2011 Ford Taurus

Ford Taurus - What the Auto Press Says

The 2011 Ford Taurus ranks 1 out of 7 Affordable Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 21 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Taurus, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

If you think the Ford Taurus is a crummy, dated, mid-size sedan suitable only for fleet use, you need to catch up.  The Ford Taurus has been redesigned.  Now the Taurus beats most other large cars when it comes to all-around performance and value: two reasons why we named it the 2011 Best Family Sedan for the Money.

When Ford redesigned the Taurus in 2010, it added some much-needed life (and competition) to the Affordable Large Car class. Before the Taurus’s update, buyers looking for a comfortable large car with decent performance had only one option: the Toyota Avalon.  With the updated Taurus, buyers now have two very good options when shopping large cars.

Car reviewers have a lot of good things to say about the Taurus.Consumer Guide says the Ford Taurus “offers a breadth and depth of features, gadgets, and trim levels, all at prices that make it stand out among a wide variety of midsize and large cars." Some of those standout features include available all-wheel drive, and Ford’s widely-praised SYNC infotainment system.The Taurus also stands out in within the class for being easy-to-drive and having sharp styling. The fact that the Ford Taurus has one of the lowest starting prices in the class doesn’t hurt either.

Other Cars to Consider

Most car reviewers say that the Ford Taurus is an excellent large car, but they say the same things about the Toyota Avalon. The Avalon starts at about $2,000 more than the Taurus does, but car reviewers say it performs better. Plus, the Avalon has slightly better city fuel economy.

Another hot new entry in the large car class is the Buick LaCrosse.  The LaCrosse has slightly less passenger space than the Taurus does and starts at a little over $1,000 more, but most car reviewers say it’s an excellent value, with a quiet, luxurious interior, a longer warranty and better fuel economy than the Taurus.

Performance

The 2011 Ford Taurus performs well for a large sedan, with strong acceleration, sure-footed handling and good fuel economy despite its tremendous curb weight.  Reviewers say it will easily meet the needs of most families.  A high-performance SHO edition, which wins a great deal of praise for its enthusiast-level performance, is reviewed separately.

Acceleration and Power

The standard engine on every version of the 2011 Ford Taurus except the high-performance SHO is a 3.5-liter V6,  making 263 horsepower.  Reviewers say it's a good match for the Taurus’s 4,000-pound curb weight. The engine is mated to, a six-speed automatic that can be shifted manually with steering-wheel mounted paddles.  Reviewers say the transmission is one of the best on the market. The EPA rates the Ford Taurus at 18 miles per gallon in the city (17 with AWD) and 28 mpg on highways (25 with AWD).

Handling and Braking

The 2011 Ford Taurus handles well for its large size, but is not the equal of most European sport sedans.  Reviewers say its ride strikes a careful balance between gentle and crisp, but most wouldn't call it sporty.  The available all-wheel drive adds wet-weather grip. The anti-lock brakes perform predictably, earning little praise or complaints from test drivers.

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