Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.
ASHVILLE, NC – The Ford Taurus has fallen on hard times.
Once the best-selling passenger car in the U.S., the Taurus nameplate has suffered numerous indignities over the years. The most egregious was being hastily slapped on the trunk of the rebadged Five Hundred sedan.
Now with the ’10 Taurus set to arrive later this summer, Ford is betting the revamped fullsize sedan will lead it into a new era of prosperity.
After a recent test drive here, the auto maker can breathe a sigh of relief. The Taurus is a solid performer with confident handling, a stout powertrain, contemporary styling, a rock-solid feel and quiet, spacious interior. It holds the road admirably, even during a downpour.
Wrapping occupants in a cocoon of silence and standardizing the way Ford vehicles look, sound and feel is a key objective for Derrick Kuzak, group vice president-global product development.
The Taurus demonstrates Kuzak’s initiative is moving forward and paying off. The car exudes the “perceived quality” every auto maker wants.
Doors close with a reassuring “thud,” rather than the hollow ring of past Ford models. The interior is well-crafted, with high-quality materials and soft touch-points where expected. The exception is the textured plastic in the foot wells and a few other spaces.
Overall, the cabin is handsome and much sportier than that of the outgoing, under-achieving model. The raised console, flowing center stack and Mustang-inspired instrument panel flow together nicely. Panel gaps are uniform throughout.
Seats are comfortable, even during an extended drive, due in no small part to Ford’s “Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion” technology. The light massage is effective in keeping blood flowing through the driver’s back to prevent fatigue.
Adaptive cruise control with collision warning, push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Sync communications and voice-activated navigation round out the new Taurus’ advanced-technology roster.
