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2008 Ford Taurus Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com’s car experts consulted all the respected Web reviews of the 2008 Ford Taurus to bring you this conclusive review of its styling, performance, features, safety and quality. In addition, TheCarConnection.com’s staffers also drove the latest version of the Ford Taurus to provide you with their expert opinion, to bring you even more detailed coverage of the Taurus, and to explain why different reviews from the Web might have strongly different opinions.

Likes:

  • Exceptional interior room
  • Surprisingly adept handling
  • Strong braking performance
  • Huge trunk
  • Available Sync audio controller

Dislikes:

  • Dowdy looks, especially from behind
  • Utter lack of sporting feel
  • Interior trim a step behind in look and feel

Buying Tips:


Despite bringing back the Taurus name on a new sedan for 2008, the latest Taurus isn't selling so well. Most versions can be had at a considerable discount--even more so if you shop the nearly identical Mercury Sable. If you really need all-wheel drive in the northern tier of states, the Taurus's system is recommended. Otherwise, save the weight and the lower fuel economy and stick with front-wheel-drive versions.

When Ford dropped the Taurus from its lineup in 2007, it marked a fast fall for the sedan from the very top of the market. The 1992 Ford Taurus had been a class leader; for years, the Taurus was the best-selling car in America. By 2007, it had become a rental-car special.

Under new leadership at Ford, the company resurrected the Taurus nameplate for the 2008 model year and applied it to the Ford Five Hundred, a large sedan introduced in 2005. That new sedan shared running gear with the Volvo XC90 sport-utility vehicle, which explains the vast interior spaces inside today's Taurus.

The 2008 Ford Taurus comes in two editions: a base SEL and an up-level Limited. Both share the same 263-horsepower V-6 engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission is standard. All-wheel drive is an option; fundamentally sound handling is standard.

While the Taurus's engine is powerful enough, it groans and doesn't contribute to the car's otherwise solid quality and execution. The interior's a bit drab, but it's pieced together well, and there's plenty of storage space in the console and door panels. The 2008 Ford Taurus's seats are perched high, giving drivers a commanding view of the road, and the glassy cabin offers great visibility. That, the large switchgear, and a comprehensive package of airbags, stability control, and available all-wheel drive make the Taurus one of the safest cars on the road.

Other Choices:

If you like the Ford Taurus, also consider:

Reason Why:

Buick's surprisingly satisfying LaCrosse has V-6 power, a great automatic transmission, and a sophisticated interior. The Toyota Avalon's somewhat unusual styling is balanced by its vast interior room and the model's exceptional reputation for reliability. Chevrolet's Impala was greatly improved in a redesign a few years ago, and can be a great bargain--plus, it's the only car in this group with a V-8 option.

The Bottom Line:

A great choice for older drivers, the 2008 Ford Taurus excels on its size, safety gear, and large instrumentation, but falls behind the Honda Accord in driving excitement.

TheCarConnection.com’s car experts consulted all the respected Web reviews of the 2008 Ford Taurus to bring you this conclusive review of its styling, performance, features, safety and quality. In addition, TheCarConnection.com’s staffers also drove the latest version of the Ford Taurus to provide you with their expert opinion, to bring you even more detailed coverage of the Taurus, and to explain why different reviews from the Web might have strongly different opinions. Likes:Exceptional interior roomSurprisingly adept handlingStrong braking performanceHuge trunkAvailable Sync audio controllerDislikes:Dowdy looks, especially from behindUtter lack of sporting feelInterior trim a step behind in look and feelBuying Tips: Despite bringing back the Taurus name on a new sedan for 2008, the latest Taurus isn't selling so well. Most versions can be had at a considerable discount--even more so if you shop the nearly identical Mercury Sable. If you really need all-wheel drive in the northern tier of states, the Taurus's system is recommended. Otherwise, save the weight and the lower fuel economy and stick with front-wheel-drive versions. When Ford dropped the Taurus from its lineup in 2007, it marked a fast fall for the sedan from the very top of the market. The 1992 Ford Taurus had been a class leader; for years, the Taurus was the best-selling car in America. By 2007, it had become a rental-car special. Under new leadership at Ford, the company resurrected the Taurus nameplate for the 2008 model year and applied it to the Ford Five Hundred, a large sedan introduced in 2005. That new sedan shared running gear with the Volvo XC90 sport-utility vehicle, which explains the vast interior spaces inside today's Taurus. The 2008 Ford Taurus comes in two editions: a base SEL and an up-level Limited. Both share the same 263-horsepower V-6 engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission is standard. All-wheel drive is an option; fundamentally sound handling is standard. While the Taurus's engine is powerful enough, it groans and doesn't contribute to the car's otherwise solid quality and execution. The interior's a bit drab, but it's pieced together well, and there's plenty of storage space in the console and door panels. The 2008 Ford Taurus's seats are perched high, giving drivers a commanding view of the road, and the glassy cabin offers great visibility. That, the large switchgear, and a comprehensive package of airbags, stability control, and available all-wheel drive make the Taurus one of the safest cars on the road. Other Choices:If you like the Ford Taurus, also consider:Buick LaCrosseToyota AvalonChevrolet ImpalaReason Why:Buick's surprisingly satisfying LaCrosse has V-6 power, a great automatic transmission, and a sophisticated interior. The Toyota Avalon's somewhat unusual styling is balanced by its vast interior room and the model's exceptional reputation for reliability. Chevrolet's Impala was greatly improved in a redesign a few years ago, and can be a great bargain--plus, it's the only car in this group with a V-8 option. The Bottom Line:A great choice for older drivers, the 2008 Ford Taurus excels on its size, safety gear, and large instrumentation, but falls behind the Honda Accord in driving excitement. TheCarConnection.com’s car experts consulted all the respected Web reviews of the 2008 Ford Taurus to bring you this conclusive review of its styling, performance, features, safety and quality. In addition, TheCarConnection.com’s staffers also drove the latest version of the Ford Taurus to ...

Other Choices:

Buick's surprisingly satisfying LaCrosse has V-6 power, a great automatic transmission, and a sophisticated interior. The Toyota Avalon's somewhat unusual styling is balanced by its vast interior room and the model's exceptional reputation for reliability. Chevrolet's Impala was greatly improved in a redesign a few years ago, and can be a great bargain--plus, it's the only car in this group with a V-8 option.

Next Steps:

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See the Ford Taurus in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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