2013
Ford
Taurus Review
(3 Stars)
Reviewed by Automotive on
The 2013 Ford Taurus is a four-door, full-size sedan with a handsome look – both inside and out, a long list of cutting-edge options and standard features, and capable performance. Four trims levels are available: SE, SEL, Limited, and SHO. Built in Chicago, Illinois, the Taurus was a favorite among Americans in the 1980’s, but was eventually overshadowed in the 2000’s by sedans offering more features and better performance. This year, substantial upgrades made by Ford aim to revive its appeal. Drivers get the satisfaction of a pleasant experience behind the wheel, as long as they can get used to the difficult-to-use interface. Passengers will love its spacious seats that provide a comfortable ride.
New For 2013
A face-lifted 2013 Taurus debuted in the first half of 2012. A few months later, Ford announced a new engine option, the turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost, with which the Taurus gets up to 32 mpg on the highway. The already high-performance Taurus SHO has a new performance package with a firmer suspension and larger brakes.
Exterior
The 2013 Ford Taurus has approximately a 203-inch length, 76-inch width, 61-inch height, 113-inch wheelbase, and 4,000 pound curb weight. It has a sleek design that is sporty and attractive. In front, grooves in the hood flow into the top of a nicely-shaped grille with the Ford logo in the center. On its side is a pair of wraparound, wiper-activated, automatic headlamps. Down below is a body-colored bumper, a small air dam, and pockets at the corners. A side view magnifies its metallic paint, which shines magnificently. A character line spans the length of the doors. It rides on 17-inch painted aluminum wheels. Limited and SHO models have 19-inch premium luster nickel painted aluminum wheels. A rear view features LED taillights, another appearance of the Ford logo in the center of the trunk door, a body-colored bumper, and dual exhaust pipes. Exterior packages available add enhancements, such as a sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlamps, and a rear spoiler.
Interior & Cargo
The interior of the 2013 Ford Taurus is classy-looking, spacious, and comfortable. It is roomy enough to fit five passengers. A huge advantage is extensive head and legroom provided in both the front and rear. In front, there are six-way power-adjustable, reclining, cloth seats, divided by a console that includes an armrest and storage bin. In the rear, there is a 60/40 flat-folding seat with a fold-down armrest in the center. A large trunk provides sufficient cargo room, measuring at about 20 cubic feet.
The Taurus offers many high-tech features. A MyFord Touch interface includes the ability to enter commands for various navigation, phone, and audio functions via touch controls, voice commands, and buttons located on the steering wheel. This system is intuitive and very useful, but its learning curve makes it difficult to get the hang of. There is also touch-pad keyless entry, SYNC, MyKey parental features, and adaptive cruise control. Limited and SHO models get the addition of leather seating and a universal garage door opener. Optional packages make available heated/ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 12-speaker Sony sound system.
Safety
Every single 2013 Ford Taurus come equipped with anti-lock brakes on all four wheels, along with electronic brakeforce distribution. There are side-impact airbags in the front seats, side curtain airbags for the rear seats, and overhead airbags to protect occupants during a side collision or rollover. For improved handling, an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system and traction control is included. Front and rear seats have headrests to help protect against injury from whiplash. Rear seats have child seat anchors, assisting the transportation of little ones. All seatbelts have pretensioners that automatically tighten to help restrain passengers in the event of an accident. Rear doors are built with child safety locks, which prevent unwanted exits from the vehicle.
Driving Experience
The 2013 Ford Taurus comes standard with a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that spits out 290-horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. Average fuel economy is 19/29 mpg city/highway driving and 23 mpg combined. Optional is a new turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that pumps out 240-horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Fuel efficiency is significantly improved when this motor is under the hood, boasting averages of 22/32 mpg city/highway driving and 26 mpg combined. SHO models carry a twin turbo, 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that cranks out an impressive 365-horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Average fuel economy is 17/25 mpg city/highway driving and 20 mpg combined. All engines are mated to a smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and auto-manual. Acceleration is good with all models, but is especially powerful in the SHO, which is capable of sprinting from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds.
On the road, the Taurus drives like a big, heavy sedan. It is especially apparent when moving around corners, where it exhibits lumbering characteristics. Therefore, it is more at home on interstates, rather than on winding county roads. Ride quality is pretty comfortable, primarily due to a well-tuned independent strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar and coil springs teamed with an independent multi-link rear suspension with a stabilizer bar and coil springs. Handling has been improved, gifted with the addition of a mild-torque vectoring system. Electrical power steering is adequate. Ford has updated the brakes to help shorten stopping distances.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Ford Taurus
- Buick Lacrosse
- Chevrolet Impala
- Dodge Charger
- Nissan Maxima
Expand full summary
2013 Taurus SEL Sedan Vehicle Overview
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