When writing about the 2018 Ford Taurus, I’m almost immediately influenced by my own (admittedly limited) experience with Ford’s mainstay sedan.
Growing up, in the early 90’s, my older sister had a black Ford Taurus. If my memory serves me correctly, it was a ’91 that she picked up after a quick trade-in and drove it around for a couple of years in college. Truth be told, I wasn’t very auto-obsessed at that point but, even then, the Taurus just kind of struck me as kind of ‘meh.’
Now, there was nothing at all ‘wrong’ with the car. It looked good, ran well, was comfortable, safe and dependable. But perhaps it was that complete absence of impact, or emotional connection, that made it so forgettable. Looking back, I don’t think I’d ever given a thought to subsequent model years, at any point in my life. The Ford Taurus simply didn’t exist within the scope of my car-buying considerations.
In those years since the face of the automotive industry has changed. While I had grown up in a world where sedans and minivans were the choice of family haulers, crossovers and SUVs now rule supreme. In many ways, this has left the traditional sedan segment in a precarious position, made even more challenging by the evolving demand for more sustainable transportation (as indicated by subcompact offerings, as well as hybrids and EV’s).
With all this in mind, I have to give credit where it’s due. While it’s not uncommon for the top tier of any line-up to reflect luxury aspirations, the formerly ‘meh’ Taurus now looks damn good. Updated front and rear fascia are evocative of upscale design trends, And with a sport-tuned suspension, the combination of all-wheel assurance and choice of standard or EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 powertrains prove enticing.
While the Taurus still may not be my automotive ‘cup of tea,’ what do you think?
