2013 Ford Taurus vs. Its Competition

By Bengt Halvorson

Bengt Halvorson

Deputy Editor BIO

Bengt Halvorson is Deputy Editor of High Gear Media's portfolio of car sites, overseeing the production of reviews, evaluating vehicles firsthand... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Nissan Rogue Vs. Honda CR-V: Compare Cars
For small families, the vehicle of choice is no longer the minivan or the SUV; it's the compact... Read More

• #2LEADERBOARD RANK
• 2655ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 108COMMENTS POSTED

Apr 12, 2012

The 2013 Ford Taurus is one of the longer sedans on the market, at about 203 inches long, and with a long list of luxury and tech features it lands somewhere between well-equipped mainstream mid-size sedans, full-size sedans, and true luxury sedans.

In its base form, it overlaps with the likes of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry--as well as the Toyota Avalon--but when loaded it takes on larger, more luxurious sedans like the Toyota Avalon and Buick LaCrosse.

In that latter group, the Buick LaCrosse is perhaps closest to the Taurus in overall packaging; like the Taurus, the LaCrosse offers a more modern, stylish, and sporty take on the traditional luxury sedan--with the emphasis on comfort.

But unlike the Taurus, the LaCrosse offers no true sport model.

Both the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord might not feel as large and substantial at first look, but they offer more economical four-cylinder options with just as much comfort and possibly roomier backseats.

Hyundai's new 2013 Azera is another strong alternative, with a fashionable, spacious interior and refined powertrain.

Also for 2013, the Chevrolet Malibu, which is nearly as roomy inside, gets a new, more efficient four-cylinder lineup, including a turbocharged model.

But the high-performance Taurus SHO's natural competitor, we think, is the Chrysler 300C; they're about the same price, both with all-wheel drive, and really it's a hard call--the Chrysler is more straightforward, brash, and edgy, while it's hard to argue with the way the Ford soothes, satisfies, and eats up the miles.