Given past experience, I really shouldn’t be lusting after the 2011 Ford Taurus Limited I just had on test for a week. Not only do I remember when the Taurus used to be a “rental car” special but I also used to be a Ford Service Advisor during a period where cost cutting and quality woes were a fact of life. I will put it this way-my first day on the job was the day the Explorer/Firestone tire recall was announced.
Back then Ford assumed nobody wanted a fun to drive, stylish, full size sedan because the SUV/truck market was booming. But somewhere along the line Ford got its mojo (and corporate thinking) back in line, so this 2011 Taurus is nothing like I remember from my Service Department days. I don’t want to use an old Ford advertising slogan here but I think the following is an appropriate way to feel nowadays about the company that Henry built.
So what is the tag line that I am referring to? Is it the ever immortal “Quality is Job One?” Well, I must admit that quality and Ford Motor Company can now truthfully be mentioned in the same sentence. In fact, Ford just beat Toyota in the most recent J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Survey and routinely equals Honda.
But the ad I was thinking of says that if you haven’t driven (or seen the interior of) a Ford lately you really should give them another look. I would dare even say that if you are shopping for a full size luxury sedan (Buick LaCrosse, Acura TL, Lexus ES350, Hyundai Genesis, Cadillac CTS); you might find just what you are looking for in the 2011 Ford Taurus Limited. It really is that good.
Exterior Styling
This is the one part of the design that got somewhat mixed reviews from passengers but I thought that the rather conservative and angular lines were very Germanic in nature. Or, shall I say, what German cars used to look like before they started getting ugly. I am talking to you, BMW.
The 2011 Ford Taurus doesn’t have one bad viewing angle and to my eyes, that is the hallmark of good design. It also means that it won’t age quickly like other luxury sedans that use “trendy” styling cues and slashes through the bodywork. Again, I keep picking on BMW.
So to sum up, Ford really did a great job with the exterior of the Taurus simply by not overdoing it. The 2011 Taurus may not shriek “buy me now” the minute you lay eyes on it but over time you will notice an air of dignified class that fits it like a tailored suit.
Interior Design and Quality
This is, hands down, the best interior I have found in any Ford to date. Quite frankly, it is the 2011 Taurus Limited’s interior that takes what could just be another ordinary full size family sedan and makes it into something that feels very special.
The dashboard is very unique in that it cants very low (38 degrees to be exact) towards the windscreen for an airy feeling greenhouse yet all of the controls are still within easy reach. In fact, my claustrophobic father said that the Taurus had the most claustrophobia-friendly interior that he had ever seen. I am pretty sure Ford’s marketing department won’t be using that fact to promote the car but it does give you a sense of how roomy the Taurus feels.
The easy to use navigation system (well worth it at $1,895) has Sirius travel link which gives you gas prices for the stations nearest to your location, local movie times and even sports scores (even for golf). The navigation system also has a built in 10 Gigabyte hard drive for song or photo storage. Furthering my desire to live full time in the 2011 Taurus Limited was the fact that you can play DVD movies on the center screen when the vehicle is parked.
All of the knobs, gauge pods, door handles and even the meaty automatic transmission shift lever are covered in chrome trim which mixes brilliantly with the dark wood trim/leather that featured on my particular test vehicle. There is ample storage space in the glovebox, center console and a number of other lidded cubbies all of which are illuminated by a 7-color ambient lighting system at night.
Now, I am sure I am going to get hate mail for this last statement but I think the 2011 Ford Taurus equals or betters the interior quality of some Audi products. There is that same feeling of sturdiness mixed with style and just a hint of austere modernity. The 2011 Ford Taurus Limited is a true interior design tour de force for Ford Motor Company.
My only issue is with Ford’s insistence on using one extra long stalk to the left of the steering wheel for turn signal/wiper control. It just lacks symmetry since there are not stalks on both sides of the wheel. But that, I fear, is just a rather irrational personal preference that allows me to find one thing about the Taurus Limited’s interior to complain about.
Pricing and Features
The Taurus Limited starts at $31,770 and as such it comes standard with amenities like leather seats, dual zone automatic climate control, Sync voice activation, premium AM/FM/6-disc audio system, a back-up camera, an excellent iPod integration system, 19-inch chrome alloy wheels, Sirius satellite radio, power windows, keyless entry, power driver (with 2 position memory) and passenger seats and Ford’s new capless fuel tank system. Yes, the 2011 Taurus doesn’t come with a gas cap for the 19 gallon tank and it doesn’t need one. Why did no one figure this out before?
My test model was heavy on the options (as you can see from the list at the end of the article) but there were a few of these luxuries that quickly crossed over into “gotta have it” territory. As I said earlier, the $1,895 navigation system is a must as is the crisp sounding 12-speaker Sony audio system. But it only comes as part of a $2,000 or $2,500 option package.
My advice? Pick the $2,000 package (which also gives you a blind spot warning system developed by Volvo, push button start and a nifty automatic highbeam function that detects adjusts headlamp power depending on driving conditions) and live without the heated/ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. That is, unless you live somewhere like Michigan or Arizona. Then I could see why those features might come in handy.
The front “Multi-Contour Seats” ($595 option) were a neat addition as they have a massage function but they are by no means necessary. The adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation system was another unnecessary option ($1,195) that also managed to scare the crap out of me with noises and lights when it thought an impact was imminent. Suffice it to say, it is a bit too jumpy for Southern California’s harried freeway driving conditions.
Driving Impressions
Now you know the 2011 Taurus Limited is comfortable, luxurious, smartly styled and expertly crafted. But what you might never expect is how much fun this rather large four door sedan is to drive. Although many car companies claim it, Ford really nailed an excellent compromise between sporty and comfortable with the ride/handling compromise.
The Limited also differentiates itself from lesser models with a revised performance final drive ratio for the unfailingly brilliant six-speed automatic. This excellent self-shifter always manages to keep the 3.5 liter 263 horsepower/249 lb. feet of torque V6 engine in the right gear no matter if you are cruising or attempting a dangerous two lane Big Rig passing maneuver.
Power from this engine was plentiful at all speeds and for most drivers it negates the need to upgrade to the turbocharged variant in the SHO. This engine is also very frugal as it returned 23 miles per gallon during its week with me. This agrees with the EPA estimated numbers of 18 city/27 highway.
The 2011 Ford Taurus Limited is also a refined, effortless and soothing highway road trip companion but do keep in mind that it has more than just one trick up its sleeve. Pull off onto a twisting back road and you are treated to brilliantly communicative steering, a rip snarling growl from the V6 mixed in with a suspension/19-inch tire setup that offers tenacious amounts of grip.
The end result is a car that not only shrinks itself around the driver like a precision handling cocoon when the need arises but it is also one that can haul a family of five (and their junk) in full size luxury sedan comfort. Seriously, the trunk is about the size of some West African nations (20.1 cubic feet) and can easily accommodate four sets of golf clubs.
To sum up, you will never be bored behind the wheel of a 2011 Ford Taurus Limited and never again will you dread a family road trip. In fact, you will probably start making up reasons why you have to drive the 2011 Ford Taurus somewhere. Anywhere. I know I did.
How Dog and Kid Friendly is It?
The rear seat is very wide with plenty of room for two kids in car seats (or dogs in harnesses) that don’t really like each other all that much. This interior spaciousness can help cut down on kid or dog fights and that gigantic trunk might just be large enough to use as living quarters for your mother in law.
Final Thoughts
I am a 35 year old single male and am definitely not the marketing demographic for this luxuriously equipped full size family car. Not by a long shot. But I would buy a 2011 Ford Taurus with my own money. In fact, I actually miss it so much that I am thinking of giving up my apartment and moving into a 2011 Ford Taurus Limited full time. Lord knows it is more fun to drive than my one bedroom.
Vehicle Tested: 2010 Ford Taurus Limited
Vehicle Provided by: Ford Motor Company
Base Price: $31,770
Price as Tested: $38,735 including destination
Options on Tester: Package 303A-$2,500 (heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, power rear sunshade, adjustable pedals, automatic wipers/headlamps, push button start, blind spot warning system, 12-speaker premium Sony audio system), Adaptive Cruise Control/Collision Mitigation System-$1,195, Voice Activated Navigation-$1,850, Multi-Contoured Sport Seats-$595.
Engine: 3.5 liter V6
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 263 horsepower/249 lb. feet of torque
EPA Economy: 18 city/27 highway
As tested fuel economy: 23 miles per gallon
Fuel Tank: 19 gallons
Fuel Required: Regular Unleaded
Trunk: 20.1 cubic feet
0-60: 7.0 seconds (estimated)
Safety: (IIHS)-(Front, side, rear impact protection ratings of “Good” or top score)
(NHTSA)-(Rollover Protection: 4 Stars)
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
5 years/60,000 miles powertrain
Assembled in: Chicago, Illinois
