Her and His Reviews
June 2010
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Chuck Kerber, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| Anne | Chuck |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| MSRP: $45,175 as Tested | MSRP: $45,175 as Tested |
| Performance | |
| The Ford Taurus 'SHO'does appeal at a whole new level. With 365 horsepower and a 3.5 liter V6 Ecoboost, this six speed vehicle has the performance of a muscle car with the styling and design of a mid-luxury sports model. Who really needs the paddle shifters (with limited finger room to engage), as this car has acceleration plus. | This is one powerful, fast car! Powered by a 3.5 Liter Ecoboost Engine, Twin Turbo V-6 with a 6-speed Transmission, 365 Horsepower 6250 RPM and 249 ft lbs. of torque @ 4500 RPM.
It sure was fun testing the limits of this car. On several occasions I tried to peel the tires a bit, but the ESC prevented me from acting irresponsible. Be prepared for launch control! The handling on the Ford Taurus SHO is soft, but sturdy. This car can't really decide if it wants to be a comfortable cruiser, or potent sports-car. Cornering is controlled, but feels soft in some situations. Sport tuned suspension is firm and comfortable for passengers in front, and back. 4-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS ensure controlled stops |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 17 MPG City, 25 MPG Highway | 17 MPG City, 25 MPG Highway |
| The Car | |
| Transformation occurred between the old Taurus and the new one in a very short amount of time. What used to be a fairly vanilla and reliable family sedan now looks nothing like its predecessor. This jacked up car is of a serious nature; it's about getting there as quickly as humanly and legally possible, and in style and comfort.
A Taurus for $45K--- who knew? This vehicle drives as fast as the BMW 5 series and with a totally hot and bold interior pallate, it has a men's slant to it. Not like the Taurus days of old that appealed to both genders as well as company cars and rentals. The 10-way power 2-tone leather seats are comfortable. The handsome interior has camel nubuck suede combined and stitched to contrasting midnight smooth leather. The seats are beyond comfortable and on my early to rise rides I loved to pump the heat into them... ah! The rear seats heat, also. Instrument panels and the soft LED lights made for an inescapable love of this vehicle. The 20" aluminum wheels made it a SHO-stopper. Four people in four days asked me about the car and if they could look inside. |
Ford took a big risk with the new Taurus SHO. Falling sales, and outdated design almost erased the Taurus from existence forever. The new design is modern and stylish, with amenities for old as well as young drivers.
The 10-way power 2-tone leather seats are comfortable, and a key element in the new design of the SHO. The stitched leather parallels that of much pricier, European models. The dash is elegant and easy to read. Buttons for the stereo, AC, heat and AC are easy to operate. The stereo was phenomenal, with crisp highs, and deep bass. The voice activated Navigation system only takes a few minutes to understand and operate. Why is the back window so small? It's virtually impossible to navigate when backing up- luckily, the Ford Taurus comes with optional back-up assist. |
| Safety | |
| Power heated mirrors with blinking security approach lamps notify drivers of approaching or passing traffic.
Back up assist with camera and screen to view otherwise invisible obstacles directly behind car-we caution you to use common sense and look in all directions before backing up; do not solely rely on this device. SOS Post-crash alert system, with front seat side airbags. Tire pressure monitoring system is included, along with a perimeter alarm. The 4 wheel ABS keeps braking and stability in check. |
SOS Post-crash Alert System
4-Wheel ABS Front Seat Side Airbags 2-Rows of Safety Canopies Tire Pressure Monitoring System Perimeter Alarm |
| Technology | |
| Amenities galore are in this model, like the easy to use voice activated NAV system, and the Sony 12 speaker sound system. Bluetooth and Sirius? satellite radio are simply layers onto an already fun car. Push-button start and keyless entry are included. Blind Spot Monitoring system with alarm and rear window power shade. Rear view camera assist driver. | Standard and optional equipment include:
Push-Button Start Sony Premium Sound System with Sirius Satellite Sync Voice Activated Navigation and Stereo System Blind Spot Monitoring System with Alarm Rear Window Power Shade Rear View Camera Electronically Adjustable Pedals |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Let's start with the very beginning of the exterior and the grill is hot. Not like the venetian blind look that Ford designers have such an attraction to and I have such an aversion against. This look is not so tidy and symmetrical; it's aggressive while not being overdone. The headlights are forceful and contoured, strangely looking abit like the Philadelphia Eagles emblem. The lines of the car are smart and strong; the exterior is a 100% match for what in on the inside and for the capability of the engine. No secrets here. The body is painted with a black metallic fleck-very attractive and eye-catching.
Terrific design language on the inside that has simple things like organization line up to the overall design. One feature that is troublesome is the size of the rear view window. Its depth is very narrow and does not allow for optimum visibility in the least, especially with two passengers in back seat. |
The completely redesigned 2010 Ford Tauraus is stylish and current. Gone are the roundish head lamps, fenders, roof line, and bizarre tail lights. The new lines are angular with distinctive headlamps and fenders.
The HID projector beams, coupled with powerful fog lights add to the unique appeal. The interior is equally attractive with soft yet angled interior accents. Aluminum interior pedals add to the sportiness of the SHO |
| Warranty | |
| Bumper to Bumper: 3 years, 36,000 miles
Power train: 5 years, 60,000 miles |
Bumper to Bumper: 3 years, 36,000 miles
Powertrain: 5 years, 60,000 miles |
| Non-tangibles / Other | |
| A stickler for consistency in branding and messaging, may I suggest it might be time to update the blue Ford script iconic logo that is not so dissimilar to its 1927 predecessor? We entered the 21st century 10 years ago | Kudos to Ford for bringing back to life a car that surely was destined for the graveyard. The new styling, up to date electronics and super-powered engine will surely attract Ford loyalists.
One major point of contention - limited rear visibility. The small window impedes the driver's ability to back up safely. Still in its design infancy, it's too early to tell if the new Ford Taurus SHO will be a success. With all the bells and whistles, the SHO tops out at close to 50k; expensive for a domestic sedan. Will it sell? Stay tuned. |
