Overview
The Ford Taurus has been around for quite a long time, and in that time, it’s morphed from a mainstream midsize sedan into a full-size model that is now one of the best examples of the breed. The Taurus is a spacious and comfortable sedan, but it also ticks the important boxes of fuel efficiency and technology.
The 2017 Ford Taurus is a four-door, five-seat full-size sedan. It’s available in four trim levels, priced starting from $27,345.* Entry models are impressively equipped with an exterior keyless-access keypad, SYNC® voice controls, rearview camera, and more, while higher trim levels offer additional comfort and convenience features to make your daily drive extraordinary.
The Perfect Ride for…
Anyone who wants to drive a “classic” American sedan with old-school style but modern amenities. The Taurus also offers a significant degree of variation across its four trims, including the luxurious Taurus Limited and the sporty Taurus SHO, so it’s easy to find a model that suits your particular driving needs.
Drive & Handling
The standard Taurus engine is a stout 3.5-liter V6 that produces 288 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. With front-wheel drive, the V6 Taurus gets an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway), while all-wheel drive models get 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway).**
Heading in the direction of greater fuel economy, Ford also offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® four-cylinder engine. Like the V6, this engine is offered only with a six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive is mandatory in this case as well. The payoff is an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway).**
If performance is more your thing, take a look at the Taurus SHO. Ford has offered sporty versions of the Taurus under the SHO (Super High Output) name for generations, and the 2017 Taurus SHO carries on the tradition. It packs a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 with 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. That power goes to the ground through a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Key Features
SYNC® 3
The successor to the MyFord Touch system used in the previous-generation Taurus and various other Ford models, SYNC® 3 boasts a more streamlined layout, more responsive touchscreen display, and more intuitive voice commands. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to connect and control your smartphone directly through the 8-inch central touchscreen.
BLIS® with Cross-Traffic Alert
The available BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert detects vehicles entering your blind spot via radar and then alerts you through an indicator light in the side-view mirror. Cross-traffic alert provides additional peace of mind by using radar to detect traffic behind you when backing up. The system will alert you with an auditory warning, visual display, and signal in the message center.
Alternative Options
The Fusion midsize sedan gets a number of updates for 2017, including revised styling and a new V6 Sport model. With fuel-efficient powertrains, sporty driving dynamics, and styling, the Fusion stands out in a crowded segment. The Escape is a compact crossover that offers versatility and functionality while maintaining responsive road handling and maneuverability.
Gallery
*Starting MSRP excludes destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration. Optional equipment not included. Starting A, Z and X Plan price is for qualified, eligible customers and excludes document fee, destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration. Not all vehicles qualify for A, Z or X Plan. All Mustang Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT350R prices exclude gas guzzler tax.
**EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.
Image Credit: [OEM]
