MotorWeek "2008 Ford Taurus" Road Test

[HydraSperati]

I have one of these in the SEL body type in an aluminum color. It's very ballsy even with 103K on it. It's large size can mess with your head a little when you are parking, and the sync feature often has a hard time understanding you when you are screaming at it, but overall, I give it a 4.5 out of 5.

[VIRAJ818]

I think this car looks very smart and attractive. The design is simple, but not boring. The consumer reviews on this car are great. Overall a very reliable car.

[macktenful]

Did Any one else See the door keept trying to open

[pdennis93]

did anyone else notice the drivers door seems like it's trying to pop open during the slalom when filmed at the rear. specifically at 3:38

[hamer1of1light]

@pdennis93 i noticed after u mentioned it. thats great american engeneering

[subiedriver1990]

Anyone notice the front driver door flexing outward when the car is going through the slalom? Maybe a little flex in the chassis?

[EvilViolator124]

Just a Fancier Ford 500

[thebigsee]

I can't stand MotorWeek. They talk about every car they review like it's a Porsche or something, they sound like car salesmen.

[lfagius]

Then don't watch it.

[DJracerTT03]

I personally like how they review unlike some of the other car reviewers that nit-pick on every little thing.

[speed3003]

they quit making the mercury sable

[qwerty32987]

I'm so glad Ford has returned to the basics. Thank goodness they got away from the awful oval design of the 1996-2006 Taurus.

[ChadTaylorCanDoIt]

I like the Sable more in terms of design.

[takutaq]

GREAT CAR!!

[SteelCity1981]

Wait until the show the new Taurus SHO. You want to talk about a sucker punch to Toyota and Honda, they aren't going to know what hit them when that goes on sale.

[coandcaiv]

oh i am sure they will..they just wont give a shit..considering ford wants 40k LARGE..for their hopped up taurus...verdict - fail

[SteelCity1981]

John Davis may eat his wors when he said that the Taurus may never be the best selling car in America again, once the 2010 Taurus comes out.

[lfagius]

I agree. I saw the 2010 Taurus at the Detroit Auto Show last week - sweet.

[twawasthebest]

Im going to be the first person in my state to have one ive been saving for almost a year since i saw the leaked photo of the new taurus. i cant wait to see it in person im going today to see it in person

[macktenful]

@SteelCity1981I see This car Every Where

[Stevensz45]

wow. the 2010 taurus looks BEATIFUL it doesent even look like the same car.

[lfagius]

Yea, it's amazing, the transformation. Bravo Ford. Job well done.

[AdamAus85]

Pretty nice, but didn't like the look of the gear shift and surround.

Still I'd rather have a FG Ford Falcon with 4.0 I6.

[tbirderic]

The driver's door is definitely not closed all the way; the passenger side door does not move.

[mastazuki91]

the fusion should be the taurus and this isnt what you think of when you hear taurus

[redneon06]

It should have been built beeter in 95-99. The bubble was a lagging look. The 85-94 was big sharp and reliable. Thank goodness they have returned to the boxy , more upright stlyes! I think that it is very ellegant, and that Ford did a great job with redeeming the Taurus and Sable modles!

[ByteBin]

Front end looks vaguely like the older Tauruses before they went bubble-car (I own a '99 bubble and love it!) My neighbor has a 500 and that is a very HUGE car. Almost like a wagon or van (even though it's a sedan). Overall I like the styling though. Sharp.

[emforty2]

isnt this the Ford 500 that didn't sell and they changed the name so it will sell ?

My name is JOE im DUMB so i change my name to BOB to become smart !!

[seniorcat03]

its basically a redesigned 500. the best improvement is in the engine/tranny where my 01 taurus ses was ok with but the 500 was too much car with the old V6 (500 shared the older Duratec 30 24V V6 rated @200hp/203tq). thankfully its a much better car now...

[palebeachbum]

I like this new Taurus. I just hope it's a hell of a lot more dependable than any previous generation of Taurus. Can someone please tell me why in the world Ford is now using tiny gauges with tach and speedo placed as far apart as possible? I hate these new gauges!

[CARFANATIC552]

I wouldn't compare a taurus to an A6..

[CeeStyleDj]

I really wish they woudl of kept the "500" name.. If I bought one, I'd add a 500 elblem to it.

[palebeachbum]

I'm undecided on the looks. The rear is decent looking, but rather bland and generic. Front is very unique and cutting edge, but too characterless and bland in shape. Interior on the other hand I think is gorgeous. I love the compromise in style between angular and curvy. I welcome all the fake wood and chrome trim. Really classes up the interior. The backseat is huge. Sat in one. I did notice that it looked a bit cheap though. The doors sounded flimsy and plastics looked a bit cheap.

[SteelCity1981]

The problem with this new Taurus is that it looks too much like the slow selling 500 that it replaced. Sure it has a new face and new taillamps but other then, that and a more powerful engine, it's not anything to brag about.

Wait until the 2011 Taurus comes out, now that's going to put Taurus back on the map.

[idkmyusername86]

Taurus has better interior room than the A6. A8 has more hip and shoulder room, Taurus has more leg room. Again, Taurus's trunk is just right for your 12's to go boom boom boom with the bass.

[netcong2]

I like the exterior of the car, it is little similar to Audi A6 but i am sure that this one is better and cheaper.

[lfagius]

Yes, the A8 is a luxury sedan, and the Taurus is a mainstream family car, but with $4 a gallon looming just over the horizon, Taurus's superior EPA ratings are not a minor difference either.

[lfagius]

Taurus has better interior room than the A6. A8 has more hip and shoulder room, Taurus has more leg room. Again, Taurus's trunk is far larger than either.

Quality of the Ford Taurus has just about matched it's Japanese rivals and exceeded most the Europeans, at least through the first 40,000 miles of ownership.

[coreydl2008]

That door looks horrible! I think its kinda a flimsy car, and the interior needs updated already. Too much of a Grand Marquis look.

[illitero]

Haha, the driver's side door keeps poking out from the weight of the driver during the slalom. That looks REAL safe...

And for the argument going on, Lexus and Toyota are the same. Lexus is just a luxury division of toyota. The lexus IS300 here in the states is a Toyota Altezza in Japan. People can consider them different because of the luxury fact, but that still doesn't stop lexus' from being toyotas.

[Mieden]

The door...LOL

[lightningcount123]

its transferring the energy around, "LOL"

[lawnmowerdude]

Nice.

[frankleroux]

I don't understand Ford to bring that boring car to compete with Mazda6 and Honda Accord, good for them if U.S. customers will buy it, but it's gonna be a flop here in Canada.

[lfagius]

There's nothing boring about the Taurus, and for some people, the Mazda6 and the Accord aren't big enough.

[KNOWITALL3000]

it is ugly but 263 hp

[emiblash19]

ugly ugly ugly!

[lfagius]

2008 Taurus is a good looking car. Looks a damn sight better than anything Toyota or Honda is offering, and built better.

[zeesham13]

thats car right because here in england these are most common!

[buzman1985]

its attractive.

[jet79637]

I like this car. My mother owns a 2000 and I drove it today and it feels super smooth. I would purchse one in a few years as soon as the price comes down. 263 hp that's a respectible rating.

[32silvercoins]

I think americans would be foolish to pass this car up...Its bigger then avalon its closest real threat and the taurus has gotton higher quality and crash test scores..I know the avalon has a better look and feel cause its a lexus without the badge but its 40 grand and the taurus is 33 7 grand cheaper for pretty much the same car

[02Steeda]

the avalon is not a lexus without the badge...Lexus cars are toyotas with a Lexus badge...remember lexus is a line of toyota like the scion....

[32silvercoins]

Not so

The Lexus us RWD for most of there cars and Toyota uses FWD ---Yeah most of there SUVS use the same platform but its not incorrect to call the avalon a lexus wannabe

[02Steeda]

Lexus = Toyota ? try and correct me which you cant...no1 is calling it a wannabe as u say...but buying a Lexus is buying a Toyota same for Scion...period

[32silvercoins]

Not really

When you buy a LS460 Your getting such a amazing car that not even the germans can match in quality and engernering

The LS460 has a 8 speed gearbox Thats pretty awsome

I do agree that some of the Lexus products are a lil to close to toyotas for comfort but most of them are pure Lexus

[02Steeda]

lexus is toyota what are you talking about

[32silvercoins]

I consider them seprate brands

Lexus is owned by toyota and it was created by Toyota but Lexus has a few of its own special models

Lexus is more independent then say Infinti or Acura

[02Steeda]

Lexus = Toyota period...theres a difference between the fact and your opinion...and I would think they have different models and in style because u are paying more for some reason...either way it still using a chassi and motor from toyota...just cosmetics are being changed as well as little extras

[32silvercoins]

Lexus=Lexus lol

Does any other toyta have a 8speed gearbox no

Does Toyota have the kind of hybrid models that Lexus has no

80percent of Lexus product is RWD and Most of Toyota is what FWD so as you can see The only thing really connecting the two is the fact that Toyta created Lexus

[02Steeda]

u just said it ur self...toyota created lexus...so lexus = toyota...why else do they have the same motors at times ? or when u look under the hood and behind panels u find the toyota name and logo ? all it is is a higher class of their line up thats it......u dont see a toyota model replicate a Scion Xb or TC...different branch to adapt to different styles same maker

[Mieden]

Actually, Lexus became its own brand in '06 I believe. Although they are a 100% subsidiary of Toyota, all Lexus vehicles now use "Lexus" stamped components with a different part number, under a different company. Even if the part is identical.

[lightningcount123]

they were always their own brand, just the luxury division of toyota, same as acura to honda.

[Mieden]

You're right, I meant company instead of brand.

[Watcher3223]

Lexus and Scion are divisions of Toyota.

This is about the same as Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, et al. are subsidiaries of Ford.

So, buying a Lexus is buying a Toyota in the same vein that buying a Lincoln is buying a Ford. My question: so, what?

Although there are differences; Ford does a lot of platform sharing across its divisions while Lexus has many platforms exclusive to that marque. The Lexus LS series is unique while the Ford CD3 platform is used with the Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ and MKX.

[Watcher3223]

In addition, let's say you like Audi or Bentley and buy only one of those cars.

Would it bother you to hear that you own a Volkswagen because Audi AND Bentley are divisions of the Volkswagen Group.

[02Steeda]

exactly...i have a VW i have a Mustang...I know other companies are no different just a different shell on the outside...all the same damn thing different price and more options...cars are cars...pull them apart and behind the dash its all the steel and metal like nething else...just behind the panels is like nething else

[Watcher3223]

The only difference is how everything goes together.

Some ways are excellent.

Some ways are good.

Some ways serve the purpose, but doesn't do it very well.

Some ways make you wonder just what in the hell they were thinking.

[zo0yoRk69]

the Taurus has come along way from the old one. it might work its way back up to being the best selling sedan, hopefully. ford has dropped a couple notches in the last couple years but i think ford can make it back to the top. i saw an article that said ford is now 2nd in the USA with toyota 1st cause of the camry.

[dream4real]

Is it just me or do the doors try to open during the slalom test?

[lfagius]

You must be seeing things. I watched it another three times and I have no idea what you're talking about.

[dream4real]

Hey ifagius, look at 3:37 at the slalom test that take from the back, look at the driver's door, now I'm sure, I'm kind of "feaky" ehem "picky" about cars, and as you can see pay lots of atention to details...

[KobeTheDog]

I see it....that is really freaky. I think its more likely an optical illusion caused by poor panel gaps, but I definitely see what you're talking about.

[dream4real]

yES, THAT MUST BE IT, BUT WHAT ABOUT CHASSIS RIGIDITY..., DOES IT AFFECT IT IN ANY WAY?

[pokeeto2]

Actually, It seems the driver didn't close the door all the way. It's happend to me with different cars. You can see that this doesn't happen to the passenger door since it wasn't open.

Jeeze, noy car manufacturer would make a car with doors that pop on corners.

[dadorde]

claro pero no seas pendejo esta mas que obvio que el realizador del test no cero bien la puerta, utiliza el sentido comun, en la actualidad ningun auto tendria este tipo de fallas, imbecil!!!!

[ningh]

No I see it too. It's definately an optical illusion.

[ventgr77]

looks to me like it really isn't shut all the way.

[emedee45]

Quite right. It's clear that the door isn't shut all the way, as it moves back and forth. But this could not be a defect. No car could be loose enough to let a door move that much unless the door isn't latched. I've rented the new Taurus a number of times and they are as solid as anything you can buy. Just a poorly closed door.