Day-by-Day Review: 2008 Ford Taurus X

By James Bergeron

Photo Gallery:
2008 Ford Taurus X

Click Image to Enlarge

Ford has been attempting a turn around of sorts for the last two or three years. Starting with the Fusion, then the Edge, they have been attempting to add a little bit more style, content and pizazz to their vehicles. Last year at the Detroit autoshow they launched the new Ford Five Hundred which later became the Taurus.

Ford has taken a lot of flack for this name change; comments like: “Do they really think calling it the Taurus is going to help sales?” are heard everywhere in automotive circles. To give credit where credit is due, though, they didn’t just slap the name on it. They also revised the Five Hundred’s drive train, which by all accounts is wonderful.

Click Image to Enlarge

This week I get a taste of another renamed Ford: the Taurus X, formerly known as the Freestyle. To be nice, the Freestyle was not a vehicle that broke very many sales records. Ford decided they would slap that wonderful Taurus name on the back of the Freestyle and add an “X,” because obviously this is a crossover, and voila! New vehicle!

Obviously, some other changes took place besides that one made to the badge on the tailgate. The drivetrain is the same one used in the Ford Edge, pairing a wonderful Duratec 3.5L V6 engine producing 263hp and 249lb/ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Freestyle was equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine producing only 203hp and coupled to a CVT (continuously variable transmission) which didn’t inspire much excitement.

One would think being named the Taurus “X” this vehicle would be standard all-wheel drive, but one would be incorrect on that assumption. Available in SEL and Limited trim levels in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, the Taurus X has a starting price of just over $35,000.

My tester is a fully-loaded Limited AWD model with voice activated navigation, Sirius satellite radio, leather seating, sunroof, seating for six and the ever-popular rear DVD entertainment centre.

All these great options of course bring the price pretty close to $50k ($47,939), for what seems like a rather roomy crossover that blurs the line between minivan and SUV.

2008 Ford Taurus X
MSRP as tested inc. destination & delivery: $47,939

For more information on Ford and the Taurus X visit Ford Canada

Day 2:

Click Image to Enlarge

I’m going to get my nitpicks and annoyances with the Taurus X out of the way right away. Well, for all Fords really: it doesn’t matter how many Fords I drive; I’ll never get used to the all-in-one stalk on the left of the steering column or the dated green instrument panel.

In terms of niggles with the Taurus X, well, the only two I have that seem to be unique about this vehicle are the windshield wipers and the shifter. Let me elaborate: when squirting some windshield washer fluid onto the windshield the wipers activate and seem to clear everything perfectly — then about 10 seconds later the wiper will go one more time, completely messing your view. I’m sure this works great in a non salt-infested location but here it is disastrous.

Click Image to Enlarge

The niggle about the transmission probably will not bother most, but for some reason you have to push the button on the shifter to shift into neutral, where as most cars you can just slap it in. I use this a lot when cornering on snow since the car will understeer, putting the car in neutral helps regain traction — it’s much more difficult to do in the Taurus X.

The inside of the Taurus X isn’t revolutionary in terms of design but gets the job done. If it was up to me I would do something about the multitude of small buttons crammed together; it makes finding a button in a hurry (like the “recirculate” button) a difficult task.

Pretty much the entire interior is made up of hard plastics, with some chrome accents to spruce it up a little.

Interior storage and passenger comfort are where the Taurus X really shines. Both the second and third row seats fold flat, giving ample cargo room. The third row of seats fold into the floor, leaving a rather large storage area when the seats are in the upright seating position. The Taurus X is available with a second-row bench seat if you so desire, augmenting the seating to seven. You can also delete the centre console in the second row; it cuts into cargo capacity.

Although not extremely generous on leg room, the third row seats are comfortable and more like captains’ chairs than in many other crossover vehicles. Head room in the third row is less than the first two, but I was able to fit without ducking. I find the second row leg room a little on the small side, though, which was surprising to me. The front seats are extremely comfortable for long rides the adjustable pedals made finding a comfortable position a breeze.

Day 3:

Click Image to Enlarge

We have had so much snow in the past few days I just wish it would STOP! It seems like everyday I’m out shoveling or blowing snow away. The upside? There is time to get to know the Taurus X’s safety systems well.

Perhaps I was a little harsh on the Taurus yesterday, or at least it sounded that way. I don’t really hate the vehicle at all, and actually, I’m growing to like it quite a bit especially the fact that it is large and has an all-wheel drive system that seems to react just the way I like it.

Click Image to Enlarge

The traction control, stability control and all-wheel drive system in the Taurus X seem to be a perfect combination for this journalist. Enter a corner too fast and the front end pushes which is expected but enter a little slower and hammer the go pedal and the systems will let you get a little tail happy — extremely fun!

Here I am driving what is essentially a minivan in a way no minivan should be driven — in an empty parking lot with the traction control system off I was able to execute a four-wheel drift for what seemed like eternity. Perhaps this isn’t how most (or any) owners will drive the Taurus X, but it is a testament to how easy the vehicle is to control in an unexpected skid.

The stock tires seem to do a good job in the snow and will get you by thanks to the all-wheel drive system, which works extremely well, although in deep snow it seemed iffy at points.

On the more open and smooth roads, the Taurus X is quiet, the engine turning only 1700rpm at 100km/h. Power comes on immediately at any point and passing is a joy. Not much I can fault with the Taurus X in terms of driving dynamics, ride quality, power and comfort — everything seems great.

Day 4:

Click Image to Enlarge

Well, after a week with the Taurus X, I’m not sure why the sales were slow for the Ford Freestyle. Somehow, I doubt everyone looking for a family vehicle expects 0-100km/h numbers in the seven-second range.

Cargo space, passenger comfort and handling are excellent; the Taurus X’s only downside seems to be the price — especially when equipped like my tester (Limited AWD) for nearly $50,000.

Although the Taurus X was not spectacular on fuel, I averaged 14L/100km, which is nearly the same I averaged with the much smaller and much less powerful Volvo XC70, which I reviewed a few weeks ago. Considering its size and the amount of power the Taurus X has, plus the miserably cold and snowy conditions we have been enduring in Ottawa, 14L/100km is not so bad.

Overall, I was impressed with the Taurus X — I’d even go as far as saying it is one of the most versatile and functional crossovers I have ever tested.

*Rating out of 5: