• Ford

Dewey Ford

3055 SE Delaware Ave
Ankeny, IA 50021

  • Sales: (877) 704-6793
  • Service: (877) 704-6786
  • Parts: (877) 704-6794

2011 Ford Taurus Review

"All in all, my experience with this dealership was excellent, from the initial online request for car financing to the very last moment when we drove our new car off of the Dewey lot. We encountered hassle free service with respect to every facet of the process, and our sales representative, Bradly Miles, was an absolute pleasure to work with.." 9/5/2011
2011 Ford Taurus Review


     

When Ford restyled the Taurus in 2010, the full size sedan got an aggressive new look inside and out, but didn't really alter the size of a car that traces its basic chassis to the 2005 Ford Five Hundred. For 2011, three new colors have been added, and high definition (HD) radio has been added to the navigation system. Taurus is among the largest cars on the road and is in fact longer overall than the seven-passenger Ford Flex crossover SUV. But a relatively low roofline, bulging hood, and Mustang-inspired cockpit position it as a car Ford hopes will appeal to drivers who believe a big sedan conveys an image of sporty power, not necessarily family car practicality. That concept is amped to the max in the high-performance 2011 Ford Taurus SHO. EPA Fuel Economy comes in at 17 ? 18 mpg for city, and 25 ? 28 mpg for highway. The 2011 Ford Taurus has a starting MSRP of $25,170 ? $37,770.
     
     
     

     

2011 Taurus Power and Drive

     The 2011 Ford Taurus carries over with a 3.5-liter V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is rated at 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque, and the transmission includes manual-shift steering-wheel paddles in all but the base-model Taurus SE. The midline 2011 Taurus SEL and top- line 2011 Taurus Limited models are available with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an alternative to the standard front-wheel drive. Every 2011 Taurus comes with Ford?s AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control that combines traction control, antilock four-wheel disc brakes, and an antiskid system. Taurus has satisfying handling and top-notch ride quality. The Taurus SHO with its 360-plus-horsepower twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 provides additional boost of power for those looking for performance. The Ford Taurus is a satisfying family sedan on the road. It is not fast by street-racing standards, but it is by no means underpowered, either. For daily driving and the commuting, it more than holds its own. Power from the 263-hp 3.5-liter Duratec V6 is smooth, progressive and entirely suitable for daily transportation. It's even been exhaust-tuned to deliver a satisfying little growl under acceleration, confirming to the driver that this is a serious road car. Taurus ride quality is nicely damped and comfortable. It transmits information from the road accurately to keep the driver informed, but it soaks up road irregularities skillfully. And taken through a series of corners, the Taurus exhibits only moderate roll. It feels well planted and ready for your next move at any instant.  


     Design of the New Ford Taurus

New Ford TaurusThe 2011 Taurus is a thoroughly American design, yet it owes almost nothing to the long, ponderous line of over-styled American sedans of the past. Its styling is exciting and chic, more than a match for any foreign competitors in its price class or even for competitors that cost a good deal more. All models have aluminum wheels. The SE comes with 17-inch tires, the SEL with 18s; 19s are standard on the Limited and optional on the SEL. The signature three-bar grille on the Taurus wraps around to sleek, swept-back headlamp complexes. The side panels are muscular and handsomely sculpted, while the side profile shows a distant similarity to the currently fashionable Audi family. At the rear, the car's lines feature another pair of sleek lamp complexes, tied together with a gleaming horizontal chrome strip. Particularly in the upper reaches of the model line, handsome wheels bring the Taurus's profile brightly to life. In the Limited and SHO versions, big 19-inch wheels and tires give the Taurus a resolutely competitive look.    


2011 Ford Taurus Cabin

Between options and standard equipment that escalates as you ascend the line, the 2011 Ford Taurus presents an impressive balance of comfort, infotainment, and safety features. Among comfort features are heated and cooled front seats -- even front seats with air bladders that inflate and deflate to massage your back. For information and entertainment there?s voice-activated navigation, Ford?s popular Microsoft-developed Sync hands-free link to real-time traffic and other satellite-delivered data, and iPod USB and Bluetooth connectivity. This is a roomy car. In the matter of interior volume, the Taurus earns its standing as a full-size sedan, delivering total passenger volume of 102.2 cu.ft. It's big on the outside, too, though its deft styling makes it seem slightly less so. All in all, the Taurus interior is generous, comfortable, extremely quiet and pleasing to be aboard.

     

2011 Taurus Lineup       

2011 Ford TaurusTaurus SE comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning manually controlled with air filter, six-way driver seat, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with six speakers, three auxiliary power points, message center with trip computer, programmable performance-limiting key, illuminated visor mirrors, power windows with driver one-touch up/down, black exterior mirrors, rear window defroster, capless fuel filler, chrome exhaust tips, halogen headlamps with automatic windshield wiper activation, remote keyless entry, keyless entry keypad, floor mats, 17-inch wheels.
     

     Taurus SEL adds six-speed paddle shifters, body-color heated exterior mirrors, 18-inch wheels, Sirius Satellite Radio, message center with trip computer and compass, auto-dimming mirror, leather-wrapped shifter knob and steering wheel, anti-theft perimeter alarm. Taurus SEL AWD is equipped the same but includes all-wheel drive.
     

     Taurus Limited upgrades with leather-trimmed seats with 10-way power in both front seats, driver seat memory, leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood inlay, woodgrain applique, SYNC hands-free communications and entertainment, 6CD changer, universal garage opener, global-open window controls, chrome mirrors and taillamps, ambient interior lighting, cargo net, mirror with microphone, reverse sensing system, 19-inch chromed aluminum wheels. Limited AWD adds all-wheel drive.
     
     
Taurus SHO features a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, all-wheel drive, electric power-assist steering, sports suspension, high-intensity discharge headlamps, rear spoiler, 19-inch premium wheels, door-trim color matched to seats, SHO floor mats, push-button start, aluminum pedals, leather seats with Miko suede inserts, leather steering wheel with perforated insert. The SHO Performance Package ($995) includes performance brake pads, EPAS-calibrated steering, ECS Track Mode/True Off, 3.16 final drive ratio, 20-inch painted wheels with 245/45YR20 performance summer tires.
     


     Conclusions

     

For safety features, Ford?s Collision Warning with Brake Support uses radar to sense if the Taurus is closing too quickly on the vehicle ahead. Designed to prevent low-speed rear-end collisions, it first projects a warning on the windshield, then begins to apply the brakes to shorten stopping distance. Also optional is Ford?s Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert (BLIS). This also uses radar to detect and warn of vehicles in over-the-shoulder blind spots and in proximity when you?re backing from a parking space. For the latest updates on this model, visit the official Ford Taurus site. Ford is betting strongly on the success of the new Ford Taurus, and rightfully so. This American sedan stands up tall to imported vehicles, it is stylish, roomy and well appointed on the inside, and handles beautifully. Furthermore, for those wanting extra speed and power, the available SHO model is impressive. For another look, read a 2011 Ford Taurus review by Left Lane News.