Used 2018 Ford Taurus

Full-size and family-friendly, the 2018 Ford Taurus is the largest and most expensive sedan in Ford’s expansive lineup. Now in its sixth generation, the Taurus is comfortable, quiet and luxurious. It seats five passengers, has a very large trunk and all-wheel drive is available. It’s also packs power with a standard 288-horsepower V6. Four trim levels are available, SE, SEL, Limited and the SHO performance model which gets a 365-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6. The new Taurus competes with the Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, and Kia Cadenza, as well as the Buick LaCrosse. Although it’s a bit behind much of that competition in overall interior volume, the new Taurus offers families a wide range of trims and features at a starting price below $30,000.

With its standard 288-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, the 2018 Ford Taurus has plenty of power to get you up that hill or merged onto the Interstate. It’s no sports sedan and it won’t slay a BMW 5 Series in the curves but getting up to speed is never a concern despite its antiquated 6-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive 365-horsepower Taurus SHO is quick for the class, sprinting to 60 mph in about 5.2 seconds. It also handles better than the other models with its sport-tuned suspension and 20-inch wheels and tires, but it doesn’t ride quite as smoothly. Although it’s nearly 17-feet long, the full-size Taurus doesn’t feel too big in the city, and it cruises beautifully on the highway, but its thick pillars reduce visibility more than we would like. Overall the Taurus offers full-size comfort and performance in an attractive, quiet and smooth-riding package.

Although attractive, the interior of the 2018 Ford Taurus sedan feels a bit dated and it isn’t as roomy as you might expect. While equipped with five seatbelts, the Taurus is definitely more suitable for four adults over long distances, and the sedan’s thick pillars and high beltline can make the interior feel smaller than it really is. Front-seat comfort is high, however, with optional massage to ease back fatigue on long drives, and those seats can be heated and cooled as well. The multifunction steering wheel and voice-command system control many of the audio and navigation controls.

This is big car. The new Ford Taurus nearly equals some full-size SUVs when it comes to sheer length, but it looks smaller than it is thanks to taut body lines, an athletic short-deck/long-hood profile and a high beltline. It’s a tough-looking 4-door, especially in SHO trim that adds 20-inch wheels and tires, as well as unique exterior trim and a tasteful rear spoiler. The overall height gives drivers a commanding view of the road, but the sedan’s low roof and wide stance combine with the steeply sloping windshield and rear window to give the Taurus a sleek look.

SYNC 3 INFOTAINMENT
Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system is standard on the 2018 Taurus Limited and SHO models. The system includes a large 8-inch touch screen with smartphone-style navigation gestures like pinch to zoom and swipe, plus voice recognition. The system features HD radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

ECOBOOST V6 ENGINE
Although the Taurus’ standard 288-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is strong enough for most buyers, Ford also offers a 365-horsepower twin-turbocharged EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6. It’s standard in the all-wheel-drive SHO performance model. Zero to 60 takes about 5.2 seconds, which is quicker than a BMW 530i.

Even the base Ford Taurus SE sedan for 2018 comes well equipped, including a rearview camera and Ford’s Sync integrated music and telephone system. Also standard are 18-inch alloy wheels, 60/40-split folding rear seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power driver’s seat, steering-wheel controls for audio and cruise control, power windows with one-touch up/down functions for the driver, and Ford’s programmable MyKey system. The standard 6-speaker audio system has a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack. Standard safety features include electronic traction and stability control, dual front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags and side-curtain airbags protecting the front and rear passengers.

Ford’s new Taurus offers a number of packages and stand-alone features. For example, Limited sedan models can get a power moonroof. You can get Ford’s keyless-entry and push-button ignition system on mid-level SEL sedans, as well as the Sync 3 infotainment system with its large 8-inch touch screen. Other packages include luxuries like massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and adaptive cruise control with collision warning. There’s also a 12-speaker premium Sony audio system. An available Blind Spot Information System and Cross-Traffic Alert warn of traffic you may not notice without the extra help.

The standard engine on all 2018 Ford Taurus sedans is a 288-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The top-line Taurus SHO performance model offers 77 more horsepower and 96 additional lb-ft of torque than the standard Taurus V6, thanks to direct-fuel-injection technology and twin turbochargers. With the exception of the SE trim, all Taurus models also feature steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, providing manual control of the automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on both SEL and Limited trims and standard on the Taurus SHO.

3.5-liter V6
288 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
254 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (FWD), 17/24 mpg (AWD)

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (SHO)
365 horsepower @ 5,550 rpm
350 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,250 rpm
EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg