Test Drive: 2008 Ford Taurus X

2008 Ford Taurus X. Click image to enlarge

Standard features on Taurus X SEL FWD models includes the 3.5-litre engine and six-speed automatic transmission, fully independent suspension, new electric power assisted steering, 17-inch all-season tires and alloy wheels, four wheel disc brakes with ABS; traction control and stability control with roll-over sensor; power heated outside mirrors; and front fog lights.

Inside is standard six passenger cloth seating with two second row buckets that fold flat, and two third row seats that fold flat into the floor (a three passenger split folding second row bench is optional); front, side and curtain airbags; dual zone automatic climate control; AM/FM/single CD/MP3/XM satellite radio with steering wheel controls and four speakers; power windows with driver’s one-touch up and down feature; power driver’s seat and manual lumbar adjustment; power door locks with remote unlocking; leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, variable intermittent front wipers and fixed interval rear wiper; tachometer, compass and outside temperature display.

2008 Ford Taurus X. Click image to enlarge

The SEL AWD model adds a full-time four-wheel drive system similar to the one on the Ford Edge crossover. It uses an electro-mechanical centre coupler to vary torque front to rear by up to 100 percent to either axle. Under normal driving conditions, 100% of torque is transferred to the front axle, but during slippery conditions, 100% of the torque can be sent to the rear axle if the rear tires have more grip than the front tires, e.g. if the front tires are on ice or snow and the rear tires are on dry pavement. If all of the tires have traction, the torque transfer to the rear is limited to the weight distribution of the vehicle, ie. under hard acceleration, more torque will go to the rear axle. The system is fully automatic and there is no low range gear.

The top Limited trim adds the following features to the SEL: 18-inch tires and alloy wheels; leather upholstery; simulated woodgrain interior trim; six-disc in-dash CD changer; three additional speakers; second row heating and air conditioning controls; power glass moonroof; eight-way power driver’s seat; driver’s seat two-position memory for seat, mirrors and power adjustable pedals; heated front seats; garage door transmitter; delayed headlights; and reversing sensors.

My test vehicle, a six-passenger Limited AWD model, featured $4,660 of options including a navigation system ($2,300), DVD entertainment system ($1,195), 18-inch seven-spoke chrome wheels ($595), heated second row bucket seats ($495), and block heater ($75). With a Freight charge of $1,250 and A/C tax of $100, the as-tested price of my tester came to $48,009.

The Taurus X is basically a tall station wagon, and comes as a six- or seven-passenger model: the six-passenger model has two centre bucket seats with an armrest/storage bin between them and two fold-into-the-floor third row seats; the seven-passenger model has a centre three-passenger 60/40 split bench seat.

The Taurus X’s cabin is very roomy – first and second row passengers have plenty of legroom and headroom; third row passengers sit higher than second row passengers for an improved view, but even so, headroom is generous because of a raised roof at the rear of the vehicle. As well, the second row bucket seats slide forwards and backwards, allowing more legroom for third row passengers if needed. My only complaint with the third row seats is that they are smaller and harder, the floor is a bit high causing knees to stick up, and the head restraints have to be adjusted upwards by about a foot to be in the proper position.

The Taurus X’s instrument panel is similar to the Freestyle’s with its four gauge layout, large air vents, covered storage bin on top of the dash, and a grab bar on the passenger side. The dash design is attractive but the quality of the plastic finish is less than you’d expect in a $40,000 vehicle. As well, the heater and A/C buttons in the lower centre console are small and difficult to read and operate at a glance.

The leather seats in the Limited model have attractive white stitching and a smooth leather surface and I found the power driver’s seat very comfortable. The Taurus X has a tilt (but not telescopic) steering wheel and (optional) power pedals. The second row bucket seats are also very comfortable.

My car had the optional navigation system with a large touch screen. In addition to a map and real-time GPS locator, the screen can display route guidance instructions, audio functions, and information and set-up functions. My only complaint is that each time the ignition is turned on, the driver has to press an “I agree” button for a liability waiver.

A lot of in-car functions can be done without ever taking your hands off the steering wheel – the multi-function wheel features buttons for audio, cruise control, and trip information display.

2008 Ford Taurus X. Click image to enlarge

My car had the optional second row fan and temperature controls which are useful for rear passengers who need a blast of fresh air on a hot day, or warm air on a cold day. My tester was also equipped with the optional second row seat heaters, which on leather seats, are well appreciated in winter. My vehicle also had the optional DVD entertainment system which consists of a nine-inch flip-down colour screen, DVD player, wireless headsets, and plug ins for video and music players. This screen can be viewed by second and third row passengers, and is very handy for keeping rear passengers amused on long drives.

The new-for-2008 power-operated folding second row bucket seats make it easy to get into the third row seats from either side – just press a button (just inside the rear doors) and the second row bucket seats fold and tumble forwards leaving a wide gap for passengers to slip through to the third row. However, the ignition must be turned on for this to work and the second row seats must be pulled back into position manually.

The second row seatbacks can also be folded flat to create a flat loading floor from the tailgate to the front seats – the protruding second row centre armrest has a double hinged top that flips over to provide a flat cargo surface. This armrest has a deep storage bin, two cupholders, an open storage area, and a 12-volt outlet. In addition, the divider gives young children their “own space” and parents more peace.

2008 Ford Taurus X. Click image to enlarge

The two third row seats fold flat into the floor when not in use, creating a flat carpeted cargo floor. Even when upright, there is a deep carpeted well behind the seats which can hold five or six grocery bags. An optional power tailgate can be opened remotely from the driver’s seat or with the key fob, and can be closed by pressing a button inside the cargo area.

Behind the third row is 493 litres (17.4 cu. ft.) of cargo area, but it’s mostly vertical space, so not all of it is usable. Behind the second row with the third seats folded flat, there is 1342 litres (47.4 cu. ft.), and behind the first row is an enormous 2413 litres (85.2 cu. ft.). With all the rear seatbacks folded down including the right front seatback, there is up to 2.74 metres (9.0 ft.) of cargo length.

The new six-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the continuously variable transmission in the Freestyle, is a paragon of refinement and is responsive to throttle input. It doesn’t have a manual shift mode but I don’t think many Taurus X drivers will miss it. There is an on/off overdrive button on the shift handle.

On the freeway, the engine speed in top gear at 100 km/h is below 2,000 r.p.m., and the Taurus X feels very relaxed. Official fuel consumption ratings for the Taurus X AWD model are 13.7 L/100 km (21 mpg) City and 9.2 L/100 km (31 mpg) Highway. That’s only slightly more than the 2007 Freestyle AWD with its smaller 3.0-litre engine which consumed 12.6 L/100 km (22 mpg) City, and 9.0 L/100 km (31 mpg) Highway. The 3.5-litre engine still uses Regular-grade gas.

Towing capacity is surprisingly low: 907 kg (2000 lbs). But remember, this is not a truck – it’s a car, and it doesn’t have the heavy duty truck frame necessary for serious hauling.

2008 Ford Taurus X. Click image to enlarge

Handling is quite neutral for a big vehicle – a fully independent suspension and beefy Pirelli P6 225/65R-18 all-season tires are standard on the Limited model – but the Taurus X feels heavy and has a rather wide turning circle of 12.2 metres (40.0 ft.). Visibility is good except for a rather wide C-pillar which, nevertheless, doesn’t seem to get in the way when shoulder checking. An intermittent rear wiper is very useful on the vertical rear window in bad weather. I really liked the audible rear parking sensors which alert the driver to objects behind the vehicle with an increasingly frequent series of beeps. It makes it easy to park within a foot of a concrete wall or other barrier.

Though it has all-wheel drive, the Taurus X is not an off-road vehicle. While it does have a generous 203 mm (8.0 in.) of ground clearance, it also has a very long wheelbase and long front and rear overhangs. The AWD system is mostly useful as a traction and stability aid on wet or icy or gravelly roads, and combined with electronic stability control and traction control, the Taurus X offers enough safety nannies to keep most people out of trouble. Four wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard on the Taurus X.

2008 Ford Taurus X. Click image to enlarge

In a crash, the Taurus X is one of the safest vehicles on the road. All Taurus X’s have front, side and curtain airbags, and it recently received five stars in frontal and side impact crash tests from the NHTSA (www.safercar.gov), and a “Top Safety Pick” designation from the IIHS (www.hwysafety.org)