2010 Ford Taurus San Diego CA

November 19, 2009   By Brian Alexander, Road Test Editor

2010 Ford Taurus

2010 Ford Taurus

DriverSide Overview
When the people at Ford make a move to reinvent the Taurus nameplate, you know they mean serious business. Let us not forget this is a car that was, for an extended run in the 90s, America’s best-selling sedan. That gives it a brand image within contemporary Americana that is as easily recognizable as Apple’s iPod or Kanye West’s Shutter Shades. Or MC Hammer pants if you want to go old school. And brand recognition is exactly why Ford is relaunching the Taurus as its flagship sedan. The marketeers reckon this is the perfect way to show North America what “New Ford” is all about – quality construction, plenty of tech and a sporting drive. While we agree with Ford’s new automotive philosophy, we’re not so sure the Taurus name brings with it the proper sense of revolution. But one step inside this new sedan and you won’t care what name they have slapped on the trunk. A plush, luxurious interior provides a great place to spend plenty of time, and convenient tech features like adaptive cruise control, voice-activated navigation and Ford’s ever-improving SYNC system make living with the new Taurus that much easier. From styling to technology, this is a modern American sedan that gets just about everything right.








What's to Like
Interior quality has risen leaps and bounds over the previous generation Taurus. Where hard plastics and dull styling cues once lingered you will now find soft-touch materials, plush leather, ice-blue backlighting and one of the industry’s top tech packages. At 20.1 cubic feet, the trunk is utterly cavernous.

What's Not to Like
The blind spot warning system has a tendency to detect objects on the side of the road, such as trees and posts. All-wheel drive is a welcome option, but at over 4,200 lbs the AWD version of the Taurus is no lightweight, as is evidenced by the mediocre fuel economy. Use of the Taurus name badge may present a perception barrier for some consumers – what was once a humdrum everyday sedan is now Ford’s four-door, luxury and tech-laden flagship. 

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Significant improvements have been made in efforts to lift the Taurus’ driving experience, and we’re glad to say they won’t go unnoticed. Removing some lift from front suspension and adding larger sway bars has resulted in more front-end feel and increased cornering confidence. The steering ratio is a bit long and inputs through tight bends will be long, sweeping efforts, but the helm fits the overall relaxed feel of the car well. Brakes and calipers have been upsized in the front to compliment larger calipers in the rear, though the squidgyness of the brake pedal remains a confidence-sapping nuisance. Ford has put a lot of effort into is...

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