New for 2016

Changes for 2016 include Ford’s new SYNC® 3 infotainment system, a standard rearview camera on the Taurus SE model, and three new colors: Shadow Black, Blue Jeans, and Guard.

A Full-Size Sedan For The 21st Century

The Ford Taurus has been around for quite a long time, and in that time it’s morphed from a mainstream midsize sedan into a full-size model that is now one of the best examples of the breed. The Taurus is a spacious and comfortable sedan, but it also ticks the important boxes of fuel efficiency and technology.

Performance

The 2016 Ford Taurus defies stereotypes of big sedans with available powertrains that emphasize both fuel efficiency and performance. The Taurus provides the space and highway-cruising ability of a traditional American full-size sedan, but updates the concept for the 21^st century.

The standard Taurus engine is a stout 3.5-liter V6 that produces 288 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. With front-wheel drive, the V6 Taurus gets an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway),* while all-wheel drive models 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway).*

Heading in the direction of greater fuel economy, Ford also offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® four-cylinder engine. That may not seem like enough displacement for such a large car, but the four-cylinder produces an adequate 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Like the V6, this engine is offered only with a six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive is mandatory in this case as well.  The payoff is an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway).*

If performance is more your thing, take a look at the Taurus SHO. Ford has offered sporty versions of the Taurus under the SHO (Super High Output) name for generations, and the 2016 Taurus SHO carries on the tradition. It packs a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 with 365 hp and 350 lb-ft. That power goes to the ground through a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The SHO is rated at 19 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway).*

Features

The 2016 Ford Taurus is a four-door, five-seat midsize sedan. It’s available in four trim levels, priced starting from $27,110.**

Standard equipment on the base Taurus SE includes a power front seat, fold-down rear seat armrest with two cupholders, 60/40 split-fold rear seats, chrome-tipped dual exhaust, Easy Fuel® cap-less fuel filler, folding power mirrors, LED taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and more.

The Taurus SEL incorporates applicable standard equipment from the Taurus SE, and adds features like dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, outside temperature display, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, remote start, SiriusXM® satellite radio, and supplemental parking lamps.

The Taurus Limited is arguably the most luxurious model, with added features like ambient lighting, wood-grain interior trim, Intelligent Access with pushbutton start, memory system for the driver’s seat, power-adjustable pedals with memory, wood-and-leather trimmed steering wheel, SYNC® 3 infotainment system, heated and cooled front seats, perforated leather seat trim, and 19-inch wheels.

The Taurus SHO adds the twin-turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 engine, aluminum pedals, HID headlights, rear spoiler, 20-inch wheels, and various model-specific trim elements.

Design

The 2016 Ford Taurus boasts a distinctive exterior design that is both upscale and sporty. The front end is defined by a bold grille, while creases in the bodywork give the sides a muscular look. A tall beltline helps cut the height of the side glass, giving the Taurus a sleeker, lower profile. At the back, standard LED headlights and a chrome-tipped dual exhaust complete the look.

The Taurus’ stylish exterior also pays dividends for interior comfort. The high beltline camouflages the car’s height, allowing for a more spacious interior without making the Taurus look awkward. There is enough room for a fairly high seating position, offering greater visibility and confidence for drivers used to high-riding SUVs.

For 2016, the Taurus also gets Ford’s latest SYNC® 3 infotainment system. The successor to the MyFord Touch system used in the previous Taurus and various other Ford models, SYNC® 3 boasts a more streamlined layout, more responsive touchscreen display, and more intuitive voice commands.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Ford Taurus includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, rearview camera, S.O.S. Post-Crash Alert system, and a full array of airbags. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping system, and reverse sensing system.

Verdict

The 2016 Ford Taurus is a modern interpretation of the classic American full-size sedan.

Be sure to contact us online or visit Mills Ford Chrysler at 4100 U.S. 71, Willmar, MN 56201 to schedule a test drive.

*EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy or other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.

**Starting MSRP excludes destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration.

Image Credit: Ford