2010 Ford Taurus SHO
The Ford Taurus debuted in the 1980s as a midsize sedan that made import manufacturers take notice, and this scrappy welterweight defended its title until age and overseas competition ended its reign. Gone are those early midsize Tauruses, though, replaced by a full-size behemoth with SUV-like characteristics that don’t end with its sun-eclipsing dimensions.
You sit high and upright in the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited, and you get a 263-horsepower V6 under the hood and tons of luggage space. Its lack of rearward visibility makes you glad for parking aids, and its large turning circle gives you a newfound appreciation for power steering.
Inside, the new Taurus exhibits a graceful arching design philosophy that is pleasing to the eye, but less so to the touch. Notably, while the high-quality dash pads are soft and elegantly joined to the high, sweeping center console, the latter consists of hard plastic despite being more likely to be pressed on by hands and knees.
Moreover, although the dashboard’s massive overhanging twin cowls keep incoming glare in check, the spongy vinyl construction reminds us of a disco-era beanbag chair. To the Taurus’ credit, though, all elements are solidly assembled, with few squeaks and rattles.
Powering our 2010 Ford Taurus test car is a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque using regular unleaded (premium gas slightly improves output). A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control and rev-matched downshifts channels power to the front wheels, with an all-wheel-drive model available at additional cost. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, which is on par with the competition’s figures. We managed 20 mpg in mixed driving.
Tags: drive model, ford taurus, horsepower v6, import manufacturers, new taurus, tauruses, test car
