2010 Ford Taurus - Review

Slide behind the wheel of the SHO, fire up the engine, and shift into gear, and the first thing you'll notice that is that the SHO doesn't seem like a particularly sporty vehicle. There's no snarl from the engine, no ride-harshness induced by the sports-suspension, and no sacrifice of creature comforts for the sake of on-road performance. Indeed, if a driver never dips into the throttle, he or she will never know what this car can do.

What it can do is scoot away from a stop in a hurry. Tromp on it, and the previously quiet engine roars to life and the car achieves escape velocity in a surprisingly short amount of time. The twin-turbos act as an on/off switch--keep the revs below 3,000, and the Taurus SHO remains stately and serene. Creep above that, and it turns into your normally meek co-worker who dances on tables after two gin and tonics.

Acceleration isn't the whole story. While handling is hampered slightly by the car's sheer size, body roll is at least kept to a minimum. Steering feel is light--lighter than one might expect--but not TOO light. Ride is on the firm side, but not uncomfortable--there's no reason that the Taurus can't be used to transport your family across the state or your boss across town. Keep your actions civil, and the Taurus SHO is just another corporate cruiser.

The interior is nicely done, with easy-to-read gauges and appropriate placements for most buttons and switches. Interior space is a bit tight for a car this size, but there's still enough room to breath easy. Trunk space is of the super-size variety--golfers will love it.

Negatives? Well, there are a few. As noted above, handling is a bit limited by the car's mass. The paddle shifters for the manumatic mode of the automatic transmission aren't particularly engaging. And fuel mileage isn't great--EPA numbers are 17 city/25 highway, and I averaged a hair over 19 mpg in 175 miles of combined city and highway driving.

This isn't the spunky SHO of the 1980s. That car seemed to thumb its nose at other mid-sizers, and it proved that front-wheel drive could be fun. The 21st-century version of the SHO is more grown-up--literally and figuratively--but it hasn't completely forgotten how to party. One thing hasn't changed: The car's mission. The original SHO was meant to provide enthusiast drivers with a car that could haul their families while providing fun. The new one does that, too, albeit in a larger size.

Yes, you can have your cake, and eat it, too. Just be warned: Having it all doesn't come cheap.