2011 Ford Taurus Review

Although the 2011 Ford Taurus can hardly be called exciting, it's a big improvement over the pre-2010 version. The 2011 Ford Taurus moves off the line smartly with its 3.5-liter V-6, making 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. The Ford Taurus SHO benefits from a lot more power, but it's a little less transformational than in past SHO Ford Taurus sedans—in part because the SHO puts the power to the road with such stoicism and a lack of pulse-raising excitement. Front seats in the Ford Taurus are a little constrained by the large console, though it has great room for tall drivers. The Taurus is strong on safety. The Taurus SHO also offers an optional rearview camera.

The long list of standard features on the 2011 Ford Taurus means even base versions are well-equipped. The "Ford Taurus SE" gets an AM/FM/CD player with MP3 playback; tilt/telescope steering; a 60/40 split-folding rear seat; a power driver seat; and power locks, windows, and mirrors.

Only minor equipment changes are in store for the 2011 Ford Taurus. The Limited and SHO models gain a standard rearview camera, while Sync–equipped models receive a complimentary three-year subscription to the new Traffic, Directions and Information service.

The 2011 Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan that seats five people. It is available in SE, SEL, Limited and SHO trim levels. Standard equipment on the SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry with an access keypad, cruise control, a six-way power driver seat (manual recline), a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, steering-wheel audio controls and a six-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack.

The SEL adds 18-inch wheels, automatic transmission paddle shifters, heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and satellite radio. The 2011 Ford Taurus is powered by a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard with this engine and all-wheel drive is available on SEL and Limited trim levels. All-wheel drive drops it to 17/25/20.

The Ford Taurus SHO features a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Every SHO is all-wheel drive. Despite its impressive output, estimated fuel economy is the same as the regular all-wheel-drive Ford Taurus.

Safety
Every 2011 Ford Taurus comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Optional safety features include a blind-spot warning system, pre-collision warning system, a cross-traffic warning system (when reversing) and rear parking sensors. A rearview camera is standard on Limited and SHO models and optional on the SEL.

Ford also launched performance-oriented SHO EcoBoost model.
Lightning can strike twice, said Peter Horbury, Ford's North American design director. "Like the 1986 original, the new Ford Taurus differentiates by combining style with substance.

Ford Taurus features a long list of high-tech features, including: Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning, Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, MyKey parental programmability, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, Rain-Sensing Wipers, EasyFuel capless refueling, Ford SYNC and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link.