2010 Ford Taurus: Road Test

ACCELERATION

Both Taurus engines provide good power in any situation. Non-SHO AWD models feel little different than their front-drive counterparts. The SHO's turbocharged V6 has lots of reserve muscle, but suffers a brief delay from a stop. The automatic transmission snaps off quick shifts, especially with the SHO's specific gear ratios. In any Taurus, the transmission occasionally hunts for the right gear on hilly roads, but shifting manually via the available steering-wheel paddles helps. While the paddles are nice, we wish Ford would have also included a manual shift gate on the console.

RIDE QUALITY

With its standard 18-inch wheels, the SEL has a very smooth, composed ride with no apparent float or wallow. SEL and Limited with 19s suffer from some pattering over pavement seams and breaks. SHO, with the optional 20-inch wheels and sport suspension, registers most bumps, but stops short of outright harshness. No other Taurus models, including a SHO with standard 19-inch tires, were made available for testing.

QUIETNESS

Rivals many premium sedans for hushed comfort. Both engines produce a refined note during acceleration and recede almost completely into the background while cruising. For the SHO, this is almost a disappointment, as Ford could have done more to make the sportiest Taurus sound more the part. Wind and general road ruckus are non issues, but the SHO's optional 20-inch tires roar on coarse pavement.

DETAILS

Taurus' cabin doesn't quite match the ambiance of most luxury nameplates, but it holds its own. Non-SHO models have some uninspiring plastic trim, especially in the center console area. To Ford's credit, most of the rest of the interior has pleasing textured and padded soft-touch surfaces. SHO versions have faux carbon fiber and real aluminum interior trim that distinguishes it from its less-expensive siblings.

ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)

Neither headroom nor legroom is as expansive as in the previous-generation Taurus. Depending on where the front seat is positioned, legroom is either adequate or ample. The slope of Taurus' roofline cuts into headroom more than it should, and complicates entry and exit.

VALUE WITHIN CLASS

Ford's revamped Taurus has a lot going for it. This large sedan is smooth, quiet, refined, and is surprisingly engaging to drive. That last point goes double for the SHO, which delivers V8 power with the promise of V6 fuel economy. The SHO is fun to drive for a large car, but it would have been nice had Ford done more to make its engine note more in keeping with its sporty leanings. No Taurus is as cavernous inside as previous models. Ford's flagship sedan is a Best Buy that offers a breadth and depth of features, gadgets, and trim levels, all at prices that make it stand out among a wide variety of midsize and large cars.