2019 Ford Taurus
Over thirty-some years, the Ford Taurus has become an icon. In the beginning it was lean and radical, but today it's a full-size front-wheel-drive sedan facing the end of its production run. The Taurus will disappear, most likely sometime this model year, as Ford continues its march toward a lineup of crossovers, SUVs, and trucks, with just a couple of passenger cars to remain. This is the 10th year for this generation of Taurus. It's solid and well-built, but its exterior, interior and packaging are somewhat dated as a result. It got minor updates in 2013 to keep up with rivals like the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Chevrolet Impala.
The base engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 making 288 horsepower, and, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, it works well for daily driving. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder was discontinued in 2018.
The 365-horsepower turbocharged V-6 in the all-wheel-drive SHO model is a blast. It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in about five seconds, using a 6-speed paddle-shifting transmission and riding on a tuned suspension. All-wheel drive is standard on the SHO and optional on the Taurus SEL and Limited.
The V-6 gets 18 city, 27 highway and 21 combined miles per gallon with front-wheel drive, 2 less mpg with all-wheel drive. We drove more than 250 miles in an all-wheel-drive model and got nearly 20 mpg combined. The Taurus SHO gets about the same as the base Taurus with all-wheel drive, scoring 16/24/19 mpg.
The NHTSA gives the Taurus five stars overall in crash testing, with four stars in rollover.
The IIHS gives it top Good scores in every test except for just Acceptable in the driver-side small-overlap test, which simulates impact with an oncoming car on a two-lane road. The IIHS also rated the Taurus' headlights 'Poor.'?
Tellingly, the Taurus lacks optional automatic emergency braking-something standard on some competitors. .
Full Review
Full Review
This is the 10th year for this generation of Taurus. It's solid and well-built, but its exterior, interior and packaging are somewhat dated as a result. It got minor updates in 2013 to keep up with rivals like the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Chevrolet Impala.
The base engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 making 288 horsepower, and, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, it works well for daily driving. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder was discontinued in 2018.
The 365-horsepower turbocharged V-6 in the all-wheel-drive SHO model is a blast. It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in about five seconds, using a 6-speed paddle-shifting transmission and riding on a tuned suspension. All-wheel drive is standard on the SHO and optional on the Taurus SEL and Limited.
The V-6 gets 18 city, 27 highway and 21 combined miles per gallon with front-wheel drive, 2 less mpg with all-wheel drive. We drove more than 250 miles in an all-wheel-drive model and got nearly 20 mpg combined. The Taurus SHO gets about the same as the base Taurus with all-wheel drive, scoring 16/24/19 mpg.
The NHTSA gives the Taurus five stars overall in crash testing, with four stars in rollover.
The IIHS gives it top Good scores in every test except for just Acceptable in the driver-side small-overlap test, which simulates impact with an oncoming car on a two-lane road. The IIHS also rated the Taurus' headlights 'Poor.'?
Tellingly, the Taurus lacks optional automatic emergency braking-something standard on some competitors. .
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Retail Price
| Engine | 3.5L V-6 |
| MPG | Up to 18 city / 26 highway |
| Seating | 5 Passengers |
| Transmission | 6-spd w/OD |
| Power | 288 - 365 hp |
| Drivetrain | all wheel, front-wheel |
| Curb Weight | 3,917 - 4,327 lbs |
