Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL stays big, goes upscale Options

[Sixt9coug]

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/review-...g-goes-upscale/

Seems they liked it

[Pioneer]

a chromed, Flava-Flav three bar grille

Yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh boooooooooyyyyyeee!

(IMG:http://www.hoopzpictures.com/images/hoopz-pictures-flavor-flav.jpg)

[92merc]

"the Taurus is fully 600 pound heavier than a Chevrolet Malibu"

Wouldn't the Impala be a more likely comparison??

[silvrsvt]

"the Taurus is fully 600 pound heavier than a Chevrolet Malibu"

Wouldn't the Impala be a more likely comparison??

Thats the problem with the Taurus name...too many people are mistaking it for a mid-sized car when its a fullsized one...I think Ford's Marketing needs to fix that!

[BrewfanGRB]

"the Taurus is fully 600 pound heavier than a Chevrolet Malibu"

Wouldn't the Impala be a more likely comparison??

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/nonono.gif)

This really irritates me. If the public doesn't get it now (which cars are comparable to which), then at a minimum those that "obsessively cover the auto industry" should know damn well better that a 2010 Taurus is NOWHERE near the size of a Malibu. WTF? Seriously. They aren't to be cross-shopped---why would a Malibu shopper care how heavy a Taurus is?

[Mark B. Morrow]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/nonono.gif)

This really irritates me. If the public doesn't get it now (which cars are comparable to which), then at a minimum those that "obsessively cover the auto industry" should know damn well better that a 2010 Taurus is NOWHERE near the size of a Malibu. WTF? Seriously. They aren't to be cross-shopped---why would a Malibu shopper care how heavy a Taurus is?

Wile they were at it they could have pointed out that the Taurus is heavier than the Aveo. Of course you can almost fit an Aveo in the trunk of a Taurus. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Hugh]

I was thinking they were talking about the Impala and it was a simple mistake. The weight difference between the two is pretty close to what they said.

[ANTAUS]

I'm sure when and IF GM decided to redesign the Impala, it will gain weight. The current platform would be considered weak old and outdated by todays standards.

[RichardJensen]

List price of that leather equipped SEL? $31k.

Could probably drive it off the lot for less than $29k

tsk, tsk, tsk. Full size leather upholstered car for $28k--Ford's prices are outrageous.... No one's going to pay those kind of prices. $28k for a fullsize, fuel efficient, well appointed car? What are they thinking?

[FordBuyer]

List price of that leather equipped SEL? $31k.

Could probably drive it off the lot for less than $29k

tsk, tsk, tsk. Full size leather upholstered car for $28k--Ford's prices are outrageous.... No one's going to pay those kind of prices. $28k for a fullsize, fuel efficient, well appointed car? What are they thinking?

I saw my first Taurus SE in the dealer lot other day and MSRP was $25,000. Not bad for a new Taurus with a decent list of standard features. It even includes the cool, illuminates to touch door keypad on B pillar. And what is big deal about weight as long as it gets good fuel mileage for its segment and decent acceleration which it does. Besides, that extra weight could come in handy in a crash and could save your life with all the crazy drivers on road looking at their Crackberries while driving.

[PREMiERdrum]

I'm sure when and IF GM decided to redesign the Impala, it will gain weight. The current platform IS considered weak old and outdated by todays standards.

Fixed it for ya.

[rmc523]

Just thought I'd add that my dealer got it's first Taurus in today - a Steel Blue Limited. I'd seen a pair of SELs over the summer before, but those were preproduction models. I only drove by it slowly in the dealer lot and didn't get out to look at it, but it looked good, I like it.

[Hoser768]

The only thing that's really not wowing me is the instrument panel. The arrangement reminds me too much of Grandpa's LeSabre.
(IMG:http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/buick_lesabre_custom_2004_dashboard_instrumentcluster.jpg)

Three recessed areas, check. Tach on left, check. Flattened bottom in the center, check. Fuel and temp on the right, check.

(IMG:http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/detroit/2009/2010fordtaurus.10fordtaurusip.img.jpg)

Yes, the lighting and fonts on the Taurus are much different, not seeing it in person, I hope it's not the same eyeball-fry color of blue the lighting at night on the Impala was the last time I drove one. (2006?)

This post has been edited by Hoser768: Sep 29 2009, 11:13 PM

[rmc523]

The only thing that's really not wowing me is the instrument panel. The arrangement reminds me too much of Grandpa's LeSabre.
(IMG:http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/buick_lesabre_custom_2004_dashboard_instrumentcluster.jpg)

Three recessed areas, check. Tach on left, check. Flattened bottom in the center, check. Fuel and temp on the right, check.

(IMG:http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/detroit/2009/2010fordtaurus.10fordtaurusip.img.jpg)

Yes, the lighting and fonts on the Taurus are much different, not seeing it in person, I hope it's not the same eyeball-fry color of blue the lighting on the Impala was the last time I drove one. (2006?)

If it's anything like the rest of Ford's instrument lighting, it'll be lighter than that and the numbers appear to be white.

A lot of companies are doing the 3 pod setup now, so I don't know if you can criticize Ford alone.

[Hoser768]

A lot of companies are doing the 3 pod setup now, so I don't know if you can criticize Ford alone.

I know it's been done before, that's partly why I'm surprised Ford would (re)adopt this design now.

[rmc523]

I know it's been done before, that's partly why I'm surprised Ford would (re)adopt this design now.

Companies are doing it NOW:

Caddy CTS:
(IMG:http://image.motortrend.com/f/9512166/112_0801_07z%202008_cadillac_CTS%20gauges.jpg)

There are plenty others I can't think of right now too.


People have complained how boring Ford's gauges have been, and now that they try something "different" and more interesting, they get criticized again....

[Hoser768]

Yeah...365HP out of a gas guzzling V6 that is so high strung, by 100K it will be junk...if it even makes it that far. Ford's electronics will let the car down much sooner than that.

But go right ahead and spend $45K for a Toyota Camry with a terribly FWD-based AWD system and 365HP. If wasting your money on such a deficient and lackluster product makes you happy...then so be it.

I knew it was coming, but I figured it would be the first response. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hysterical.gif)

[ausrutherford]

So far I have seen 3 on the roads which is good.

[rmc523]

So far I have seen 3 on the roads which is good.

I've seen 2 preproduction SELs at the dealer (a few months ago), 1 SEL on the road (a few weeks ago), and 1 Limited at the dealer (today).

[BrewfanGRB]

The only thing that's really not wowing me is the instrument panel. The arrangement reminds me too much of Grandpa's LeSabre.
(IMG:http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/buick_lesabre_custom_2004_dashboard_instrumentcluster.jpg)

Three recessed areas, check. Tach on left, check. Flattened bottom in the center, check. Fuel and temp on the right, check.

(IMG:http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/detroit/2009/2010fordtaurus.10fordtaurusip.img.jpg)

Yes, the lighting and fonts on the Taurus are much different, not seeing it in person, I hope it's not the same eyeball-fry color of blue the lighting at night on the Impala was the last time I drove one. (2006?)

I can't possibly see how the Taurus's IP reminds you of the LeSabre, unless all you see is 3 pods, tach on same side, fuel on the same side. Otherwise, they are lighted entirely differently and the Taurus's looks contemporary and fresh. That LeSabre looks like something from 2001.