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2012 Ford Taurus Manchester

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Other than freshened styling, the 2012 Ford Taurus is unchanged.  The Taurus is impressive, well-equipped and extremely competent, a charismatic full-size sedan that could establish Ford as America's premier auto manufacturer. It is powered with a Duratec V6, delivering a generous 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque.  At the top of the 2011 Taurus line is the high-performance Taurus SHO, with a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 rated at 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.  Dramatically different and advanced in comparison with the previous version, the Taurus offers brisk performance, precise and reassuring handling, lavish comfort, and a comprehensive occupant-safety package.  Ford refers to Taurus's world-car styling as emotive and bold. Its looks have magnetism and a sleekly contemporary appearance designed to win owners who take seriously how they appear to the outside world.  This is a car to be seen in.  The Taurus is packed with innovative technology and electronics, beneficial driver-assistance provisions, and safety packages that outstrip import sedans costing half again more. Among these packages are comprehensive warning systems programmed to alert the driver to obstacles front, side and rear, a boon in crowded parking lots. A brilliant adaptive cruise control system lets the driver relax on the highway, while it automatically controls the gap to the car ahead.

Interior Features of the 2012 Ford Taurus

Inside, the Ford Taurus is roomy, comfortable, and quiet. The dashboard takes an unusual form. Its upper surface is a broad, downward-curving shape that behaves almost like a sunshade over the dash's cascade of equipment and gauges. The gauges have a fresh, modern look, and all instrument lights are fully lit at all times. This is important, because so many cars dim their instruments in daylight, enough so that in high sun, the gauges and readouts are unreadable. For this bright decision, give Ford an A-plus. The Taurus is fully equipped with the usual Ford interconnectivity. Sirius Satellite with Travel Link provides a broad range of information about the environment, everything from weather radar to gas prices to movie start times.  Onboard radar gives you collision warning on the road when you are getting too close to a car ahead of you, then automatically executes full braking force the instant you step on the brake pedal. Similarly, it warns you when a car is in your blind spot on multi-lane roads, preventing lane-change accidents. And, backing out of a spot in a parking lot, the car warns you if any car is approaching from the rear or either side, or if a child or small object is behind where you can't see it.  Adaptive cruise control lets you set your speed in highway traffic while it measures your distance to cars ahead and automatically slows to prevent a collision. Then, when your way ahead is clear, the cruise control automatically returns you to your programmed cruising speed.  The climate-control system is vigorous and more than adequate, and the optional Sony 12-speaker audio is superb. In addition, an available CD Jukebox system allows storage of over 100 CDs. The controls switchgear was uniformly excellent, with a luxurious soft touch that connotes luxury. 

Exterior Features of the 2012 Ford Taurus

The signature three-bar grille on the Taurus wraps around to sleek, swept-back headlamp complexes. The expression on this car's face is a wry glint that says this car knows what it'sdoing.  At the rear, the car's lines feature another pair of sleek lamp complexes, tied together with a gleaming horizontal chrome strip. On the Taurus SHO, the upper lip of the trunk is adorned with a spoiler; with the speed the SHO can generate, the added downforce is appropriate.  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.

Driving Impressions of the 2012 Ford Taurus

Power from the 263-horsepower 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. And there is no awkward sudden throttle tip-in here.  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.  Large four-wheel disc brakes bring the Taurus to a powerful halt. Admirable.

Model Lineup

The 2011 Ford Taurus comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6, 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

Taurus 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, and 17-inch wheels.

Taurus SEL adds paddle shifters for the 6-speed automatic, 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, and anti-theft perimeter alarm. The 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, and 19-inch chromed aluminum wheels. The Taurus Limited AWD adds all-wheel drive.

Options include voice-activated navigation with Sirius Travel Link, adaptive cruise control, leather-trimmed seats for SEL, multi-contoured front seats, rear window power sunshade, auto high beam headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, power moonroof, cargo organizer, remote start, all-weather floor mats, 12-speaker Sony audio, and adjustable pedals with memory.

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, and leather steering wheel with perforated insert. The SHO Performance Package includes performance brake pads, EPAS-calibrated steering, ECS Track Mode/True Off, 3.16:1 final drive ratio, and 20-inch painted wheels with 245/45YR20 performance summer tires.

Conclusions

The Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan that should make Detroit proud of itself once more. This is a mature, comprehensively engineered, and lavishly equipped world car. And its faster version, the SHO, is one of the great performance sedans of the day.  If you are in the market for a new car, this should definitely be on your shopping list.  Click here to learn about the 2012 Ford Taurus.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com