Ford prices 2008 Taurus at $23,995
Starting at just $23,995, the 2008 Ford 500 Taurus will undercut the base Toyota Avalon and Chrysler 300 by thousands of dollars when it reaches showrooms this summer. Available in SEL or the more heavily optioned Limited model, all Tauruses will feature the new corporate 3.5-liter V6 pumping out 263 hp and 249 lb.-ft torque. Both trim levels will also feature a six-speed automatic transmission and plenty of standard equipment. Front, seat and side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitors, traction control, CD stereo with MP3-player jack, 17" aluminum wheels, and fog lamps are standard across the board.
If you want to add a 6-disc CD changer, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, wiper-activated headlamps with auto on/off, 8-way power driver's seat and wood grain accents, the optional Interior Convenience Package bumps the price to a still attractive $24,890. Other major options include GPS/DVD systems, stability control, moonroof, 18" rims, and Ford's new SYNC system. And if you're looking for AWD, the Taurus comes in about five grand below the cheapest Chrysler 300, at $25,845.
Full press release after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
Press Release:
NEW FORD TAURUS DELIVERS BEST OVERALL VALUE
DEARBORN , Mich., April 3, 2007 – The new 2008 Ford Taurus – the most powerful, refined, roomiest and safest Taurus ever – will have a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $23,995, including destination and delivery. Comparably equipped, Ford's iconic family sedan will be priced thousands of dollars less than sedans like the Toyota Avalon and the Chrysler 300.
Nearly 7 million Ford Taurus sedans have been built since 1985, and it remains one of the most recognized Ford vehicle names of all time – trailing only the Ford F-Series and Mustang.
The new Ford Taurus has a distinctive looked inspired by the highly successful Ford Fusion and Ford Edge. It adopts Ford's powerful and refined 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, and features some of Ford's most advanced safety technology – including standard Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags. The new Taurus already has earned five-star ratings in all categories in crash testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
"The overall impression the new Ford Taurus makes – inside and out – is upscale. But it will deliver great value, just like the original," said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service. "The new Taurus goes to the heart of how we are approaching the future of this great company and this great brand. Build more of the products that people really want – products with more striking designs and even better value."
Great Value
The 2008 Ford Taurus is available in two trim series: Taurus SEL and Taurus Limited. The 2008 Ford Taurus SEL starts at $23,995 (MSRP), including $750 destination and delivery.
A 2008 Ford Taurus SEL equipped with the optional Interior Convenience Package (including a 6-disc CD changer, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, wiper-activated headlamps with auto on/off, 8-way power driver's seat and wood grain appearance) is priced at $24,890 – a compelling value compared with comparably equipped Toyota Avalon XL ($27,495) and Chrysler 300 Touring ($29,635) models.
The new Taurus also delivers the best all-wheel drive value in its segment, with base prices starting at $25,845. The only other vehicle in its competitive set to offer all-wheel drive is Chrysler 300 – beginning at $30,250.
The pricing of the 2008 Ford Taurus continues a strategy Ford has been following with each new vehicle launch: offer bold designs with new features and more standard safety equipment at very competitive prices to create long-term value for consumers.
According to Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) data, this approach has sharply improved the resale value of Ford products at launch. For example, the projected 36-month resale value of the new Ford F-Series Super Duty is the highest of any full-size pickup truck. The resale value of the 2008 Ford Escape improved 11 percentage points and the resale value of the 2007 Ford Expedition improved by 9 percentage points.
Standard content on the 2008 Ford Taurus includes:
Available options include:
NEW FORD TAURUS DELIVERS BEST OVERALL VALUE
- New 2008 Ford Taurus, available this summer, starts under $24,000.
- Taurus costs thousands less than comparably equipped Toyota Avalon and Chrysler 300.
- The most powerful, refined, safest and roomiest Ford Taurus ever features a bold new design. All-wheel drive is now available for the first time on Taurus.
- New Taurus follows the same product and pricing strategy that has seen the 3-year resale values of new Ford products improve by as much as 11 percentage points.
DEARBORN , Mich., April 3, 2007 – The new 2008 Ford Taurus – the most powerful, refined, roomiest and safest Taurus ever – will have a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $23,995, including destination and delivery. Comparably equipped, Ford's iconic family sedan will be priced thousands of dollars less than sedans like the Toyota Avalon and the Chrysler 300.
Nearly 7 million Ford Taurus sedans have been built since 1985, and it remains one of the most recognized Ford vehicle names of all time – trailing only the Ford F-Series and Mustang.
The new Ford Taurus has a distinctive looked inspired by the highly successful Ford Fusion and Ford Edge. It adopts Ford's powerful and refined 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, and features some of Ford's most advanced safety technology – including standard Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags. The new Taurus already has earned five-star ratings in all categories in crash testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
"The overall impression the new Ford Taurus makes – inside and out – is upscale. But it will deliver great value, just like the original," said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service. "The new Taurus goes to the heart of how we are approaching the future of this great company and this great brand. Build more of the products that people really want – products with more striking designs and even better value."
Great Value
The 2008 Ford Taurus is available in two trim series: Taurus SEL and Taurus Limited. The 2008 Ford Taurus SEL starts at $23,995 (MSRP), including $750 destination and delivery.
A 2008 Ford Taurus SEL equipped with the optional Interior Convenience Package (including a 6-disc CD changer, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, wiper-activated headlamps with auto on/off, 8-way power driver's seat and wood grain appearance) is priced at $24,890 – a compelling value compared with comparably equipped Toyota Avalon XL ($27,495) and Chrysler 300 Touring ($29,635) models.
The new Taurus also delivers the best all-wheel drive value in its segment, with base prices starting at $25,845. The only other vehicle in its competitive set to offer all-wheel drive is Chrysler 300 – beginning at $30,250.
The pricing of the 2008 Ford Taurus continues a strategy Ford has been following with each new vehicle launch: offer bold designs with new features and more standard safety equipment at very competitive prices to create long-term value for consumers.
According to Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) data, this approach has sharply improved the resale value of Ford products at launch. For example, the projected 36-month resale value of the new Ford F-Series Super Duty is the highest of any full-size pickup truck. The resale value of the 2008 Ford Escape improved 11 percentage points and the resale value of the 2007 Ford Expedition improved by 9 percentage points.
Standard content on the 2008 Ford Taurus includes:
- 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 engine (263 hp and 249 lb.-ft torque)
- Smooth-shifting, fuel-saving 6-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Personal Safety System
- Driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags
- Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- Audio input jack for MP3 players
- AM/FM stereo with single CD player
- Traction control
- Integrated key fob
- Fog lamps
- 17-inch 8-spoke aluminum wheels
Available options include:
- AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control
- Wiper-activated headlamps
- All-wheel drive system
- New-generation DVD Family Entertainment System with 8-inch screen
- Voice-activated DVD-based Navigation System
- Wood package
- Ford SYNC™ voice-activated communications and entertainment system (available beginning this Fall)
- 18-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheel
- SIRIUS™ satellite radio
- Power moonroof
- Power adjustable pedals
- Reverse sensing system
- Front row heated seats
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Johnny Aero 7:14AM (4/04/2007)
How about Taurus X pricing?
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williamo 7:22AM (4/04/2007)
does anyone else things it just looks shit? like some tacky "retro" 80's car?
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Larry 7:30AM (4/04/2007)
It doesn't look that great to me, though
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Michael Karesh 7:32AM (4/04/2007)
I don't think it looks bad, just bland. The bit they really need to fix is the C-pillar, to give the car more character and perhaps a more formal appearance, but that was untouched.
These remain extremely functional cars, now with more power and available stability control.
The price looks very competitive. As soon as I can find full pricing I'll get the Taurus and the Taurus X into my database, for thorough price comparisons.
I'll be entering a number of 2008s over the next week.
http://www.truedelta.com/prices.php
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whathe? 9:27PM (4/04/2007)
They may sell a few of them, but it's just more confusion coming out of Dearborn. Starting with how fact they must have copied the last generation of Passat, then the name change. Dated, copied design now with a rental car name tacked on. For some people it will represent a value and Ford buyers are generally risk averse so I don't doubt they'll keep some wandering eyes in the fold.
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GOKARTN 10:32AM (4/04/2007)
It sounds like they put in a little padding for some rebates.
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Ron 7:48AM (4/04/2007)
IT's not THAT bad. The main problem area for me is the headlights. Will someone give the headlight design team some wiggle room to design something other than those bland squarish things they'be been putting on every Ford lately?
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akintz 8:07AM (4/04/2007)
This is why no one wanted the 500... it's boring. It looks plain and stupid. Calling it a Taurus now will not help that.
Sure it's a good value and you get some worthy features... but people are just going to look at it and go "ehh..."
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Axel 8:09AM (4/04/2007)
Compare that to the current Euro-Ford Mondeo...
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-mondeo/159416/
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Bob R. 8:10AM (4/04/2007)
It is an improvement. I agree with Michael, that C pillar needs to be changed, I bet it will make a huge improvement. At least it has more power now.
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Jay Ray 8:21AM (4/04/2007)
great for gramps
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Shawn 8:15AM (4/04/2007)
...Which family car do you think is exciting?
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AR 8:17AM (4/04/2007)
What a lovely grille. Yeah, that ought to move this "Taurus" to head of the class. Talk about lipstick on a pig.
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CarMan 8:32AM (4/04/2007)
On a price-per-stuff basis, that sounds like it could be a screaming deal. My pushing-70 mother would love this car.
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Sarr 5:49PM (4/04/2007)
This car may not be too exciting but the camry sells and that the bottom of the barrel when it comes to excitement. This car will atleast offer some better features such as all wheel drive and still be priced better.
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jgp 9:41AM (4/04/2007)
Hmm...it doesn't look as cartoonish as the Five Hundred, and that's a good thing. It's also the only car I've seen that the three-bar grill looks good on. That grill looks like crap on the Fusion...if I were looking at a midsize sedan, I'd consider a Milan, but not a Fusion, just based on the grill.
The Taurus can still stand further improvement, though...Michael's right. That C-pillar looks out of place on this design.
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benderillo 10:36AM (4/04/2007)
"Wiper Activated Headlamps"?
What does that mean? Do my lights come on when i turn on my wipers? This is an option?
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Chris 10:40AM (4/04/2007)
So, let me get this straight. They are putting the Taurus nameplate on a car that hasn't sold well because of its bland styling and hope that it will sell better only because it's now called a Taurus instead of a 500? I think Ford is officially in the denial stage of it's slide into oblivion.
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Mike 10:55AM (4/04/2007)
The pictures really do not do any justice to the changes. The Taurus was at the Denver auto show last weekend, and it actually looks like a different car. My fiance who is auto-illiterate had no idea they were the same car when they were sitting next to each other.
Overall, the changes that were made will go far in making this car trounce its intended competition (avalon) even more than it does already. It actually looks pretty damned good in person, and I hate fords, cars (I am a truck guy), and fwd.
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MikeW 11:24AM (4/04/2007)
It is a shame that the axle ratio is still wrong. Only 2.77.
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