Which Mercury Cougar Version Should You Buy?
The Mercury Cougar version to choose depends chiefly on whether you want the traditional RWD coupe format or the later FWD hatchback. Among versions with complete acceleration data, the eighth-generation 2.5 MT with 199 hp is the performance choice: it reaches 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The Mercury Cougar version to choose depends chiefly on whether you want the traditional RWD coupe format or the later FWD hatchback. Among versions with complete acceleration data, the eighth-generation 2.5 MT with 199 hp is the performance choice: it reaches 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The 173 hp 2.5 MT is slower at 8.1 seconds but reaches 225 km/h, while the eighth-generation 2.0 MT offers 126 hp, a 10-second time to 100 km/h, and the lowest measured kerb weight at 1,310 kg. Earlier generations provide larger engines and RWD, but most acceleration, maximum-speed, weight, and economy figures were not measured.
Mercury Cougar generations: what changed?
The first generation, produced from 1967 through 1970, is listed as a Cabrio. It has no individual versions in the supplied catalogue data, so its engine specifications, horsepower, transmission choices, performance, and weight are not measured.
The second generation covers 1971 through 1973 and is also listed as a Cabrio. No versions are recorded, which means that its engine options, output, acceleration, maximum speed, dimensions, and weight are not measured.
The third generation ran from 1974 through 1976 as a Coupe Hardtop. It likewise has no listed versions, so a numerical comparison with later Mercury Cougar generations is not possible.
The fourth generation, covering 1977 through 1979, changed the recorded body style to Coupe and offers four entries. All are RWD gasoline V8 versions with four-speed Automatic transmissions: 4.9 AT with 134 hp, 5.8 AT with 149 hp, 5.8 AT with 161 hp, and 6.6 AT with 173 hp. The 6.6 AT has the generation’s greatest displacement and highest output, while the 161 hp 5.8 AT makes 12 hp more than the other 5.8 AT without increasing displacement.
The fifth generation ran from 1980 through 1982 as a Coupe and contains eleven catalogue entries, including duplicate names. Its recorded range extends from the 88 hp 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT to the 134 hp 4.9 MT and 4.9 AT. It provides both five-speed Manual and four-speed Automatic choices, but every version remains RWD. Compared with the fourth generation’s 173 hp maximum, the fifth generation peaks 39 hp lower at 134 hp.
The sixth-generation Coupe covers 1983 through 1988 and has six versions. Its 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT introduce the only Turbo engines in the supplied Cougar data, each producing 145 hp. The 3.8 MT and 3.8 AT make 112 hp, while the 4.9 MT and 4.9 AT deliver 150 hp and 366 Nm. All six are RWD, with five-speed Manual or four-speed Automatic transmissions.
The seventh-generation Coupe, produced from 1989 through 1997, has four versions: 3.8 MT, 3.8 AT, 4.6 AT, and 4.9 AT. All are RWD. The two 3.8 versions lead on power with 220 hp, whereas the 4.6 AT leads on measured torque with 360 Nm. The 4.9 AT has 200 hp, but its torque was not measured.
The eighth generation ran from 1998 through 2002 as a Hatchback 3-door and has five entries. This generation switched the recorded driveline to FWD and used front, transverse engines. Its range comprises a 126 hp 2.0 MT, 173 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT, plus 199 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT versions. It is the only generation for which the data supplies measured acceleration and maximum-speed figures.
Mercury Cougar engine options and specs
Repeated version names are identified below by output and generation so that each specification remains unambiguous.
| Generation | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977–1979 | 4.9 AT, 134 hp | 134 hp | not measured | 4,942 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1977–1979 | 5.8 AT, 149 hp | 149 hp | not measured | 5,752 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1977–1979 | 6.6 AT | 173 hp | not measured | 6,555 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1977–1979 | 5.8 AT, 161 hp | 161 hp | not measured | 5,752 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 2.3 MT, 88 hp | 88 hp | not measured | 2,294 cc | not measured | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 2.3 AT | 88 hp | not measured | 2,294 cc | not measured | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 3.8 MT | 112 hp | not measured | 3,802 cc | not measured | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 3.8 AT | 112 hp | not measured | 3,802 cc | not measured | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 4.2 MT | 119 hp | not measured | 4,179 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 4.9 MT | 134 hp | not measured | 4,942 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 4.9 AT, first entry | 134 hp | not measured | 4,942 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 4.2 AT, first entry | 119 hp | not measured | 4,179 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 4.2 AT, second entry | 119 hp | not measured | 4,179 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 2.3 MT, second entry | 88 hp | not measured | 2,294 cc | not measured | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1980–1982 | 4.9 AT, second entry | 134 hp | not measured | 4,942 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1983–1988 | 2.3 MT | 145 hp | not measured | 2,294 cc | not measured | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1983–1988 | 2.3 AT | 145 hp | not measured | 2,294 cc | not measured | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1983–1988 | 3.8 MT | 112 hp | not measured | 3,802 cc | not measured | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1983–1988 | 3.8 AT | 112 hp | not measured | 3,802 cc | not measured | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1983–1988 | 4.9 MT | 150 hp | 366 Nm | 4,942 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1983–1988 | 4.9 AT | 150 hp | 366 Nm | 4,942 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1989–1997 | 3.8 MT | 220 hp | 292 Nm | 3,797 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1989–1997 | 3.8 AT | 220 hp | 292 Nm | 3,797 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1989–1997 | 4.6 AT | 203 hp | 360 Nm | 4,601 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1989–1997 | 4.9 AT | 200 hp | not measured | 4,942 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1998–2002 | 2.0 MT | 126 hp | 176 Nm | 1,988 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1998–2002 | 2.5 MT, 173 hp | 173 hp | 223 Nm | 2,544 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1998–2002 | 2.5 AT, 173 hp | 173 hp | 223 Nm | 2,544 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1998–2002 | 2.5 MT, 199 hp | 199 hp | 227 Nm | 2,544 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1998–2002 | 2.5 AT, 199 hp | 199 hp | 228 Nm | 2,544 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
Power per litre clarifies the engineering differences. The sixth-generation Turbo 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT produce about 63.2 hp per litre. The seventh-generation 3.8 MT and 3.8 AT reach about 57.9 hp per litre. The eighth-generation 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT with 199 hp produce about 78.2 hp per litre, the highest calculated figure among the listed versions.
Mercury Cougar performance and economy
Measured performance exists only for four eighth-generation entries. The 2.5 MT with 199 hp is quickest to 100 km/h at 6.5 seconds. The 173 hp 2.5 MT requires 8.1 seconds, so the additional 26 hp accompanies a 1.6-second reduction. The 2.0 MT takes 10 seconds, while the 173 hp 2.5 AT takes 10.5 seconds. Comparing the 173 hp transmission choices, the Manual reaches 100 km/h 2.4 seconds sooner than the Automatic.
The 173 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT both have a measured maximum speed of 225 km/h. The 126 hp 2.0 MT and 199 hp 2.5 MT are each listed at 210 km/h. Acceleration and maximum speed for the 199 hp 2.5 AT are not measured. Both figures are also not measured for every version from 1977 through 1997.
City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for any listed Mercury Cougar version. Consequently, an mpg comparison cannot be supported by the supplied data. CO₂ output and environmental class are also not measured throughout.
Mercury Cougar weight, clearance, tank, and dimensions
The eighth generation provides the most useful weight comparison. The 2.0 MT has a 1,310 kg kerb weight and 1,750 kg gross weight. The 173 hp 2.5 MT weighs 1,420 kg, and the 173 hp 2.5 AT weighs 1,445 kg; choosing the Automatic adds 25 kg. The 199 hp 2.5 MT weighs 1,480 kg and has a gross weight of 1,825 kg. Weight for the 199 hp 2.5 AT is not measured.
Calculated weight per horsepower is approximately 10.4 kg/hp for the 2.0 MT, 8.2 kg/hp for the 173 hp 2.5 MT, 8.4 kg/hp for the 173 hp 2.5 AT, and 7.4 kg/hp for the 199 hp 2.5 MT. That supports the 199 hp Manual’s position as the strongest measured performance choice.
Every eighth-generation version has a 59-litre fuel tank. Tank capacity for earlier generations is not measured. Ground clearance is 128 mm for the fourth generation, 124 mm for the fifth and sixth generations, 137 mm for the seventh generation, and 130 mm for the eighth-generation 199 hp 2.5 AT. Clearance for the other eighth-generation versions is not measured.
Wheel sizes, wheelbase, overall length, and other exterior dimensions are not measured for any generation in the supplied data. Kerb weight is also not measured for the first through fifth and seventh generations except for the sixth-generation 2.3 MT, 3.8 MT, and 4.9 MT, each listed at 1,437 kg.
Which Mercury Cougar version should you choose?
Choose the eighth-generation 2.5 MT with 199 hp if measured acceleration is the priority. Its 6.5-second time to 100 km/h is the quickest available, and its calculated 7.4 kg/hp is the best power-to-weight result among versions with recorded kerb weight.
Choose the eighth-generation 2.5 MT with 173 hp if you want the highest measured maximum speed without the 199 hp Manual’s extra weight. It reaches 225 km/h, accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds, and is 60 kg lighter than the 199 hp 2.5 MT.
Choose the eighth-generation 2.0 MT if lower recorded weight matters more than acceleration. At 1,310 kg, it is 110 kg lighter than the 173 hp 2.5 MT and 170 kg lighter than the 199 hp 2.5 MT, although it gives away 47 hp and 73 hp respectively.
Choose the seventh-generation 3.8 MT or 3.8 AT when the deciding specifications are RWD and the highest listed horsepower. Both produce 220 hp and 292 Nm, exceeding the 203 hp 4.6 AT by 17 hp, though the 4.6 AT provides 68 Nm more measured torque.
For a Turbo engine with RWD, the sixth-generation 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT are the only choices recorded. Both produce 145 hp from 2,294 cc. Buyers prioritizing measured torque instead can consider the sixth-generation 4.9 MT or 4.9 AT, each rated at 366 Nm—the highest measured torque in the catalogue data.
No price, sale, reliability, repair, or engine-swap information is provided, so those factors cannot be used to recommend one Mercury Cougar over another. On specifications alone, the 199 hp 2.5 MT is the performance pick, the 173 hp 2.5 MT is the strongest measured high-speed compromise, and the 220 hp 3.8 MT or 3.8 AT is the highest-output RWD choice.