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2010 Ford Taurus Review

July 24, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

  Ford "has swept most of the fuddy-duddy from the exterior
Automobile Magazine

The thick-looking rear end is not especially pleasing.
USA Today

This new Taurus is refreshingly unrecognizable from inside.
Edmunds

The 2010 Ford Taurus has an attractive new profile with trimmer, more athletic looks, and even though it's short of a full redesign, reviewers tend to like it much better than last year's version.

The most obvious changes of the new Taurus, according to Edmunds, are “the raised beltline and a lower, flatter roof that suggests a mildly chopped top. The all-new nose is tidy and wears an aggressive face, and the whole car is about 2 inches wider.” Automobile Magazine says, “Lowering the roof, raising the beltline, and loading the wheel wells with a selection of seventeen-, eighteen-, and nineteen-inch wheels has swept most of the fuddy-duddy from the exterior.”

The reviewer from USA Today scrutinizes some the Taurus’ exterior styling: “A so-called gesture line—a crease along the side about halfway down—provides visual drama. But the indentations in the upper and lower grille bars make no sense. The fake vent on the front fender shouldn't have happened. The thick-looking rear end is not especially pleasing.”

The 2010 Taurus, however, remains a large vehicle. “Sure, it sits 1.1 inches lower, but it's still 60.7 inches tall—2 inches or more higher than most anything else,” observes the Edmunds reviewer. “And while width can convey coolness, 76.2 inches is 2 inches wider than a Chrysler 300C and 3.5 inches wider than a BMW 5 Series. This is a very big car.”

Car and Driver says the Taurus SHO model “looks almost exactly like its lesser brethren. Subtle SHO badges appear on the trunklid and C-pillars, and the LEDs in the front bumper have a silver bezel instead of a black one. Judging by the car’s looks, SHO owners won’t be showing off much, and that’s okay. The letters S-H-O are still about power, but this one is mature enough not to advertise its speedy nature.”

Inside, the Taurus is more focused. Standard Tauruses wear more traditional faux-wood and plastic trim, while the SHO gets special badging, glossy black dash trim, and more metallic highlights inside and out, as well as a trunklid spoiler, twin chrome exhaust tips, and a snazzier grille.

Automobile Magazine comments that the “dash and center console are integrated in a grand sweep that designers love to flaunt on show cars and engineers habitually veto before production." Edmunds is very complimentary of the new Taurus’ interior: “The notion of a driver's cockpit is further reinforced by an attractive center stack that reclines from the dashboard and sweeps between the comfortable and supportive bucket seats, carrying myriad logically arrayed controls with it. This new Taurus is refreshingly unrecognizable from inside.”

Again commenting on the SHO version, Car and Driver says, “The SHO’s interior is differentiated from the standard Taurus’s via black trim along the center console, metallic-looking trim instead of wood, leather-trimmed seats with fake-suede inserts, and a steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather.”

Conclusion

The 2010 Ford Taurus presents an interesting new shape that hints at the smaller Ford Fusion.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:  Ford "has swept most of the fuddy-duddy from the exteriorAutomobile MagazineThe thick-looking rear end is not especially pleasing.USA TodayThis new Taurus is refreshingly unrecognizable from inside.Edmunds The 2010 Ford Taurus has an attractive new profile with trimmer, more athletic looks, and even though it's short of a full redesign, reviewers tend to like it much better than last year's version. The most obvious changes of the new Taurus, according to Edmunds, are “the raised beltline and a lower, flatter roof that suggests a mildly chopped top. The all-new nose is tidy and wears an aggressive face, and the whole car is about 2 inches wider.” Automobile Magazine says, “Lowering the roof, raising the beltline, and loading the wheel wells with a selection of seventeen-, eighteen-, and nineteen-inch wheels has swept most of the fuddy-duddy from the exterior.” The reviewer from USA Today scrutinizes some the Taurus’ exterior styling: “A so-called gesture line—a crease along the side about halfway down—provides visual drama. But the indentations in the upper and lower grille bars make no sense. The fake vent on the front fender shouldn't have happened. The thick-looking rear end is not especially pleasing.” The 2010 Taurus, however, remains a large vehicle. “Sure, it sits 1.1 inches lower, but it's still 60.7 inches tall—2 inches or more higher than most anything else,” observes the Edmunds reviewer. “And while width can convey coolness, 76.2 inches is 2 inches wider than a Chrysler 300C and 3.5 inches wider than a BMW 5 Series. This is a very big car.” Car and Driver says the Taurus SHO model “looks almost exactly like its lesser brethren. Subtle SHO badges appear on the trunklid and C-pillars, and the LEDs in the front bumper have a silver bezel instead of a black one. Judging by the car’s looks, SHO owners won’t be showing off much, and that’s okay. The letters S-H-O are still about power, but this one is mature enough not to advertise its speedy nature.” Inside, the Taurus is more focused. Standard Tauruses wear more traditional faux-wood and plastic trim, while the SHO gets special badging, glossy black dash trim, and more metallic highlights inside and out, as well as a trunklid spoiler, twin chrome exhaust tips, and a snazzier grille. Automobile Magazine comments that the “dash and center console are integrated in a grand sweep that designers love to flaunt on show cars and engineers habitually veto before production." Edmunds is very complimentary of the new Taurus’ interior: “The notion of a driver's cockpit is further reinforced by an attractive center stack that reclines from the dashboard and sweeps between the comfortable and supportive bucket seats, carrying myriad logically arrayed controls with it. This new Taurus is refreshingly unrecognizable from inside.” Again commenting on the SHO version, Car and Driver says, “The SHO’s interior is differentiated from the standard Taurus’s via black trim along the center console, metallic-looking trim instead of wood, leather-trimmed seats with fake-suede inserts, and a steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather.” ConclusionThe 2010 Ford Taurus presents an interesting new shape that hints at the smaller Ford Fusion. 2010 FORD TAURUS STYLING | [7 out of 10] Automobile Magazine:  Ford "has swept most of the fuddy-duddy from the exterior" USA Today: "The thick-looking rear end is not especially pleasing." Edmunds: "This new Taurus is refreshingly unrecognizable from inside." The 2010 Ford Taurus ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a big sedan with a capable performance edge. The latest Chevrolet Malibu occupies roughly the same size class—bigger than the usual front-driver—but offers a fuel-saving four-cylinder version and a hybrid edition, though no all-wheel drive. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord also offer four-cylinder options; the Accord’s styling stretches the envelope like the Taurus and its handling is better than most full-size sedans, while the Camry appeals to other buyers who want more traditional styling and a more sedate driving experience.

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See the Ford Taurus in Other Years:

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

Comments (15 total)

  1. By Berk Thornton #1, Posted: 7/26/2009

    Love the car - - but why on earth did Mullaly & Co. build it LONGER THAN THE FORD FLEX ??? Way too big.

  2. By Dan #2, Posted: 7/30/2009

    The malibu???? please.....there is nothing pleasing to the eye with that one...same old GM "stuff"...much improved over the former model, but not even close.... to the new taurus.. sorry.... listen to people who did unsuspecting reviews with the nameplate covered up on the taurus. this is going to be a huge hit for Ford and American cars

  3. By isaiahg #3, Posted: 8/6/2009

    Too bad the Tuarus doesnt compete with the Altima, or Malibu. It competes with the Bland Avalon, and Impala, but it does compete with the Maxima. I also hope it' big because it's a full size car.

  4. By bruno #4, Posted: 8/15/2009

    I have the 2008 Limited Taurus. I am 6 ft. 5 in. and weigh 365 lbs. This car is the most comfortable car I have driven, besides the Chrysler Pacifica. For those folks who do not like a large vehicle, you all have plenty of choices. I am glad to see Ford producing such a comfortable sporty car with relative good mpg. I would also like to see some of the updates on a Town Car and Crown Vic. I think there is still a market for a large affordable highway cruiser. I have owned Nissan, Toyota and GM. My 08 Taurus beats them all for value. Cannot wait to try out the 2010 Taurus. I know it will be a hit. Thanks Ford for producing the cars we want. Oh, the Chrysler Pacifica was comfortable but to expensive to operate.

  5. By Clayton #5, Posted: 9/12/2009

    The 2010 Ford Taurus? No way!! It is way over priced and simply is not what the economic society is looking for. 20 MPG? Please, I'll buy a F-150 then. You have disappointed me for the last time. I'm going Chevy.

  6. By LongTimeTaurusDriver #6, Posted: 9/25/2009

    You folks that do these reviews need to get a new gig because you obviously don't know jack about cars. The '10 Taurus is NOT new! Only the styling and interior are new. Underneath the new sheet metal and better upholstery is the same platform (loosely based on the Volvo S80) as the last several model years, and with the same 6 speed tranny and 3.5L engine it has had since '08. Yes, the 263HP 3.5 arrived in the Taurus in '08, as did the GM/Ford jointly developed 6 speed transmission. I've driven my '08 Taurus a little over 50K miles, and just ordered a '10. Same car, new lipstick. Looks more modern, but unfortunately they took what was one of the most commodious and comfortable back seats, and sacrificed it on the altar of zoom zoom looks. Bad decision. Cars of this exterior dimension should have limo accommodations in the rear passenger area. As mentioned in the review, unless you are a gnome, do NOT order a moonroof. Even in the front if you are anything over six feet tall, you will be uncomfortable. Handling is very similar to the last couple models, which actually is not bad for a big heavy sedan. New car is marginally quieter, and the styling is pleasant, but way too much sacrifice was made in the visibility and interior volume department. In fact, this thing only has one more inch of rear leg room than the Fusion, and the Fusion (Mazda 6 pan) has a very cramped back seat for adults. Not a bad attempt at an update, but geez Ford, after 100 years in the biz you would think you should know that your big car should be big inside too. Start working on the fix for this now so when I order the next one my wife won't be complaining about the back seat, which I have already heard from her about with this one, and I don't even have it yet!

  7. By Gary Folger #7, Posted: 10/7/2009

    Drove one over the weekend and can say I'm overly pleased. I'm going to buy one this weekend if I can find the right color combo. Great car, better handling and pickup than my Accord. Drive one and you'll love it!

  8. By Pam Guidry #8, Posted: 10/13/2009

    We just purchased a 2010 Taurus. I hve driven these cars for years. My question is about the headrests. I didn't test drive this car because my husband bought it, But am I the only one that thinks these headrests are extremely uncomfortable? I can't configure the seats in any way that will position my head so that it is not protruding too far forward. It is giving me back and neck strain.

  9. By Paul L #9, Posted: 10/21/2009

    Rented one for a week. Adequate road manners and power, but visibility was so poor to the rear and also to the sides that backing up or changing lanes on the interstate was a very stressful process.
    For my money?
    Keep shopping.

  10. By Leslie Ajayi #10, Posted: 10/26/2009

    I traded in my 2008 Ford Taurus for the 2010 Taurus. I thought the 2008 was a great act, but Taurus 2010 is the Taurus ever built and one of the best car i have ever driven. This car glides, is very responsive and obedient, like reading your thoughts !. The exterior is aerodymamic and the drivers seat feels like a cradle ! THe dashboard is logically arranged, and like a cockpit. The climate control, the Sirius radio, the heated side mirrors, and the rear doppler enhances the safety and confidence of this car, in addition to a supoerior and noiseless acceleration.
    Kudos to Ford automobile Engineering !

  11. By mynewtaurus #11, Posted: 10/26/2009

    I got a new SEL AWD with full options. Much better car, may be better than most of the premium sedans of its class for the value. My only concern is the rear visibility.

  12. By  AutoCritical #12, Posted: 11/1/2009

    This is another example of Ford really stepping up on their car designs. There are a few hints of the Mondeo and Interceptor flavor that make it fit nicely into the line up of new Fords. I personally don't like the parallel-ness of the body side as it makes the car seem a bit static. I wrote more about the design and about some improvements that could have been done at http://bit.ly/1ab1vE

  13. By Gerald #13, Posted: 11/16/2009

    at first glance a brilliant move by Ford, but into my second month with my 2010 Taurus Limited there are many flaws: too long, worst headlights I've ever experienced on a vehichle. Very hard to see driving at night. Poor visibility, front, sides and rear. Front seats get hard and uncomfortable on long trips. On the plus side, 27+ avg. mpg, solid, quiet. Overall maybe a C+.

  14. By Larry Frazier #14, Posted: 11/18/2009

    The 2010 Ford Taurus I going to be a giant for Ford and their the only car Maker in the US with their feet on the ground and have came up with a jewell and Im with some else if I can find one equipted the way I want and color I will buy one this weekend

  15. By Mike #15, Posted: 11/20/2009

    I have had my 2010 SHO model for a week and I can tell you that it is a great car. It is obvious to me that many of the above folks have not driven the SHO. It is very comfortable, has plenty of headroom/legroom, and has power to spare! A pleasure to own and drive!

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