Vehicle Type: Sedan

History/Description:  Okay, guys. The new Ford Taurus is pretty sweet. It’s big. It’s comfy. It’s handsome. It’s got room for you, your people, and your things, and you can get one with a twin-turbocharged V6 if you’re pretty badass and want to talk boost with your pals.

There are numerous reasons to consider a used Taurus for your second-hand sedan buck. These centre, mostly, around space, styling and size at a relatively low price. This generation Taurus launched for model-year 2010 with V6 power, front or all-wheel drive, and the high-performance Taurus SHO with EcoBoost engine filling in the model range. All units got four doors, a generous rear seat, standard front-wheel drive and a lengthy list of high-tech options.

For model-year 2013, an update gussied the Taurus up, intending to demonstrate a higher level of craftsmanship and attention to driving dynamics, as well as improved efficiency. A turbo four-cylinder engine became available, fuel-saving tweaks were applied to the other engines, and exterior styling updates included a more muscular hood, larger wheels and tires, and revised rear quarter panels that enabled the use of larger taillamps.

Ford says that without altering overall dimensions, they made the 2013 Taurus look more streamlined and sporty. Further, the SHO variant got bigger brakes, a better cooling system and a tidied-up steering box from 2013 and on.

The gist? If you can afford it, go with a 2013 or newer used unit.

Engines/Trim: Do you like engines? The Taurus had several on offer.  Earlier units will pack a 3.5L V6 good for about 265 hp, or a twin-turbo EcoBoost variant thereof, good for a hundred more.  From 2013, the 3.5L engine makes 288 hp, and the new 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder generates 240 hp, and (more importantly) 270 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the standard V6.

Look for a six-speed automatic with paddle-shift on all units, and note that Taurus SHO only came with All-Wheel Drive to keep your teenagers from vaporizing the tires when they pull out of the Timmies drive-thru.

Feature content included a sunroof, memory seating, Ford Sync, navigation, premium audio, push-button start, cap-less refueling, a powered rear window sunshade, automatic climate control, custom ambient lighting, radar cruise control, and plenty more.  Here’s a relatively affordable sedan that truly hit above its weight where feature content was concerned. There were even power adjustable pedals for those of us not blessed with long dancer’s legs.

Note, when shopping, that trim-grade nomenclature saw standard Taurus models named SE, with the SEL representing the high-value mid-grade model. A loaded Taurus wears a Limited badge, and the performance-focused Taurus is the SHO.

What Owners Like: Most Taurus owners rave about the value-for-the-dollar at work, a comfortable ride, relatively good fuel economy on most models, and a driving feel that’s solid, sturdy and confident. The premium audio system is highly rated, and many owners have also grown fond of Taurus’s relatively generous selection of high-tech gadgets.  Though Taurus is smaller on board than its overall size suggests, most owners still say it’s roomy and spacious. Finally, Taurus SHO owners all report satisfaction with the smooth and quiet performance of their lustrous turbocharged land rockets, and relish the ability to lay the smack down on pesky Honda Accord drivers between a set of traffic lights.

What Owners Dislike: Typical gripes include heavy fuel consumption in the SHO model when driven hard, the lack of an involving driving experience for some enthusiast drivers who happen to need a big car, flat and potentially-uncomfortable front seats, and torque-steer galore in front-wheel drive models. Some owners wish for reduced button-clutter on the dashboard, too.

Here’s a look some owner reviews.

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