Ford Taurus offers both interior, exterior improvements

The original Ford Taurus was a head turner. Its unique design brought Ford considerable praise for this innovative sedan that debuted in 1986.

Although the Taurus remained a good seller for more than a decade, it eventually fell out of favor and was unceremoniously dropped from the Ford lineup for 2007. The departure was short-lived.

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⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

Due to the struggling nature of the Five Hundred sedan, Ford decided in 2008 to call it the Taurus simply due to name recognition. Not a bad move, considering the “new” Taurus has been a much better seller.

The Taurus was remodeled two years ago and arrives in 2013 with some definite interior and exterior (new grille, wheels, front and rear lighting, front fascia) changes, plus adds a turbo engine.

2013 Ford Taurus

• Performance: 3.5-liter, V-6, XX horsepower
• Mileage estimate: 22-32 mpg
• Price: $26,600 to $33,000
• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain 5 years/60,000 miles; corrosion 5years/unlimited; roadside assistance 5 years/60,000 miles

There are some definite advantages to this year’s Taurus, including a stylish cabin, huge trunk (20.1 cubic feet), long list of standard features, and some other less notable changes.

The improvements should attract more car shoppers, but there are some drawbacks as well with the 2013 model, a big, heavy sedan. The front-wheel drive Taurus is a large sedan, yet it surprisingly still doesn’t provide the room and comfort one might expect in the back seat.

Another common complaint is the perplexing MyFord Touch screen. Nothing is real intuitive with this system, which will have many drivers frustratingly searching for buttons, trying to adjust the climate controls, or even master the entertainment controls.

Most people will enjoy the front-wheel Taurus powertrain, which features a refined 3.5-liter, V-6 with 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. Ford added 25 more horsepower and the powertrain is teamed with a standard six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is an option in the SEL and limited models.

For something different, the Taurus lineup now includes a turbo-charged 2.0-liter, four cylinder that generates 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A third option is
the Taurus SHO, which is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.

The Taurus offers a good handling for a car with its considerable size and weight. The steering gives the driver a confident feel and the Taurus handles itself well when making tight turns or navigating on curvy roads. The braking is strong and the ride is relatively quiet on most surfaces.

While Ford designed a classy looking cabin, there are some issues that can’t be overlooked. The MyFord Touch system and limited backseat are definitely two negatives. Another one is the thick roof pillars that limit visibility.

But the 2013 Ford Taurus does provide comfort and good leg room for driver and passenger, and it replaced much of its hard plastic that gave it a cheap quality.

There are dramatic improvements to the Taurus, making it a more logical pick among a crowded field of admirable rivals like the Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Maxima and several others. Ford’s flagship sedan offers a wide range of features and engine choices that can satisfy car buyers for various reasons.