2008 Ford Taurus X Review
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Ford axed several of its slow selling models in 2008, and replaced them with new and improved one is hopes of regaining the market. While the Five Hundred sedan and its Mercury Montego twin became the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, respectively, the Freestyle wagon became the Taurus X. The Taurus X fits into the product lineup above the five-seater Ford Edge crossover SUV that's built on the same platform as the Fusion, and under the Ford Flex. Changes between the Freestyle and the Taurus X include a new grille that resembles those on Ford's Fusion sedan and restyled 2008 Focus, as well as an updated interior and a more powerful V-6. Like the Explorer SUV, the Taurus X also offers an upscale Eddie Bauer edition. Like the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans, the Taurus X is loosely based on the same architecture as the Volvo S80 luxury sedan and Volvo XC90 SUV and it uses the same Swedish Haldex all-wheel-drive system as the Volvo on AWD versions. Overall, the interior ambience is modern, nicely laid out and, the materials are reasonably good throughout. The well-crafted seats, panels and other accommodations have a quality feel, as do the instruments, controls, shifter, seats, console, and dashboard. The Taurus X is designed to compete with the Nissan Murano, Mitsubishi Outlander, Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook, and GMC Acadia, among others.
Taurus X Power
The 2008 Taurus X gets a new powertrain and it makes the 2008 Ford Taurus X a whole lot more fun to drive than the Freestyle crossover was. The 3.5-liter engine and six-speed double-overdrive automatic transmission in the Ford Taurus X have really put some performance in the package. The new engine makes more power, and accelerates the vehicle much quicker (Ford says up to 44 percent quicker), but it also gets about 10 percent better fuel economy, even after adjusting for the new, stricter 2008 fuel economy rules that the EPA is using for fuel economy numbers on the window sticker.
Driving the ’08 Taurus X
The Taurus X offers a quiet and smooth driving experience. A pendulum mounting system separates motions and vibrations of the engine from the rest of the car. The Ford vehicle has pretty good steering feel for a family hauler, with plenty of steering assist for easy driving around town and decreasing assist at highway speeds so it doesn't wander or get sloppy.
Ford Taurus X Design
The Taurus X gets a large three-bar horizontal grille that is designed to fit in with the Ford family look of the Focus, Fusion, Edge, and Flex. The taillamps, rear quarter panels and decklid have been redone, and the rear bumper has been changed to feature exposed dual exhaust tips. The roof rack has been strengthened and reinforced to carry more load. In an attempt to draw closer similarities to the Edge SUV, the Taurus X includes scalloped headlights and Ford's newly adopted three-blade grille.
Inside the Taurus X
The 2008 Ford Taurus X cabin has a light and airy feel. Inside are bucket seats front and rear, each with center consoles, offering roomy accommodations for four, while large windows everywhere lend an open feeling. A variety of seating configurations can accommodate up to seven. The optional second-row captain's chairs recline and adjust fore and aft; they flip forward with a single lever to provide access to the third row, which is tight at best.
Cargo capacity is generous, with a 15 cubic-foot space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row with the third-row seats folded, and 86 cubic feet with all the seats folded down. The power liftgate makes loading easy. And the Taurus X has a relatively low load height when compared with other crossover SUVs, which makes loading and unloading heavy objects easier. The second-row seats slide fore and aft and recline for an extra measure of flexibility. The Taurus X features the Sync system, which offers integration with all Bluetooth-enabled phones and music players, including iPods, via electronic and USB 2.0 connections. The Sync system has the ability to have text messages read aloud, voice recognition for control of both phone and music functions, and phonebook transfer. The Taurus X is quiet.
2008 Taurus X Lineup
The 2008 Ford Taurus X comes in three models and each offers all-wheel-drive versions: SEL, Eddie Bauer, and Limited. SEL comes with cloth upholstery, manually controlled air conditioning, AM/FM/CD, six-way adjustable driver's seat, power windows, power locks, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.
The Eddie Bauer edition adds leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic temperature control, power adjustable pedals, 6CD, front consoles, eight-way adjustable driver's seat with memory, woodgrain applique trim. Eddie Bauer carries a distinctive two-tone paint job, plus 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and tires, wiper-activated headlamps, and Eddie Bauer logos inside and out.
Limited adds premium audio system with subwoofer, second-row consoles, chrome interior trim, auto tilt-down in reverse for outside mirror, heated front seats.
Conclusions
Safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, ABS and traction control. Taurus X has been awarded five-star ratings in all four crash categories and a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). All-wheel drive is optional. LATCH child seat anchors and rear safety locks are standard. The Ford Taurus X is a much better vehicle than the outgoing Freestyle. The space, and use of space, is excellent. Taurus X is a solid crossover SUV, it's practical and it's affordable. Loaded with navigation, satellite radio and the DVD entertainment system, the Taurus X is a really good at both long and short trips for the family.
