2008 Ford Taurus Review
Back From a Hiatus with a Redesigned Model
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After a year’s hiatus, the Taurus, a family sedan from Ford was brought back to replace the unsuccessful Ford Five Hundred. The Taurus has always been a market winner, and when the Taurus was brought back for 2008, it was improved in every aspect. The 2008 Ford Taurus is actually quite a bit better looking than the Five Hundred, and it has an absolutely huge cabin space. The Taurus is the largest vehicle in its segment and it received four five-star safety ratings for front, rear, side and rollover crashworthiness. To sum of the Taurus; it's big inside, big outside, and it's taller than almost every other sedan on the market with its big bubble roof, all translating into space that today’s family needs. The 2008 Taurus has a starting MSRP of $23,635 - $29,470 and an estimated fuel economy range of 28 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg through the city. Some improvements for the 2008 model include a new 263 hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and six speed automatic transmission for improved power and fuel economy, a new chrome grille, new tail lamps and rear fascia, new chrome exterior accents and mirrors, better sound insulation, and revisions to the suspension.
Taurus Power
The Taurus gets a new powertrain, a V-6 which teams with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front and all-wheel-drive models are offered for the ’08 Taurus. The Taurus can tow up to 1,000 pounds when properly equipped. The new V6, which is a 3.5-liter, replaced a much weaker engine and it gets 30 percent more power. It's the same engine that powers the larger and heavier Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers and MKZ luxury cars.
Driving the Taurus
Driving down the highway, one will find the Taurus to be very quiet inside. The engine is extremely quiet and smooth at idle; and it sounds healthy, powerful and smooth at full throttle. With traction control and optional AdvanceTrac electronic stability control, the computers take over whenever you try to do anything that might put the car out of control. The steering is accurate, with good feedback, and not overly assisted in normal and highway driving.
Inside the ’08 Ford Taurus
There is room for five occupants in the ’08 Taurus. The biggest highlight for the Taurus’ interior is the sheer size of the space inside the car, 108 cubic feet inside, with a 21 cubic-foot trunk. The Motorola Sync system offers integration with all Bluetooth-enabled phones and music players, including iPods, via electronic and USB 2.0 connections. Sync will be offered on Taurus for 2008. The Taurus by far has the largest interior in the class at 129 cubic feet total. Folding the rear seat expands the already large 21.2-cubic-foot truck, and the front passenger seat can fold flat to carry cargo up to 9 feet long inside the car. Every piece in the interior, the instruments, controls, shifter, seats, console, and dashboard, has been redesigned, with a more luxurious feel and lots more chrome trim here and there.
Taurus Design
The 2008 Ford Taurus is a stylish vehicle and much better then the Five Hundred. There are two trims available, the SEL and Limited. There is also a crossover version of the Taurus called the Taurus X. For the 2008 model year the fresh new look includes a contemporary design for the grille, with new, quieter mirrors, gigantic new headlamp units, big driving lamps under the new bumpers, with necessary changes to the hood and fenders. Decorative, nonfunctional gills have been added to the front fenders to add visual interest and take up some space on the huge fenders. The sides remain mostly unchanged, but the Limited trim level gets chrome side vents, door handles and mirrors. SEL models come standard with 17-inch aluminum wheels, Limited trims get 18-inch aluminum rims, and 18-inch chrome wheels are optional.
Safety Features
The new Taurus has been awarded a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). All-disc antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags are standard. Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability system is optional.
Summary
Take the interior space of an SUV and the handling of a sedan and you have got the 2008 Ford Taurus. Its affordable, reliable, and operates from every angle with ease. With a new, more powerful engine and high safety rating the Taurus is perfect for a daily commuter or even a family vehicle. The Taurus X offers the qualities of the Taurus with the size of a wagon or SUV. And considering the interior, engine, transmission and standard features upgrades from the ’07 Five Hundred, the Taurus goes only for about $250 more. Read a Motor Trend Ford Taurus review for more information.
