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2008 Mercury Grand Marquis

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$25,435

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

Sedan

Body style

6

Seating capacity

212.0” x 56.3”

Dimensions

Rear-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(29 reviews)

The good:

  • Interior space
  • Trunk capacity
  • Ride comfort
  • Crash-test ratings

The bad:

  • RWD winter traction
  • Fuel economy in city
  • In-town maneuverability
  • Resale value

2 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

  • GS

    $25,435

  • LS

    $28,325

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best Sedans for 2024

Notable features

  • Six-passenger seating
  • Traditional full-size RWD layout
  • Standard ABS
  • Optional side-impact airbags
  • E85-compatible V-8

2008 Mercury Grand Marquis review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
Mercury’s Grand Marquis and Lincoln’s Town Car are the only six-passenger rear-wheel-drive sedans sold in the U.S. with V-8 engines and traditional body-on-frame construction. Their sister vehicle, the Ford Crown Victoria, is now only sold to fleets. The Grand Marquis’ 4.6-liter V-8 produces 224 horsepower and can run on E85 ethanol. Little has changed for 2008 beyond the tweaking of a few option packages.

Two Grand Marquis trim levels are available: GS and LS. LS sedans include an overhead console with a compass, map light and universal garage-door opener. The Palm Beach luxury package for the LS carries on into 2008.

According to Ford, every Grand Marquis since 1996 has earned five-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in frontal-impact crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With optional side airbags installed, the sedan has also earned five stars in side-impact testing.

Exterior
Lightweight hydroformed steel sections are used for the front rails of the full-perimeter frame. Standard 17-inch wheels are installed, and 16-inch wheels are optional.

Measuring 212 inches long overall, the Grand Marquis rides a 114.6-inch wheelbase and stands 58.3 inches tall. Rack-and-pinion steering includes speed-dependent variable assistance. Options include a full-size spare tire.

Interior
For 2008, three new option packages are available. The GS Comfort Appearance Package has leather-trimmed seats, a power driver’s seat and 16-inch painted aluminum wheels. A GS Confidence Package includes power, heated exterior mirrors, fog lamps and traction control.

The Grand Marquis can hold up to six occupants. The trunk’s cargo capacity is 20.6 cubic feet. Liftover height is 26.8 inches, and a trunk organizer is optional.

Standard equipment for the GS includes keyless entry via a fob or door keypad.

The LS adds traction control, power heated side mirrors, leather seating surfaces, power-adjustable pedals, an auto-dimming mirror and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other features. The LS Travel Package adds a cassette/single-disc CD player and a conventional spare tire.

The Palm Beach package adds various unique interior trim accents and badging, as well as power heated mirrors and side-impact airbags.

Under the Hood
The 4.6-liter V-8 develops 224 hp and teams with a four-speed automatic transmission. Traction control is optional, and the engine can run on E85 ethanol.

Safety
All-disc antilock brakes incorporate electronic brake-force distribution. Side-impact airbags are optional. The Palm Beach package adds side-impact airbags.

Driving Impressions
Fans of traditional rear-drive sedans don’t have many choices today. Fortunately, the Grand Marquis is a reasonable one, offering a comfortable ride, satisfactory performance and ample space. These attributes, however, are accompanied by tepid handling.

Consumer reviews

(29 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.9
  • Interior 4.2
  • Performance 4.5
  • Value 4.7
  • Exterior 4.3
  • Reliability 4.8
Write a review

Most recent consumer reviews

Ole reliable, Sofa on wheels.

Does great burnouts and is a great first car. Also a great sound system. The thing is a sofa on wheels. Best car ever made

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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LUXURY RIDE FOR LESS MONEY!

JUST A VERY GOOD CAR. RIDES LIKE A CADILLAC....USED TO RIDE! VERY SMOOTH. USES REGULAR GAS. PROBABLY GOOD FOR 300,000 MILES AS THEY WERE OFTEN USED AS TAXI CABS IN THE OLD DAYS. OF COURSE MY GRAND MARQUIS LS IS MUCH MORE OF A LUXURY CAR.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
35 people out of 35 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Comfort, Power, Tons of room, still avrgs 20mpg

This vehicle is super comfortable, powerful, has room for six and all their luggage, and still Gets 20MPG average. Rides like you are on air, but still gives good feedback of road. If it had a rear seat pass-through my planes wing would fit in and I would keep it.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
11 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 29 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis base trim.
Frontal driver
5
Frontal passenger
5
Nhtsa rollover rating
5
Side driver
5
Side rear passenger
5

Warranty

New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
36 months/36,000 miles
Corrosion
60 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
60 months/60,000 miles
Roadside assistance
60 months/60,000 miles

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