When you have an indelible image in your mind, it’s tough to wipe it out. That’s one reason Ford arguably did the Taurus a disservice when it completely overhauled the model in 2010. The stem-to-stern overhaul — it would be a disservice to call it a face-lift — turned the once boxy, unpolished sedan into a top-ranked contender that is often favorably compared to the Toyota Avalon that is, in turn, often favorably compared to the Mercedes Benz E-Class.
The problem is the Taurus name. Although the early Avalon received its share of scorn, if not outright derision, auto critics’ thumbs up for the top-of-the-line Toyota sedan — plus buyers’ hard-core loyalty to the automaker itself — helped the Avalon hit and maintain popular success and honors such as Intellichoice’s “2011 Best Overall Value of the Year.”
The question is whether consumers, who until two years ago saw the Taurus as the ugly duckling of the fleet, can rid their mind of negative connotations the name conjures.
| 2011 Ford Taurus |
| » Engine: 3.5-liter, 24-valve Duratec V-6 engine (EcoBoost also available) |
| » Transmission: 6-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive |
| » Fuel economy (estimated): 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway (front-wheel drive); 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway (all-wheel drive) |
| » MSRP: Starting at $25,355 |
If they do, they really will be the winners because the 2011 Ford Taurus truly holds its own against other top-rated and high-priced sedans without skimping on quality.
The Ford team wisely chose to just make minimal changes to the 2011 model so it boasts the same European look in a substantial, ultra-comfortable ride. As we told you last year, it boasts a 112.9-inch wide wheelbase, 202.9 inches in total length and tips the scale at 4,000 pounds. What that means for passengers is that adults can sit in the back and not suffer severe back pain a few miles down the road. That’s just one example of how the Taurus’ extra space is wisely used.
Despite its size, the Taurus remains as spunky and responsive as last year’s model. Again, with the high-end exceptions, all Taurus models have 3.5-liter, 24-valve Duratec V-6 engines with 263 horsepower. So why, some might rightly wonder, choose a 2011 model when the 2010 is basically the same?
Well, for one thing, Ford not has introduced more upscale models including the SE, SEL, and Limited along with the SHO and new exterior colors — Bordeaux Reserve Red Metallic, Kona Blue Metallic and Sterling Gray Metallic.
But what really will sell buyers on the 2011 is all of the extra touches inside. Gone are any hints of hard plastic; luxury materials abound. Drivers will feel as if they can just lean back and enjoy thanks to high-tech features including adaptive cruise control — using radar technology to monitor traffic up to 600 feet ahead and adjust speed accordingly – and a Blind Spot Information System.
Once again, Ford has introduced an overhauled model that shows why the automaker is the true Detroit success story.
No matter the name, the Taurus is one heck of a great luxury ride.
