2000-2006 Ford Taurus: Overview

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Ford restyled its best-selling model for 2000. Exterior dimensions changed little, but the conventional shapes displaced the previous oval look, bringing more head room and trunk space. Inside was a more traditional dashboard, along with newly available adjustable pedals. As before, Taurus shared its basic design and mechanical components with the Mercury Sable. Gone was the slow-selling Taurus SHO, leaving an LX sedan and step-up SE sedan and wagon, all with V6 engines. Upscale SES and SEL sedans also joined the group. Seating for either five or six was available, and wagons could again have a 2-place third-row seat. A 155-horsepower V6 served as base engine. Standard with upper models and optional on SEs was a 200-hp twincam V6. Both drove a 4-speed automatic transmission and ran on regular fuel. Traction control and head/chest side airbags for the front seat were new options, while 16-inch wheels were newly standard. A standard Advanced Restraints System was designed to minimize airbag injuries to the driver by gauging crash severity and seat position, then deploying the steering-wheel airbags with appropriate force. Sedans got a release inside the trunk and all models had rear child-seat anchors. Antilock brakes were standard on top models, optional on others.