As with other Ford cars, the 2019 Ford Taurus covers a wide swath of needs and budgets from basic family hauler to the performance-enhanced SHO. In the crossover-car struggle, large sedans have been hit particularly hard. Ford announced it is basically getting out of the car-building business. That even the suite of driver-assist/safety technologies Ford calls Co-Pilot360, standard on other smaller cars like the Fusion and the Focus for 2019, isn’t on the Taurus speaks volumes about Ford’s lack of interest in its big sedan.
However, for someone looking for plenty of passenger and cargo room in a decent-looking package, the Taurus nicely fills the bill. The levels of comfort and convenience are also big draws.
What’s New for 2019?
There are no notable changes for the 2019 Ford Taurus.
What We Like
Supple, quiet ride; ample trunk space; plenty of available tech; perfect crash-test scores
What We Don’t
Snug front seats; surprisingly limited rear space
How Much?
$28,795-$43,970
Fuel Economy
The Taurus comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 288 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque. This is linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the default setup is front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is an option in the two middle trim levels and standard in the highest trim level.
With FWD, fuel economy is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 18 miles per gallon in the city, 27 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg in combined driving. AWD drops those figures to 17 mpg city/24 mpg hwy/19 mpg combined.
The AWD SHO enjoys a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 developing 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. It achieves 16 mpg city/24 mpg hwy/19 mpg combined.
Standard Features & Options
The Ford Taurus is available in the SE, SEL, Limited and SHO trim levels. Prices include factory delivery charge.
The SE ($28,795) has 17-in alloy wheels, a capless fuel filler, LED taillamps, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, remote keyless entry, rear-seat climate control vents, a 6-way power driver’s seat (with manual recline and lumbar), automatic headlights, a rearview camera, MyKey, the Sync voice command system, Bluetooth and a CD stereo system with two USB ports and an auxiliary audio input.
The SEL ($31,225) adds 18-in wheels, heated mirrors with courtesy lighting, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start and satellite radio.
The Limited ($38,305) brings 19-in wheels, auto high beams, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry/ignition, push-button start, power-adjustable pedals, leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats with 10-way adjustment and driver memory function, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-in color LCD touchscreen, HD audio, blind spot monitoring, upgraded Sony audio and driver-configurable gauges.
The SHO ($43,970) comes standard with a sport-tuned suspension, 20-in wheels, the twin-turbo V6, AWD, xenon headlights, dual exhausts, a rear spoiler, an auto-dimming side mirror on the driver’s side, special leather upholstery, aluminum pedals and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. A Performance package comes with various pieces of track-ready hardware, including upgraded brake pads, track-tuned stability control and high-performance tires.
Other options (depending on trim level) include a Sony audio system, a navigation system, a power moonroof, active front-seat bolsters, push-button start, a heated steering wheel, leather seating, heated rear seats, a power rear sunshade, a self-parking system, lane-keeping assist, front collision alert with brake assist and adaptive cruise control.
Trunk space is a huge 20.1 cu ft.
Safety
The 2019 Ford Taurus features antilock disc brakes and a full complement of side- and front-impact airbags, along with other standard safety features such as electronic stability control, rollover sensors and a post-crash alert system. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the Limited and the SHO. Adaptive cruise control, as well as collision warning with brake assist optional on those two higher grades.
In government crash tests, the Taurus received a perfect five stars in front, side and overall impact protection. It was just as successful in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) test program, where it took the highest score of Good in the moderate-overlap frontal offset, side-impact, roof strength and rear-impact tests. It hasn’t been subjected to the small-overlap front crash test.
Behind the Wheel
In general, the Taurus is remarkably comfortable, especially when loaded with extras such as heated/cooled leather seats. Unfortunately, the gigantic (albeit stylish) center console cuts into long-distance driving comfort by curtailing knee room and making front passengers feel like they’re sitting in a spaceship.
The rear seats are relatively tight by large sedan standards, and headroom may be cramped for taller passengers because of the oddly elevated rear seating position. Also, the thick pillars and high beltline affect outward vision.
The Taurus has respectable handling for its size, particularly the SHO with its sport-tuned suspension. But a smooth, quiet ride is the real point of cars like this, which is where the Taurus delivers. The standard V6 engine is fine, but the SHO model’s V6 might spoil you.
Other Cars to Consider
2019 Buick LaCrosse — One of the best cars Buick has ever made. Roomy and classy. Too bad General Motors is discontinuing it.
2019 Chrysler 300 — Perhaps the closest competitor, the Chrysler 300 offers a similar model range (mainstream trim levels complemented by a performance package), and pricing is comparable.
2019 Toyota Avalon — Totally redesigned for 2019, the Avalon still offers no option for AWD, but the ride is comfy. The Avalon reaches quality levels that are almost Lexus like. Also available as a hyper-efficient hybrid.
2019 Chevrolet Impala — Chevrolet has reinvented its large sedan to be more than a rental-fleet stalwart. Get it while you can, because Chevy is discontinuing it.
2019 Kia Cadenza — Spacious and comfortable, the Cadenza is yet another example of Kia’s growing confidence and sophistication.
Used BMW 5 Series — You can find a certified pre-owned (CPO) 5 Series for the price of a high-end Taurus. BMW’s solid CPO warranty makes it a tempting proposition.
Autotrader’s Advice
The sporty SHO might be tempting to some, but since the regular Taurus makes a virtue of not being sporty, we’d be more inclined to go for an SEL version with a few options like the upgraded infotainment system.
