2008 Ford Taurus Review | Buyer Guide
Ford Brings Back A Familiar Name
Ford has brought back the Taurus name, and attached it to a full-size sedan for 2008. The car that was known last year as the Five Hundred is now the Taurus. The reason Ford made the name change was that the Five Hundred moniker was unfamiliar to potential customers, and sales were lackluster. The marketing folks reasoned that sales would improve if the car had a name more people recognized—almost everybody has heard of a Taurus.
However, the name alone wasn’t the only reason for the Five Hundred’s poor showing. Some people felt that the car looked bland, and was short on horsepower, so Ford set about correcting these obvious problems, and made other improvements as well.
The first thing that stands out is the revamped styling. The Taurus gets a three-bar chrome grille, like Ford’s popular Fusion and Edge. There are also new headlights, taillights and a new hood—and for the first time, chrome vents on the fenders. The Taurus won’t win a beauty contest, but it’s not bad looking.
However, more significant than the new look is the new power train. Ford replaced the tepid 3.0-liter engine with the more potent 3.5-liter V-6. The new motor generates 260 horsepower, 57 more than the old one had. Teamed with the new engine is a six-speed automatic. This tranny is smooth and responsive. The Taurus has no problem accelerating briskly onto the freeway, or passing a semi on a two-lane road. As previously, this car is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The Taurus is a large sedan—longer, wider and taller than either a Chrysler 300 or a Chevrolet Impala. You sit high in the Taurus, much like you would in an SUV. This, along with a low-mounted dash, insures that front passengers have a commanding view of the road. Those sitting in the rear see well too, and have plenty of head and legroom. The trunk is gargantuan at 21 cu-ft.
Ford made safety features a top priority in the Taurus. Front and side-impact airbags, as well as side air curtains (to protect the upper torso) are standard. Ford’s AdvanceTrac anti-skid system, which will be standard on all Fords in 2009, is a $495 option. The National Highway Safety Administration has awarded the Taurus its five-star crash-test rating, and the Insurance Institute has made the Taurus a “Top Safety Pick.”
Out on the road, the Taurus displays competent, but unremarkable driving dynamics. The steering does not communicate well with the driver, but the handling is decent, with a just a moderate amount of body-lean while cornering. The cabin is quieter this year, thanks to the use of advanced sound-deadening materials, and the ride quality is decent, about equal to its competition.
Taurus pricing starts at $23,995 for the SEL model, and $27,595 for the top-of-the line Limited.
Snapshot Review
Improved Styling
More Power
High Safety Rating
Specifications
Base Price: $23,995
Engine: 3.5-ltr, DOHC, V-6
Horsepower: 260
Transmission: 6-sp auto
Brakes: disc, ABS
Gas Mileage: 18-28 mpg
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