2010 Ford Taurus: First Drive

Revamped Taurus has better styling but a worse view out

The 2010 Ford Taurus is actually a second revamping of the large sedan launched for 2005 as the Ford Five Hundred. The car's stance is lowered and the roofline is swept back for a more athletic look. Prices start at about $26,000 for front-wheel-drive models and climb to the high $30,000s for all-wheel-drive versions. Our well-equipped, front-wheel-drive, Limited version is priced at $34,980. The powertrain is a 263-hp V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

First impressions

This newest Taurus iteration is very pleasant to drive, and brings more styling panache, but as is so often the case, fashion compromises function. Some of the old car's interior airiness has been sacrificed and the view aft is more restricted.

The Taurus rides over most road surfaces with aplomb. The cabin is very quiet, and engine noise seems more muted than it did previously. Handling is responsive, especially considering the car's size, with a prompt turn-in response and well-weighted steering. The powertrain is fairly refined and supplies ample reserve power. We have been averaging a decent 23 mpg so far.

Our Limited comes with comfortable leather seats that provide good support and are heated and cooled. They even have an optional massage function, but we were not impressed with it. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel is finally included, which is useful, but there's less room to spread out than one might hope for. The foot wells are narrow, the lowered roof makes the rear seating area seem more confining to some, and the short rear window and high package shelf make backing up more of a challenge. The optional rearview camera and blind-spot-detection system can help out with that. As before, the limousine-like trunk can hold an attic's worth of luggage.

The new interior is well assembled and the materials have a higher-quality feel than before. An attractive and stylish center console takes center stage but its girth robs a little knee room from the driver and front passenger. The controls are mostly straightforward, but some, such as the trip-computer buttons, are a long reach. Maybe one day those controls will be on a lever, within finger reach.

Ford's Sync system easily integrates an iPod and cell phone into the car's audio system. Another small convenience is the fuel filler, which has a push-through orifice instead of a twist-off filler cap.

CR's take

The new Taurus is a pleasant and comfortable large sedan that gingers up the outgoing car's plain-vanilla stolidity. While undoubtedly a worthy contender, it faces some strong competition from the newly introduced new Buick LaCrosse, and the well-established Toyota Avalon in the large-sedan class.

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