Test drive: 2008 Ford Taurus
Way back in February, Ford announced that for 2008 the Five Hundred would be renamed the Taurus. When I talked about it on the blog, you responded with a flurry of comments. "I think the name change will help," said one reader. "Lipstick on a pig," said another. Most of you who commented seemed to fall into one of two categories: People who owned (and mostly loved) a Taurus, and people who saw this as an act of desperation by an automaker on the brink.
So after many long months, I've had the opportunity to spend a week with a 2008 Ford Taurus and see for myself. Want to know how it went? Check out my 2008 Ford Taurus test drive and review. Opinions on the new Taurus? I'd love to hear 'em -- click the "comments" link below and share your thoughts with the world. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Comments
Oh dear! The new Taurus, or thinly disguised Five Hundred still looks like an old VW Passat. Ford designers have again missed the mark. Now since I haven’t driven one, I can’t comment on the ride but since style is a huge part of the decision to buy, I am willing to bet that this car will be another Ford flop.
I agree with Michael, the design is just very uninspiring. It’s got that 4×4 look because it shares the platform with the crossover Freestyle, IIRC.
At least Ford is moving in the right direction, especially with some of the details and features.
Going back to the Taurus name was a good idea. Honda has made the cars named the Civic and Accord for how long?
Engineering looks good. The new Taurus and the Fusion are both well made and well designed cars.
Styling… Well I think Ford has some work still be be done there. Maybe it is just me but I find almost all the US cars currently available to be pretty ugly. I miss the old Dodge Intrepid. I liked the clean aerodynamic design but then I am a form follows function kind of guy.
I am serious when I say that this will make a damn fine rental car. The old Taurus was miserable and small and had a terrible ride and was as ugly as it could be. At least this one won’t look as cheap. Nothing worse than handing the keys of the Taurus to the hotel and restaurant valets. I was alway’s inclined to point out that it was a rental. Letting them know that I would never buy one and that they could trash it for all I cared. The new one is not so bad. More of a Crown Vic cop/fed look. Certainly drives better and is nicer on the inside. I would certainly rather have this than the PT Crusiers and HHE they keep renting me. Long live the domestic retal car. It makes me love my Lexus IS300 even more when I get home from travel.
My field is a Corp. Marketing Director and if Ford were to hand me the Ford Taurus account, the first words that I would have to overcome are stuffy, blase, humdrum and stodgy. Unfortunately, those are the first words that came to mind as I perused your review and examined the pictures. My next move would be to call Honda and ask if they needed a consultant to sell their Accord, where words like, handsome, striking, smooth lined, attractive and exciting come to mind. If the Taurus is considered a competitor to the Accord or the Camry, then they are DEAD MEAT!
I have to agree on the name thing. One of the reasons (among many) that American cars are floundering is due to lack of identity. When a model isn’t selling well, the Domestics decide to scrap it altogether and start all over with another dismal failure, rather than taking what’s good about a model and building and improving upon it. Taurus was once a great name in domestic cars. It just became complacent and boring. The new car is a much better vehicle. You can tell just from looking at it. The problem is that it’s still boring.
(car enthusiast)
I’m sad to hear about your inability to find a comfortable driving position, Aaron. I’ve heard from taller drivers that they find that center console sticks out and intrudes into the leg room and that they are constantly bumping into it with their right legs.
After spending couple months researching vehicles to meet my needs of:
1. high safety rating both IIHS and Gov’t
2. awd or 4×4 (for the snow)
3. large vehicle (3 rugrats at home)
4. price
5. lease for 2 or 3 years
6. american car company (if possible)
7. moonroof
Was considering Acura MDX, Lexus RX and GX, Volvo XC70/90, and others.
When you look at safety ratings, price and actually drive in the Taurus, you find out that it is a good deal with a powerful engine that is quiet and smooth. The interior and trunk are huge. I don’t know of a better car meeting my needs for the price. I don’t know how reliable the car is, but I don’t care as I’m renting it for 2 years…