2010 Ford Taurus Vehicle Overview

source:edmunds.com

Introduction

It has taken a long and winding road to reach the 2010 Ford Taurus. This complete redesign is the latest chapter in an automotive story packed with ups and downs.

The name Taurus was first attached to a revolutionary car that changed the way automakers and auto buyers thought of family sedans. It was America's No.1 car and its overall design was the benchmark for future competitors -- particularly those from Japan. The high-performance SHO model was a cult favorite among car nuts who also had to schlep the kids to school. Then in the 1990s, the Taurus radically changed into a celebration of ovals, including its general body shape and odd elliptical center stack. It was weird, and even when Ford toned that quirkiness down, its influence as an industry leader fell as Honda and Toyota perfected the midsize formula the Taurus had established.

The most recent Taurus was a rebadged version of the full-size Ford Five Hundred, giving up its midsize credentials to the smaller Fusion. The 2010 Taurus remains in this large-car category, but its thorough overhaul promises a more refined automobile than its predecessor and a much more engaging driving experience. Its sleek styling is hardly the revolutionary concept that the original Taurus was, but it's nevertheless attractive and more interesting than the blocky old model. Most noticeable is Ford's departure from its signature three-bar chrome grille -- rather than resembling a Gillette razor, it now looks like a Braun electric shaver. Now that's progress.

Inside, the Taurus gets the same stereo and climate control treatment as every recently redesigned Ford product. Although button-heavy and slightly cluttered looking, it's a logically laid out design. While the controls are cookie-cutter, the surrounding design is fresh and stylish. In upper trim guises, the cabin is arguably more posh than Lincoln's MKS.

The biggest news, however, is the reintroduction of the Taurus SHO model. The last time we experienced this cult-favorite nameplate it was attached to the 1990s Oval-era Taurus iteration and was packing a 235-horsepower V8 engine. The new Taurus SHO employs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. Dubbed "EcoBoost," this engine feeds 365 hp to all four wheels while apparently returning the fuel economy of a less powerful car. Meanwhile, the regular Taurus uses the same naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that produced perfectly ample acceleration in the outgoing car.

The 2010 Ford Taurus should prove to be an interesting entry in a segment of full-size vehicles that bridges the gap between family sedans and luxury cars. Lower-priced trim levels will be compared to the Honda Accord, Hyundai Azera and Toyota Avalon. The Limited will compete with entry-level luxury sedans like the Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln's MKS and MKZ, and the Nissan Maxima. The SHO is clearly aimed at Chrysler's 300C and Pontiac's G8. We have yet to drive this new flagship sedan from Ford, so only time will tell how this latest chapter in the Taurus story plays out.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan that seats five people. It is available in SE, SEL, Limited and SHO trim levels. Standard equipment on the SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry and SecuriCode entry pad, full power accessories, cruise control, a six-way power driver seat, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, steering wheel audio controls and a six-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary audio jack. The SEL adds 18-inch wheels, automatic transmission paddle shifters, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery and satellite radio. Options on the SEL include 19-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, a power passenger seat, ambient lighting, leather upholstery and the Sync electronics interface system (which includes Bluetooth and an iPod interface). These items are standard on the Taurus Limited, plus 10-way power front seats, driver memory functions and an upgraded stereo with six-CD/MP3 player. The Taurus SHO adds a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlamps, an auto-dimming exterior driver mirror (optional on Limited), a rear spoiler, keyless ignition/entry (optional on SEL and Limited), upgraded leather trim and faux-suede upholstery inserts.

Options available on the SEL, Limited and SHO include a sunroof, remote ignition, power-adjustable pedals, heated front seats, multicontour massaging seats and a 12-speaker Sony-branded premium audio system. Options available on the Limited and SHO include adaptive cruise control with a collision warning system, a blind-spot warning system, automatic high beams, an auto-dimming exterior driver mirror, rain-sensing wipers, cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a rear window power sunshade and a navigation system with in-dash single-CD/DVD player, hard drive with 10GB of digital music storage, and Sirius Travel Link (real-time traffic, weather and other information). The Taurus SHO can be further equipped with 20-inch wheels, a rearview camera and an SHO Performance package that includes performance brake pads, recalibrated steering, a different final-drive ratio, stability control defeat, summer tires and 20-inch wheels.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2010 Taurus is powered by a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. On all trims except the SE, the transmission features manual shift control and downshift rev-matching capability. Front-wheel drive is standard on every Taurus trim level and all-wheel drive is available on SEL and Limited trim levels.

The Taurus SHO features a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic with shift paddles is standard. Every SHO is all-wheel drive. Fuel economy estimates for either Taurus engine are not yet available.

Safety

Every 2010 Ford Taurus comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Optional safety features include a blind-spot warning system, pre-collision warning system, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

Interior Design and Special Features

A stylish Ford Taurus cabin seems almost oxymoronic, but with its twin-cowl dash, waterfall center stack and high-end materials, that's exactly what it is. Although the climate and audio controls are very button-heavy, they are logically laid out and easy to interpret. The Sync electronics interface available on all but the base car is a voice-activated technology that allows you to control your cell phone or iPod using voice commands or the car's physical controls. On other Ford products, we've found Sync to be effective and desirable.

The previous Taurus offered one of the largest backseats in the class; however, the new car's has shrunk by 3 inches. Trunk space has been reduced by 1 cubic foot, but at 20.2 cubes, it is one of the most cavernous cargo areas attached to a traditional sedan (only the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis are fractionally bigger).

Driving Impressions

We have not yet driven the 2010 Ford Taurus. However, it promises to be a more refined and involving drive than the sedate comfort cruiser it replaces. That's not to say we expect the Taurus to be a sport sedan, but rather a large, entry-level luxury sedan similar to a Lincoln MKS. Given that it carries over the previous Taurus' V6 engine, we expect acceleration to be perfectly acceptable for this sizable sedan. For a dose of excitement, the Taurus SHO should provide impressive acceleration from its twin-turbo V6 engine. All-wheel drive should lay the power down and prevent any front-drive torque-steer histrionics, but like the Chrysler 300C, the Taurus SHO will be more a straight-line performer than one intended for curvy back roads.