Bigs n' Littles: Inside Line pits Ford's new Taurus SHO against Infiniti G37
Back when we gave you our first drive impressions of Ford's new Taurus and Taurus SHO, we expressed a measure of concern that it wasn't immediately clear as to which competitors Dearborn's new offerings might square off against. While carving out a new niche can sometimes mean that you can coerce buyers from all segments of the market (Chrysler's PT Cruiser was a good example of this when it launched, as was the Mini Cooper), we openly questioned whether that will be the case with the Blue Oval's big new sedan:
"The Taurus name has never been extended upmarket like this before (let alone in such a waterlogged economy), and it isn't immediately clear who the model's competitors are – a detail that could prove problematic when trying to target customers."Judging by their new comparison test which pits the SHO against a Journey-spec Infiniti G37 sedan, the folks over at Inside Line share our quandary. After all, given that the rear-drive Infiniti is significantly smaller and lighter, driven by half-as-many wheels (and seemingly from a different end of the market), this seems like a questionable matchup. And yet, there really aren't many cars that are better comparisons – the Chrysler 300C AWD, perhaps, or the front-drive Chevrolet Impala SS, but both are older propositions that are massively outclassed by the spanking new Ford. We might have suggested the Acura TL, but Inside Line already tested that car in a comparison and found it wanting.
Given that the Blue Oval itself appears to be targeting upmarket brands with some of its benchmarks, perhaps the G isn't an unreasonable choice, especially given that its as-tested price ended up being cheaper than the Ford. In any case, the SHO vs. G37 comparison makes for interesting reading, so check it out by clicking on the link below.
[Source: Inside Line; Image: Kurt Niebuhr]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
verytuscan 1:45PM (7/07/2009)
" Inside Line pits Ford's new Taurus SHO against Infiniti G37"
And to see how close the Taurus come to the G37???
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Rick 2:05PM (7/07/2009)
and yet comes up short in every category and still costs $4k more?!
Joe K. 2:10PM (7/07/2009)
Not every category, it's bigger, has a much roomier trunk, larger backseat, and has all wheel drive... Pretty significant to many buyers...
merlot066 3:21PM (7/07/2009)
The Taurus is a BIGGER CAR!!!! I don't get how it isn't clear. Sure, some people go by price not by size, but if you're going to complain and say that the full-size Taurus is more expensive, slower, and less agile than a mid-sized Infiniti then you're an idiot. If this had been against a $48,000 M35 AWD, then I could see people complaining about the Taurus being a worse performer (although I doubt it would be , because the Taurus is cheaper, the fully loaded price being $45k, the Taurus is more powerful, having roughly 50 more HP and 100 more ft lbs of torque, and the Taurus gets better mileage 17/25 vs. 16/22). I only skimmed the article after watching the video, but I didn't see if they had the performance package, but that has performance brakes which should've helped the braking concerns, and a "sport mode" for AdvanceTrac that might have helped, because they said it felt like the system was kicking in too early.
Rick 11:07AM (7/08/2009)
If you think many people are going to buy a $48k Taurus, then you my friend, are the idiot. I didn't do the comparison, I'm just commenting on the results. That extra horse power and torque did little to beat the slower G37. What's your point? You like the Ford, I get that. It's big, I get that. It's short on value and performance so who is it being marketed too? Patriotic dads who aren't sure about buying a important performance sedan?
merlot066 11:07PM (7/12/2009)
No, i'm pretty sure you are the idiot. This was a totally unfair comparison to begin with, but the SHO was very close performance wise. Do I need to mention again that the price of the SHO was inflated 7,000 dollars with usless (as far as performance numbers are concerned) tech options, and they didn't have the SHO equipped with the $995 Performance Package? 0.2 seconds slower in the 0-60 time. That could easily be fixed by the performance pack's lower axle ratio. 0.4 seconds in the 1/4 mile, again the axle ratio would lessen the Infiniti's lead. 0.7 Gs less on the skidpad could be fixed by the performance pack's even sportier tuned suspension and the standard high performance summer tires. 17 more feet for the 70-0 stop, that's where the unfairness of the size really comes into play, but the performance pack has better brakes, so problem solved. 3.5 mph less for the slalom would definetley be fixed by a combination of the sportier tuned suspension, high performance summer tires, and AdvanceTrac defeat (which I admit is stupid to not have on the normal model). The Performance Package will be a popular option on these, but not everybody needs it. People like my dad don't need to take a corner at 60, brake from 70-0 on a dime, and be able to go 3.5mph faster on a slalom course. The regular SHO is a pretty well balanced, aggressive looking, sports sedan that can fly from 0-60 much faster when compared to most other cars it's size. People look at the price like Ford is nuts, but it isn't that expensive compared to it's real competition. The Taurus Limited AWD is 34k, the SHO AWD is 38k. For 4 thousand dollars you get 100 more hp, 100 more ft lbs of torque, intelligent access with push button start, auto dimming sideview mirrors, and a spoiler, not bad, especially the 100 hp/torque part. The Toyota Avalon Limited starts at over 36k and that's without AWD or 365hp. The VW CC costs 36k for the bigger engined (still much less powerful) AWD model, but it is also only a 4 seater. If you wanted a true comparison of a SHO to a luxury Infiniti, they should have compared it to an M35x, because that would be the same price and size as the SHO. Or if you want an Infiniti with a smaller power disadvantage, you could go for the M45x, but then you would be talking a $10k price advantage for the SHO. Hopefully they'll have another comparison with a Performance Package SHO vs. the G37 or vs. a M35 or M45. We'll see then.
Tdogg 1:45PM (7/07/2009)
Obviously the Taurus SHO is competing against any higher powered full size sedan, like the Charger SRT8, Pontiac G8 (not for long?), and examples you gave.
Its hard to tell cause theres not that many sports sedans out there.
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novanglus 3:12PM (7/07/2009)
Christ, what stupid comparison. Next, we'll compare a Ducatti Demosedici RR with a BMW X60 50i, as they are in the same price class.
What, they couldn't get ahold of a M35 or M45 to test it against? Or an A6 3.0t?
Secondly, Infiniti Gs are the new douche-mobiles. If I see one more bleach blonde cougar-wannabe driving a G37 sedan or Johnny Hairgel driving a G37 coupe I'm gonna start randomly PIT-Maneuvering them.
Jake B 3:40PM (7/07/2009)
I think that the G is always a good choice. Just because some D-bags find it appropriate to strap on huge wings and gilled hoods is just a testament to the cars wide audience.
geo.stewart 4:10PM (7/07/2009)
how about the Maxima or M45? Acura RL?
size to size.
same as the CTS vs a 5series rather than a 3 series.
airswingman 5:51PM (7/07/2009)
the "comparession test" is one of the most common marketing tools,
it can leave the image to the consumer that all products form the "test" are in the same category and same level.
The Acura infiniti and lexus used to play it all the time when they just entered the premium level market, now ford......
Steve Lopez 7:14AM (7/08/2009)
The new SHO competes with the Dodge Charger SRT series, Maxium SE,
Toyota Avalon.
These are its major competitors. Not the Chrysler 300. (Premium vehicle here), or the other luxury brands.
It will not should not sell in the amounts that a Fusion would sell.
Niche car and market. Nice redo and I think it will sell well.
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mact 1:48PM (7/07/2009)
I'd never thought i'd see the day where a Ford Taurus costs more than an Infiniti.
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Rob 2:26PM (7/07/2009)
The most hilarious part is, it can't keep up at all. In any test. The G37 spanks it properly. But then Inside Line starts to feel bad, so they mention how they totally surprised some guy in a Dale Ernhardt Monte Carlo.
WOW. Woop dee freakin' do. So the almost $50,000 ford taurus is too fat, heavy, and soft to compete with an import (as per usual), but it is better than a godawful GM product.
I'm sure with abilities like that it'll be flying off the lots.
akboss302 3:17PM (7/07/2009)
As they stated in the article, it wasn't an exact match for a square-off. If you put a marathon runner against a UFC heavyweight champion in a 100m race, obviously the marathoner will win - does that mean the UFC champion is useless? No, it doesn't. The Taurus isn't trying to be a lightning quick, darting, kinfe-edged rocket - its a big, luxurious cruiser that has more balls than the base model, and it would be the one I'd pick if I had the money.
Willem B 3:36PM (7/07/2009)
@Rob
Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking > you
Use some brains before you spew your fanboy crap that you read straight off of the incredibly biased news channels...
Al 4:53PM (7/07/2009)
What about the previous gen SHO costing more than the 24k Infiniti G20, or are you too young to remember that.
Duh 5:09PM (7/07/2009)
Really a Ford Shelby GT500 has for a few years now and how bout a Ford Gt
merlot066 12:01PM (7/13/2009)
Rob, see my post right above, and shut the hell up.
SOhp101 1:48PM (7/07/2009)
From everything I've read about its handling, and given its size, I'd say it's still competing in the exact same category: the full size segment (Avalon, etc. ) I find it hard to believe that a person looking for a Taurus would also be looking for a 3 series/A4/C class.
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