2008 Ford Taurus

Ford's original Taurus sedan and wagon, launched in 1985 as '86 models, were a revelation. Compared to the bland, boring, often quality-challenged entries occupying other domestic showrooms at the time, they (and their Mercury Sable platform mates) burst onto the scene with ground-breaking looks, reasonably athletic dynamics and a new "Quality Is Job One" corporate attitude that was more than an advertising slogan.

Making History

Not everyone warmed to their styling right away, but enough people did and they were soon runaway hits. Taurus became Motor Trend's Car of the Year in 1986, Ford's best-selling vehicle by 1987 and the country's best-selling car by 1992—a crown it proudly wore for five straight seasons. Not surprisingly, the Taurus success story was a major factor in reversing Ford's financial fortunes from seriously ill in the mid-1980s to seriously profitable by decade's end. An improved Taurus (and Sable) unveiled in 1995 carried ovoid design over the top, inside and out, and sales began to slip. The top-selling passenger-car crown changed heads (to Honda's Accord) in 1997 and Taurus/Sable's fortunes began to fade.


For 2008, the Taurus name returns and is paired with a freshened vehicle that delivers upon the essence of the Taurus brand. With bolder styling, significant quietness, content and safety upgrades, a much more powerful engine and a smooth six-speed automatic replacing the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), it is the next best thing to a whole new car. Ford says the '08 Taurus boasts over 600 improvements: 600 engineering upgrades, and the Taurus brand name. At the same time, Volvo platform-based sibling Ford Freestyle crossover and cousin Mercury Montego sedan become Taurus X and (surprise!) Mercury Sable.


Changes begin on the outside with the bold chrome-bar grille and wrap-around headlamps that are fast becoming the signature Ford-brand face. Also new are front and rear fascias, a sculpted hood, fog lamps, more distinctive taillamps and twin chrome-tipped exhausts. The up-level Limited model also wears chrome front fender vents, mirror caps and door handles.

Interior, Safety and Dynamics

Ford says its new Taurus offers the most commodious interior and trunk of any large sedan, with best-in-class rear seat passenger volume and best-in-class trunk capacity, a 60/40 fold-flat rear seat and even a fold-flat front passenger seat for extra-long cargo. We especially like the airliner-like foot room under the cross-car structure-mounted front seats.