2010 Ford Taurus Review

2010 Ford Taurus - SHO time.

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Enticing eye candy  debuting at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show included Ford Motor Company's 2010 Taurus SHO, a high-output version of the smartly redesigned 2010 Taurus sedan- revealed  a month earlier at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Those in the know know Taurus SHO (Super High Output) first appeared in 1989; soon, a cult following developed until 1999 when SHO went on 'hiatus...' until now.  Both Taurus and Taurus SHO are now built exclusively at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant, operational since 1924.

A key aspect to SHO's future success is that it's based on the newly re-engineered 2010 Taurus. The storied Taurus has gone from the car that many claim 'saved Ford' in the mid  1980s to the Jelly-bean, 'styled by committee' miss-hit of the mid  1990s to the miss-named Five Hundred in 2006. Give Ford credit; it brought back the Taurus name in 2008 and brings back a car worthy of that name in 2010. Maybe Taurus can save Ford again.

This 2010 entry marks the sixth-generation of Taurus with plenty of forward thinking that helped make the first generation so desirable.  Ford actually moved up the introduction by one year.  Originally, it was slated as a 2011 intro. A 2010 Taurus SHO starts at $37,995 (including destination charge) versus a standard Taurus with a $25,995 for an entry SE trim.

EcoBoost trumps up horsepower
A major grip against the 2006 and 2007 Five Hundred sedan was Ford's frumpy 203 horsepower V-6. SHO's standard 3.5-liter, twin turbocharged, direct-inject, EcoBoost gas V-6 cranks out an impressive 365 horses (100 more than the standard Taurus with the 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engine) and 350 lbs.-feet of low-end torque grunt.  EcoBoost directly injects fuel into the combustion chamber of each cylinder rather than fuel being mixed with air prior to entering the chamber. Along with dual water-cooled turbochargers and high compression ratio, EcoBoost helps improve torque and engine efficiency.

Premium fuel is recommended for peak performance, although 87 octane can be utilized. When refueling, don't reach for the fuel cap. All 2010 Taurus models, including SHO, come with 'cap less refueling'  where the nozzle breaks a barrier and directly inserts into the tank lead; no more excuses for misplacing a wayward cap. A great touch that's long overdue.

All-wheel-drive is a SHO exclusive.  Both front-drive and all-wheel drive are available in the regular 2010 Taurus. A six-speed automatic transmission comes standard in all Taurus models, including SHO, a notable departure from 1989 when a manual transmission was offered. Ford makes up slightly for the manual transmission absence with steering- wheel -mounted paddle shifters.

These paddle shifters tended to be counterintuitive then others tested. When pressing either paddle forward, transmission would shift down a gear.  I'm more in tune to pushing forward and having the gear move up a notch. I found myself thinking too much and not enjoying the perk. SHO's shifters are more responsive than the standard Taurus, but I eventually ended up shifting back into "drive" and letting the automatic transmission do the work.  The Lexus IS-F performance sedan provides the best paddle shift experience tested recently.

While Ford prepares for the 2010 SHO public debut sometime during the summer of 2009, Chevrolet has no plans to return the naturally-aspirated, 303 horsepower V-8-powered, front-drive Impala SS (super sport) in the 2010 model year. Chrysler's 300 sedan, includes a high-performance, SRT-8 trim in the 2009 model year, a rear-drive, 6.1-liter, V-8 powered large sedan delivering 425 horsepower starting at $44,160. The trade off is SHO's  EcoBoost delivers far better economy than the Chrysler 300 SRT-8's 19 mpg  highway.

Ford promotes SHO's EcoBoost engine as having the power of a V-8 with the fuel consumption of a V-6.  Preliminary estimates have city mpg at 17 and highway at 25. According to Pete Reyes, Chief Engineer for Taurus SHO with Eco Boost, 90 percent of Ford name plates will have EcoBoost by 2013.

No faking it

 SHO has the best-looking interior of all the new Taurus models thanks to brushed aluminum enhancements around the instrument panel's three deep-set gauges and the square region above the medium-sized glove box. Other 2010 Taurus models choose faux wood (that truly does LOOK fake) in those areas.

Taurus SHO (and Taurus) has one of the largest trunks of any class of sedan (20.1 cubic feet).  In this segment, 18 cubic feet is considered good.  As with the previous generation Taurus, three riders fit comfortably in back thanks to generous leg room.  Rear seatbacks fold down on the cushion in a 60/40 split making the large trunk even more useful. Leather trimmed seats come standard in SHO.

SHO comes with all the standard equipment found in the top-level Limited trim of the standard Taurus. Notable items include 10-way power driver and passenger seats, dual climate controls and one-touch up/down power side windows. The SHO edition also comes with push-start standard.  With a key fob in a pocket or purse, the engine purrs to life with a push of a dashboard button left of the steering column. Also standard is an ambient lighting system allowing folks the opportunity to choose from five different interior backlighting selections.  Stick with 'cool blue,' it's easiest on the eyes.

SHO exclusives include leather trimmed seats with Miko suede inserts, aluminum brake and accelerator pedals, electronic power actuated steering, a very noticeable sport tuned suspension, perforated leather wrapped steering wheel, dual chrome tipped split exhaust tips and rear spoiler.

Standard cruise control functions are found on the steering wheel's 3 o'clock face side.  A stacked center column has contains audio and ventilation functions.  The trunk-release button is actually closer to the front passenger as it sits right of this column.  Cup holders to the right of the shifter are covered via a flip-top.

Outside looking in
The SHO edition does not brag overtly that it's something special.   Near the tail lights on the trunk lid's right side sits the diminutive 'SHO with EcoBoost' logo.  Ford wanted this to be a driver's car where the difference was felt behind the wheel.

Narrow band-like headlights flank a grille with Ford's blue oval logo front and center.  Perforated, horizontal bars reside above and below and get coated with 'nickel-luster.'  A thin rear "C" pillar connects to a high, short deck lid. Nineteen inch Goodyear Eagle tires mounted on sporty premium painted wheels come standard; 20-incher Michelin tires are optional.

Ford positions the 2010 Taurus as its flagship vehicle and SHO as the premium choice of the flagship. At 202.9 inches in length, Taurus SHO is longer than mid-size sedans (like the Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion) and competes with cars such as the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon, the new, emerging full-size class.

High tech available here
SYNC, Ford's hand's free communications and entertainment system (developed by Microsoft) comes standard. Like many technologies, when it works; it's great, when not, it's not so hot.  Audio systems and cell phones can still be used without SYNC (now in its third-generation form in 2010), so if one gets flustered, the radio will still turn on and off.

SHO incorporates many options usually found in up-scale, premium sedans including power sun roof, heated and cooled front seats, rear heated seats, blind spot information system (BLIS) with cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, multi-contoured front seats with active motion, voice activated navigation system and  reverse sensing and camera system.  A couple option packages are available (combining many of these systems) in addition to a SHO performance package which includes: 20-inch tires and performance brake pads.

The blind spot information system combines radar technologies in a simple,  easy-to-understand manner. If a vehicle is traveling in the SHO's blind spot along the side, amber icons illuminate in the side view mirror.  It's science made useful. The active motion front seats includes massaging motions in both the cushion and back rest and was beneficial in cutting down on back and butt fatigue.

Driving impressions
Ford did a good job with insulation points as this is a very quiet-riding vehicle; not quite to the extent of a Toyota Avalon, but creeping ever-so-much closer. An independent multi-link rear suspension creates a sportier ride.  This along with a stiffer chassis and power actuated power steering make the SHO driving experience more precise than the standard Taurus.    SHO feels lighter than its 4,368 pounds would lead one to believe. SHO doesn't deliver horsepower numbers generated by the V-8 Chrysler 300 SRT; but do expect civilized experience with more pep in its step than a generic Taurus.

The Verdict
Taurus SHO seats five in comfort, yet offers more fun-to-drive qualities and more advanced electronics than its domestic rivals. SHO doesn't breathe fire, but 'sleeper performance' lets drivers enjoy extra get-up-and-go while being  a bit friendlier to the environment. All-wheel-drive keeps the car planted, but does not provide performance of a rear-drive platform. If you're a one-car family and want to please both the practical and playful sides, SHO is worth a look.  Two-car families would be wise to check out the naturally-aspirated, sixth-generation Taurus.


Dave Boe

Dave Boe, a lifetime Chicago area resident, worked at the Daily Herald, Illinois' third-largest daily newspaper, for 24 years. In 1989, the Daily Herald began a weekly Saturday Auto Section and he was shortly appointed editor. The product quickly grew into one of the largest weekend sections in the paper thanks to his locally-written auto reviews, the introduction of a local automotive question-and-answer column, a new colorful format and news happenings from Chicago area new-car dealerships.

Five years later, a second weekly auto section debuted on Mondays with Boe adding an industry insight column and introducing a "Love Affair with Your Car" column where readers sent in their own automotive memories for publication. During the next 10 years, the number of weekly auto sections Boe edited and coordinated grew to five and featured expanded NASCAR racing coverage, a dealer spotlight/profile feature and a Car Club Calendar where grass-roots automobile clubs could publish upcoming events for free. Boe also introduced more local automotive columnists into the pages of the sections, all of whom were seasoned members of the well respected Midwest Automotive Media Association. In 1997, Boe earned the Employee of the Year award from the Daily Herald.

Boe is a founding member and current president of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. He has degrees in Journalism and Business Administration from Northern Illinois University.