2010 Ford Taurus SHO Review: A New Take on American Full-Size Performance

"That's a Taurus?!" was the familiar refrain of all those who saw our Taurus SHO tester. "Yes, that is a Taurus," was our reply.

18 May 2015

Pros

Cons

"That's a Taurus?!" was the familiar refrain of all those who saw our Taurus SHO tester. "Yes, that is a Taurus," was our reply.

The Taurus brand name is very well known in the marketplace, a result of the car's blockbuster success from introduction and throughout the 1990s. As is the story with many successful Ford products, the car was left to wither whilst new competition eclipsed it. Today, Toyota and Honda are the leading sellers of mid-size sedans. Ford is catching up though, but with the Fusion.

The Fusion is more of a successor to the original Taurus as Ford let the Taurus deteriorate to a point of a discontinuation in 2006. Thankfully Alan Mullaly took the reins and things began to change - the Taurus was coming back, but in a way we had never seen it before.

For one thing, the Ford Taurus is bigger; now a full-size sedan. The original buyers of the Taurus are demographically older and looking for something larger and more spacious.

The Taurus is that car; a vehicle not expected to sell in tremendous volumes like the original. As an overall segment, the full-size American car is dying in favor of crossovers. In order to turn the tides, the Taurus is by all means a stunner, and we had the model that truly surprises everyone with its performance - the SHO. Sleeper? Indeed.

The Ford Taurus SHO doesn't do a whole lot to announce itself, with subtle badging, 20-inch wheels, dual exhausts and a spoiler. Make no doubt about it, the Taurus SHO is a handsome sedan. It doesn't take a bold and in your face tack, but it still manages to have a chunky American look. We like it.

Inside, the Taurus most definitely isn't your typical full-size sedan. It's downright sportscar-like. The interior is dominated by a thick center console that has a slow and dramatic upward curve.

Driver and passenger are greeted by two hoods on the dashboard. The Taurus has an enveloping, cockpit-like feeling, especially enhanced in our tester by the black colour and carbon fibre and aluminum accents.

Build and material quality is top notch. Panel gaps are tight, and everything was aligned perfectly. The hooded material on the dash is of good quality and soft to the touch, as well as the materials on the door and center stack. Indeed, the center stack's layout is extremely clean when equipped with a navigation system. Also, we like that all compartments in the center console are enclosed with carbon fiber covers that click open and shut with a feeling of quality.

The interior feels smaller than the car's exterior size would give off. Legroom for passengers in the back is good, if a bit tight, but the Taurus offers a comfortable experience for all passengers.

The centerpiece of the SHO and the car's driving experience is, and you knew this was coming, the EcoBoost powerplant. The EcoBoost is the primary differentiating factor on the SHO over the Taurus Limited, for instance.

By now, it isn't any secret that Car Throttle loves this engine. At 365 horses, power is excellent and the engine moves the car quickly, clocking at 5.2 seconds in the dash to 60 mph. Rumor has it power could be boosted even further to 400 hp pretty soon.

Behind the wheel, the Taurus SHO offers a refined, composed driving experience. The SHO isn't exactly a BMW, and that isn't a bad thing - not every car is meant to be. However, the Taurus is a large sedan that isn't afraid to be one. We will say that whilst it wasn't designed as a backroads companion on mountainous roads, the SHO executes corners competently and willingly.

It is a far cry from large American sedans of old that were utterly unpleasant to drive when the road turns narrow.

As a long distance road trip companion, the Taurus SHO shines. The car is fast and comfortable, a vehicle that really eats up the miles. Ride quality was excellent and noise in the interior of our tester was kept to a minimum. It offered a competent, refined driving experience at any rate of speed.

As for sales, the current Taurus is doing quite well for itself in the current market. The car has resonated with customers in a way that Ford intended it to.

The Taurus SHO impressed in its time with us. As a volume manufacturer with the Ford badge, we wouldn't peg it directly against competitors like the Audi A6 4.2 FSI and BMW 5-Series.

At this point the SHO is more in a class of its own, offering a uniquely American blend of attributes. The Taurus SHO has carved out its own niche in the marketplace. The SHO - and the Taurus - is most definitely back.