leg room. I hope i can keep this car forever
3.38 out of 5 stars
Why Chose the X-R7
daskew, 08/17/2002
1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 2dr Coupe
I bought our XR-7 V6 model as a used
vehicle. It is my experience that the
for a V6 it is kinda suggish when
taking off. I think that the XR-7 has a
very comfortable ride, expecially on
long trips. I feel that the fuel
economy is very poor for this
particular model. Get yourself in the
frame of mind that this is not a sport
coupe. Like most American made cars
it … feels like it was made on an
assembly line. The air vents are placed
in such a manner that the rear
passengers have a good wait to cool
off. The tires should have come in
a low profile. The car is made up of a
lot of parts, that over time begin to
loosen.
2.63 out of 5 stars
The Life of a COUGAR
Cougar Life, 03/21/2010
1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 2dr Coupe
This car was the second Cougar I have bought in 3 months as a cheap replacement car I was hoping to own for more than a year. I had a 94 Coug which decided to one day have major engine problems with no warning.It had 120K miles on it. So I bought the 96 with 87k on it which seemed like a great buy for my price range.Within a week of owning I had to replace a couple of things which I … think was due to not being well kept by the owners before me. After that, I noticed a major difference in how the car drove.It can really get moving with its powerful V8. I drove the car from Wisconsin down to Florida with no issues.As long as you get one that is well taken care of you shouldn't have any problem.
1996 Cougar Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $223/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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
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