huge dose of character...clean, smooth and well proportioned
30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Camping In Your Truck
We've pitched a few tents in our time, and we're no strangers to camping. Still, when a 2013 Ram... Read More
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The Basics:
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.
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
