CTC Review: 2008 Ford Taurus X

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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Ford has been attempting a turn around of sorts for the last two or three years.  Starting with the Fusion, then the Edge, they have been attempting to add a little bit more style, content and pizazz to their vehicles.  Last year at the Detroit autoshow they launched the new Ford Five Hundred which later became the Taurus.  More...

[stodge]

This isn't a blog post; it's a rehash of Ford's marketing and specifications. Tell us about the vehicle as you view and drive it!

[wing]

It is?  I actually wrote every last word from my head and didn't read ANY marketing stuff at all!  Should Ford hire me? hehe -- anywho....

Just wait stodge, I always spew the specs on Day1, kind of to get them out of the way.

[Zeekster64]

Seems better than the underpowered mess that the Freestyle was. But for $35,000+ I can think of better vehicles to spend my money on.

[lucid0703]

Would it be a better choice than many CUVs? $35K+($12K)...Many good CUVs come into my head..

[Mitlov]

Would it be a better choice than many CUVs? $35K+($12K)...Many good CUVs come into my head..

Unlike most similarly-priced CUVs, the third-row seats are comfortable for adults.  In my mind, that's a huge advantage of the Taurus X.

[lucid0703]

Would it be a better choice than many CUVs? $35K+($12K)...Many good CUVs come into my head..

Unlike most similarly-priced CUVs, the third-row seats are comfortable for adults.  In my mind, that's a huge advantage of the Taurus X.

http://www.cars.com/crp/vp/images/08ford_taurusx/row3.jpg
Wow, I just found a picture of third row seats, they do look very roomy.

[The Fuzz]

I'm very interested in this one. Seems to be a nice blend of form and function for someone in my situation.

[Michael]

I have a Freestyle LTD and it is much better then any competitor. Rarely do reviews comment on the mini-van like hole in the floor behind the 3rd row. I can fit 9 - 24 cases of pop before even coming to the height of the floor that others start with. Then I drop my shelf on it to protect them and can continue to load more things. All wheel drive is great with a little more power being sent to the rear for a more exciting winter drive when desired.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Now this is a true crossover.

Too bad it's underappreciated in the market, because most reviewers almost sound surprised on how positive they are on it after sampling.

I'll have to climb into the 3rd row sometime. I've sat up front but nowhere else, and does appear to have great space packaging. The extra power solves the biggest gripe from many.

[The Fuzz]

The extra power solves the biggest gripe from many.

And the lack of CVT.

[Cord]

The Taurus X and the Freestyle before it are very much underrated vehicles. Like most reviewers, most shoppers are very pleasantly surprised by what they see. It seems Ford's problem is getting the word out on this one.

[Blueprint]

As a minivan owner (and needing one), I also like the packaging of the Freesaurus Rex.  The new nose looks good, too.  It's a worthy alternative to Pilot and Highlander.  The base car is the one to get, as depreciation will hit that Limited pretty hard.

And now, Ford's brillant marketing dpt is bringing the same-format "Fairlane" crossover next year (what's the final name again ?).

[jcon]

Ford Flex


I think depreciation is the reason to avoid this vehicle (until you can pick one up used) but I'll be watching this space for your updates James.

[Brigitte]

I can fit 9 - 24 cases of pop before even coming to the height of the floor.

Ummm... and the vehicle runs on Michael's own gas, I take it?    

****

As I understand it, the Taurus X will also be added to company car fleets to replace mini-vans, where the employees have a choice of different types of vehicles based on pecking order and work needs.

[Cortina]

The more I read Wings Blog, the more I keep thinking I would rather have a Volvo or even a Subaru. B/C this just seams so overpriced its not funny and anyone with fifty thousand dollars to spend are they going to even be looking at ford? Make the Taurus top out around 30K and maybe it would make a lot more sense and maybe more people would buy aTaurus X. The design of the crossover/wagon is nice, if a bit conservative. 

[bwhiting]

I think the cvt was the downfall of the freestyle - not so much the 3.0L. The pairing propelled it 0-60 in just over 8 secs in most tests and most owners I've heard from have no real gripes. It also got pretty dang good mileage for something that size (It's bigger inside than it looks from the exterior).
Barely used 06's and 07's are dirt cheap in the US...

[Cord]

Interesting that James didn't like the washer/wiper function where it gives a single wipe a few seconds after it washes and wipes. I wonder if it's a matter of what you are used to. That is one feature I have come to love on Fords and I am always looking for it when I drive other makes. It just seems natural that after a good wash there is bound to be fluid draining back down the windshield a few seconds later. I've always hated when there is no provision for just a single wipe without having to turn the wipers on and off manually.

[Mitlov]

Re: the "dated green" instrument panel.  Red, amber, and green light doesn't hurt night vision, if I recall correctly.  Other colors do.  The blue backlighting of my VW's gauges is gorgeous, but actually not as safe as green.

Saab has stuck with green backlighting for the same reason.

[wing]

Cord, I'm sure it works great in the summer but here with all the salt it just dries up the windshield and causes another wipe.