2008 Ford Taurus Flowery Branch GA

November 18, 2009   By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor



2008 Ford Taurus

DriverSide Overview
You can look at the all-new 2008 Ford Taurus in two ways. It can be praised for its incredible redesign from its former life as the Ford Five Hundred, complete with an updated interior and exterior, a more powerful V-6 and 500 other changes to the dated model of yore. The dramatic transformation is akin to that of the new Chevrolet Malibu’s and surprises buyers who expect all things yawn-inducing. On the other hand, you may still find yourself stifling a yawn or two when comparing it to competitors like the Chrysler 300 and the Honda Accord . The ride, strengthened by the upgraded engine, is still lacking and the interior fails to deliver a “wow” factor. However, there are some features that might tickle your fancy: the Taurus sports incredibly comfortable seats and room for five people who really want to spread out. It’s also carrying Ford’s baby: SYNC, the hands-free communication and entertainment system. So like most comparisons, it’s all relative.








What's to Like
The most critical judge will love the huge, well-bolstered seats and extra inches of legroom – this car is built for spry mid-westerners. Crisp transmission shifts give the heavy car a sportier feel, and handling is nice and tight. The IIHS pronounced the Taurus as a Top Safety Pick for 2008.

What's Not to Like
No telescoping function for the steering wheel, and the cheap looking wheel was dug up from the Focus parts bin. Wood grain trim, while pretty, won’t appeal to the younger set of buyers.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Contrary to the Taurus’ translated name, the sedan is about as far from bull-like as you can get. There’s nary an aggressive movement and the drive is far from stubborn. This is precisely, despite naming it so, as Ford designed it to be. Those of us interested in the Taurus want a soft, cushioned ride that glides gently over bumps instead of charging through them. However, the ride does become a bit too floaty at times, resulting in a detached drive experience. A fair amount of body roll appears when making quick turns, and coming to a stop harkens back to squat and drive of yesteryear. Steering is happily precise; we found direction changes to be accomplished successfully. Hills reveal the heft of the car, but prompt transmission shifts when the foot nudges the throttle ease the Taurus through underpowered situations.

Engine and Drivetrain
A 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 engine powers all trims of the Taurus and pulls the sedan along with 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels or all four wheels if you choose to add AWD as an option.

Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
As an IIHS top safety pick, you’d expect good things in terms of standard safety features. ...

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