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2008 Ford Taurus X Quality Review

July 2, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

third row seatbacks are pretty short and best suited to juvenile
Autoblog

roomy seats in all three rows
Cars.com

headroom and legroom are both six-footer ample
ConsumerGuide

acceptable seat comfort in all three rows
Edmunds

comfortable, ergonomically appealing interior
Washington Post

The 2008 Ford Taurus X has good comfort for five passengers, but TheCarConnection.com advises that buyers be realistic about the third-row seat.

The Washington Post says the 2008 Ford Taurus X has a "comfortable, ergonomically appealing interior," while Cars.com reports "roomy seats in all three rows." While ConsumerGuide notes "headroom and legroom are both six-footer ample," Autoblog points out that "third row seatbacks are pretty short and best suited to juvenile [occupants]." On the other hand, Edmunds says the 2008 Ford Taurus X has "acceptable seat comfort in all three rows" and claims "children, teenagers and average-sized adults alike will find the rearmost quarters perfectly comfortable and fully usable."

TheCarConnection.com notes few complaints about interior space in this Ford; 2008’s Taurus X, the Washington Post reports, has "rear seats [that] easily can be flipped and folded to make room for lots of cargo," with a capacity of "85.5 cubic feet with second- and third-row seats folded" and "15.8 cubic feet with those seats raised." ConsumerGuide reports "all rear seats fold flat," providing a "wide load deck [that] stretches to 9.5-ft with the right-front seatback folded down." This source also notes that the third-row seat of the 2008 Ford "converts more easily than most, disappearing into a floorwell that provides handy storage otherwise."

Autoblog points out "plenty of storage space throughout the interior, including deep, wide pockets in all four door panels with Ford's now customary cup holders molded in"; they also mention that in the 2008 Ford, a "decent sized compartment in the dash above the center stack can hold the usual assortment of electronic toys" and a "roof mounted console has a compartment suitable for glasses or garage door openers."

Cars.com is less impressed with the Ford 2008 Taurus X's interior material quality and ergonomics, noting "so-so materials and some shoddy build quality...the steering wheel tilts but doesn't telescope, a shortcoming." Edmunds notes "cheap interior materials" while ConsumerGuide says that the cabin assembly is "mostly top notch, but materials disappoint...hard plastics dominate the interiors, with precious few soft or padded surfaces to be found."

Noise levels are acceptable for the most part; Autoblog reports that "on the road, the Taurus X was nicely hushed...sounds that did come through from the engine compartment were muted and never felt strained." On the other hand, ConsumerGuide reports "a coarse engine note intrudes during acceleration."

Conclusion

Most drivers and passengers will find that the 2008 Ford Taurus X offers acceptable--if not lavish--levels of comfort and exceptional cargo storage.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:third row seatbacks are pretty short and best suited to juvenileAutoblogroomy seats in all three rowsCars.comheadroom and legroom are both six-footer ampleConsumerGuideacceptable seat comfort in all three rowsEdmundscomfortable, ergonomically appealing interiorWashington Post The 2008 Ford Taurus X has good comfort for five passengers, but TheCarConnection.com advises that buyers be realistic about the third-row seat. The Washington Post says the 2008 Ford Taurus X has a "comfortable, ergonomically appealing interior," while Cars.com reports "roomy seats in all three rows." While ConsumerGuide notes "headroom and legroom are both six-footer ample," Autoblog points out that "third row seatbacks are pretty short and best suited to juvenile [occupants]." On the other hand, Edmunds says the 2008 Ford Taurus X has "acceptable seat comfort in all three rows" and claims "children, teenagers and average-sized adults alike will find the rearmost quarters perfectly comfortable and fully usable." TheCarConnection.com notes few complaints about interior space in this Ford; 2008’s Taurus X, the Washington Post reports, has "rear seats [that] easily can be flipped and folded to make room for lots of cargo," with a capacity of "85.5 cubic feet with second- and third-row seats folded" and "15.8 cubic feet with those seats raised." ConsumerGuide reports "all rear seats fold flat," providing a "wide load deck [that] stretches to 9.5-ft with the right-front seatback folded down." This source also notes that the third-row seat of the 2008 Ford "converts more easily than most, disappearing into a floorwell that provides handy storage otherwise." Autoblog points out "plenty of storage space throughout the interior, including deep, wide pockets in all four door panels with Ford's now customary cup holders molded in"; they also mention that in the 2008 Ford, a "decent sized compartment in the dash above the center stack can hold the usual assortment of electronic toys" and a "roof mounted console has a compartment suitable for glasses or garage door openers." Cars.com is less impressed with the Ford 2008 Taurus X's interior material quality and ergonomics, noting "so-so materials and some shoddy build quality...the steering wheel tilts but doesn't telescope, a shortcoming." Edmunds notes "cheap interior materials" while ConsumerGuide says that the cabin assembly is "mostly top notch, but materials disappoint...hard plastics dominate the interiors, with precious few soft or padded surfaces to be found." Noise levels are acceptable for the most part; Autoblog reports that "on the road, the Taurus X was nicely hushed...sounds that did come through from the engine compartment were muted and never felt strained." On the other hand, ConsumerGuide reports "a coarse engine note intrudes during acceleration." ConclusionMost drivers and passengers will find that the 2008 Ford Taurus X offers acceptable--if not lavish--levels of comfort and exceptional cargo storage. 2008 FORD TAURUS X STYLING | [7 out of 10] Autoblog: "Edge-inspired exterior styling" Cars.com: "it still looks like an overgrown wagon" Edmunds: "cloth upholstery in SEL models is unimpressive" Jalopnik: "looks like the spiritual successor to the big wagons of yore" Washington Post: ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The slow-selling Chrysler Pacifica, which has been discontinued after this model year, has been the Taurus X's closest rival, though the Pacifica has slower acceleration and doesn't handle any better than the 2008 Ford Taurus X; it's also won top crash-test results across the board. At the back, the Taurus X's third row is roomier, with easier access. The Outlook is one of a group of new GM crossovers that includes the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia; it performs well and has a more refined ride than the Taurus X, though it feels smaller inside than the Pacifica and Taurus X, and its third row is tight. The same goes for the Honda Pilot, which is also rated well for safety and has a tight third row of seating. Some may find the Pilot's faux-rugged, boxy appearance alluring.

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See the Ford Taurus X in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

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