Test Drive review: 2010 Ford Taurus is full of surprises

[jpd80]

From what I remember of the Falcon's styling, they just need to redo the lower bumper to have the trapzoldal look that the newer NA Fords have???

 

I think you guys switched from Bold American to more Kinetic style:

[timmm55]

Sounds like Honda has USAToday in their back pocket

[exploder48]

I thought he was driving the SHO AWD.

 

Had an AWD SHO here in the dealership yesterday. Drove it, loved it. Interior "cockpit" is awesome, feels like a jet plane. Engine is so smooth and quiet it's unbelieveable. Can't wait to get more here. Screw the "automotive journalists" the real test is the customer.

[silvrsvt]

I think you guys switched from Bold American to more Kinetic style:

 

 

I know thats the point I'm making most new NA Fords have the lower grill/bumper intake opening that FOE products have now, not so much the grills which still have bold american styling, except maybe the Taurus which is a mix of the two.

[battyr]

It is obvious that The Taurus would have torques steer. Even the RevoKnuckle has torque steer. To me the issue should not be whether 1. the torque steer is an issue, and 2. how it compares to other FWD/AWD cars. How does it compare to the Audi's and Acura's?

 

I thinks the Taurus's success will come from getting sales from Chrysler 300 buyers. With or without torque steer, how does the Taurus compare to the 300? The Taurus is a big car. How does it compare to the biggest Buicks.

[taxman100]

Just read all the comments on the USA Today website related to that review - it suggests to me that keeping the Taurus name and moving the vehicle upmarket was a mistake.

 

I had an Avalon for a week in California last Thanksgiving - it had torque steer as well, plus the the general FWD crackerbox feel that all front wheel drive vehicles have. You can mitigate that, but you cannot completely remove the inherent weaknesses in front wheel drive vehicles.

 

Instead of adding traction control, AWD, computer controlled antislip, etc., just skip all the technology and buy a simple rear wheel drive platform, and call it a day.

 

Of course, you make money in the car business by convincing people to give up their perfectly good older car for a new one by suggesting you don't love your family, or you death to your family is near if you don't have the newest safety or convenience feature.

[silvrsvt]

Just read all the comments on the USA Today website related to that review - it suggests to me that keeping the Taurus name and moving the vehicle upmarket was a mistake.

 

plus the the general FWD crackerbox feel that all front wheel drive vehicles have. You can mitigate that, but you cannot completely remove the inherent weaknesses in front wheel drive vehicles.

 

 

And we should take your blatantly obvious prejudices as a non-bias option?

 

I've had 2 FWD cars and 2 RWD cars...and the difference between them in overall driving isn't as huge as you make them out to be.

[the_spaniard]

Well, from an outside perspective:

 

What I see here is an auto review written by a guy that likely drove the vehicle. He indicated there was pronounced torque steer. Then I see a barrage of pro-Ford people on the largest pro-Ford forums saying this guy is lying...none of whom have admitted to actually driving the car for themselves.

 

That's pretty much par here on BON.

 

The guy could be full of it. You guys are pretty much mostly fanboys (RELAX-your supposed to be- this is the place for it.) I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in between. Now if no other reviews really cited excessive torque-steer, I'd take his claim with a grain of salt...up until the point I actually drove one to see for myself. Then I would probably come on here to post the guy is full of crap....or agree with him. Until then, no one here can say whether the car has excessive torque-steer, so it's kinda pointless, no?

 

Has anyone else mentioned the paddle-shifters were poor?

[MY93SHO]

Well, from an outside perspective:

 

What I see here is an auto review written by a guy that likely drove the vehicle. He indicated there was pronounced torque steer. Then I see a barrage of pro-Ford people on the largest pro-Ford forums saying this guy is lying...none of whom have admitted to actually driving the car for themselves.

 

That's pretty much par here on BON.

 

The guy could be full of it. You guys are pretty much mostly fanboys (RELAX-your supposed to be- this is the place for it.) I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in between. Now if no other reviews really cited excessive torque-steer, I'd take his claim with a grain of salt...up until the point I actually drove one to see for myself. Then I would probably come on here to post the guy is full of crap....or agree with him. Until then, no one here can say whether the car has excessive torque-steer, so it's kinda pointless, no?

 

Has anyone else mentioned the paddle-shifters were poor?

 

No spaniard, what I posted was that another journalist had a completely different experience than the lamewad from USA Today. And he's not the only journalist that feels this way.

 

Oh no, USA Today doesn't like the car! Time to pack it it! Nevermind that there are many others that love the car! Their opinions mean nothing compared to USA Today, the Cliff Notes of newspaper journalism. Ooh,Ooh I found ONE article on the 2010 Taurus that has negative aspect in it! See, there's proof the car sucks!

 

How dare pro-Ford people find Pro-2010 Taurus information to contradict the 'US magazine' of national newspapers!

 

The reason I posted the comments from Popular Mechanics is because this ONE article was giving the negatards fuel for one of their 'the sky is falling' thread hijacks.

 

Yeah, I haven't driven the car yet. Neither have you or the negatards so lets not let this turn into another"it's a failure/wrong car' thread like was tried with the Fusion and Flex.

[Mark B. Morrow]

Just read all the comments on the USA Today website related to that review - it suggests to me that keeping the Taurus name and moving the vehicle upmarket was a mistake.

 

I had an Avalon for a week in California last Thanksgiving - it had torque steer as well, plus the the general FWD crackerbox feel that all front wheel drive vehicles have. You can mitigate that, but you cannot completely remove the inherent weaknesses in front wheel drive vehicles.

 

Instead of adding traction control, AWD, computer controlled antislip, etc., just skip all the technology and buy a simple rear wheel drive platform, and call it a day.

 

Of course, you make money in the car business by convincing people to give up their perfectly good older car for a new one by suggesting you don't love your family, or you death to your family is near if you don't have the newest safety or convenience feature.

 

 

That family safety issue is a big sales tool.

 

Tommy: Uh, what my associate is trying say is... Our new brake pads are really cool. You're not even gonna believe it. Like, let's say you're driving along the road with your family.

[Picks up model car]

Tommy: You're drivin' along, la-de-da, woo. All of a sudden there's a truck tire in the middle of the road. And you hit the brakes. EEEEEEEEE! Whoa, that was close. Ha-ha. Now let's see what happens when you're driving with the "other guy's" brake pads. You're drivin' along, you're drivin' along, the kids start shouting from the back seat, "I gotta go to the bathroom, Daddy!" "Not now, damn it!" Truck tire. EEEEEEEE! I CAN'T STOP!

[slams model car into lighter]

Tommy: There's a cliff! AAAAAHH! And your family's screaming,

[sets car on fire]

Tommy: "Oh my God, we're burning alive!" "No! I can't feel my legs!" Here comes the meat wagon.

[imitates siren]

Tommy: And the medic gets out and says, "Oh my God". New guy's around the corner puking his guts out.

[imitates retching]

Tommy: All because you want to save a couple extra pennies. And to me, it doesn't...

Executive with Toy Cars: Get out. Now!

Tommy: [Richard tries blowing out flaming car] Do you validate?

Executive with Toy Cars: No!

Edited July 12, 2009 by Mark B. Morrow

[PREMiERdrum]

That family safety issue is a big sales tool.

 

Tommy: Uh, what my associate is trying say is... Our new brake pads are really cool. You're not even gonna believe it. Like, let's say you're driving along the road with your family.

[Picks up model car]

Tommy: You're drivin' along, la-de-da, woo. All of a sudden there's a truck tire in the middle of the road. And you hit the brakes. EEEEEEEEE! Whoa, that was close. Ha-ha. Now let's see what happens when you're driving with the "other guy's" brake pads. You're drivin' along, you're drivin' along, the kids start shouting from the back seat, "I gotta go to the bathroom, Daddy!" "Not now, damn it!" Truck tire. EEEEEEEE! I CAN'T STOP!

[slams model car into lighter]

Tommy: There's a cliff! AAAAAHH! And your family's screaming,

[sets car on fire]

Tommy: "Oh my God, we're burning alive!" "No! I can't feel my legs!" Here comes the meat wagon.

[imitates siren]

Tommy: And the medic gets out and says, "Oh my God". New guy's around the corner puking his guts out.

[imitates retching]

Tommy: All because you want to save a couple extra pennies. And to me, it doesn't...

Executive with Toy Cars: Get out. Now!

Tommy: [Richard tries blowing out flaming car] Do you validate?

Executive with Toy Cars: No!

 

[/thread win]

[ANTAUS]

Awhile back I posted my review of a fwd Flex and I stated the torque steer was not acceptable in that vehicle. I'll wait to test an AWD model or SHO and see. Torque steer is not something I'll settle for in any way shape or form. Although I haven't heard about such a complain with the Audi A8. Which is why I figured in Awd form it would cure it.

[rmc523]

Awhile back I posted my review of a fwd Flex and I stated the torque steer was not acceptable in that vehicle. I'll wait to test an AWD model or SHO and see. Torque steer is not something I'll settle for in any way shape or form. Although I haven't heard about such a complain with the Audi A8. Which is why I figured in Awd form it would cure it.

 

I agree with your assessment of the torque steer on the Flex. That's one of the biggest reasons I chose AWD. Now, that said, I'd never driven a FWD vehicle before, so my assessment of it may not be an entirlely good account of the torque steer. I will say that AWD almost completely, if not entirely, elminates the torque steer.

[BrewfanGRB]

I read this:

 

•What? Remake of Ford's big four-door sedan. Available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and as SHO high-performance model with AWD.

 

and then this just below:

 

•How much? Base SE, FWD only and aimed at fleets, starts at $25,995 with $825 shipping. SEL starts at $27,995 (FWD) and $29,845 (AWD). Limited is $31,995 (FWD), $33,845 (AWD). High-performance SHO (FWD only) starts at $37,995.

 

Then I closed the tab and tossed the whole fucking article. Either the author or his editor is an idiot. If you can't decide within 5 bullet points of each other whether the SHO is AWD or FWD only, then I don't believe a single thing you say.

 

The whole article is a great big mish-mash of back and forth. Sometimes he's driving the SEL Limited and sometimes he's driving the SHO. It's next to impossible to figure out which is which.

 

:chairshot:

Edited July 12, 2009 by BrewfanGRB

[rmc523]

I read this:

 

•What? Remake of Ford's big four-door sedan. Available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and as SHO high-performance model with AWD.

 

and then this just below:

 

•How much? Base SE, FWD only and aimed at fleets, starts at $25,995 with $825 shipping. SEL starts at $27,995 (FWD) and $29,845 (AWD). Limited is $31,995 (FWD), $33,845 (AWD). High-performance SHO (FWD only) starts at $37,995.

 

Then I closed the tab and tossed the whole fucking article. Either the author or his editor is an idiot. If you can't decide within 5 bullet points of each other whether the SHO is AWD or FWD only, then I don't believe a single thing you say.

 

The whole article is a great big mish-mash of back and forth. Sometimes he's driving the SEL Limited and sometimes he's driving the SHO. It's next to impossible to figure out which is which.

 

:chairshot:

 

I didn't even make it that far.......I knew he couldn't keep the models straight...

[silvrsvt]

To further throw fire on the whole Torque steer thing...parents have a 08 Sable that I've driven a couple times and maybe its just me, but whatever torque steer that the car had wasn't an issue and I drive a RWD car every day, so I would def notice a huge difference in the two. I don't see how much it would have changed with the '10 Taurus. I've driven Escorts and Foci that have had more Torque steer to the point that you had to manhandle the steering wheel when you stomped on it.

[the_spaniard]

No spaniard, what I posted was that another journalist had a completely different experience than the lamewad from USA Today. And he's not the only journalist that feels this way.

 

Oh no, USA Today doesn't like the car! Time to pack it it! Nevermind that there are many others that love the car! Their opinions mean nothing compared to USA Today, the Cliff Notes of newspaper journalism. Ooh,Ooh I found ONE article on the 2010 Taurus that has negative aspect in it! See, there's proof the car sucks!

 

How dare pro-Ford people find Pro-2010 Taurus information to contradict the 'US magazine' of national newspapers!

 

The reason I posted the comments from Popular Mechanics is because this ONE article was giving the negatards fuel for one of their 'the sky is falling' thread hijacks.

 

Yeah, I haven't driven the car yet. Neither have you or the negatards so lets not let this turn into another"it's a failure/wrong car' thread like was tried with the Fusion and Flex.

 

Jeez, calm down.

 

And your point being what? How many cars are reviewed positively by every single critic? When did I say anything about USA today being the automotive authority on anything? There is no reason to believe that the car won't be good...and I certainly didn't suggest otherwise.

 

YOU make it a big deal by blowing up over one negative review in the face of many positive reviews. (Honestly, how many negative reviews of the 2010 Taurus are there?) That's the sign of a fanboy. You can't stand to hear one negative thing about any vehicle. It bothers you so much you have to post about it, then label people as "negatards" if they question your logic. What I mentioned before, was that it's ok to be a Ford fanboy here. This is the place for it. If that's your bag great, just don't try to convince anyone you are objective. The two don't jive. I try to not judge vehicles either way until I drive them. I don't give a crap about any media rag, positive or negative.

 

Just remember, if you, I, or anyone at any rag anywhere thinks the car is great doesn't amount to a hill of beans. If it doesn't sell, it's not a success. Ford is on a role lately, so let's hope people are interested.

Edited July 12, 2009 by the_spaniard

[chromehorn]

Unless something really dramatic has changed between the '08, '09's and the '10 model, the author of the article is just plain biased or has no idea what real torque-steer feels like. My '93 SHO had some pretty pronounced torque-steer. Under full throttle from a standing start, things were pretty manageable until the wheels stopped spinning. At that time you had better have a good idea where the wheels were pointed because you were going there really friggin' quick. The typical auto mags at the time were amazed at how well the SHO's managed torque-steer. As bad as those early SHO's were, they were nothing compared to some other fwd cars of that general era that had lots of HP (for the time) that were true white knuckle rides. The Shelby tuned GLH Dodge Omni had a reputation for being an absolute nightmare to handle. IIRC, the common feeling at the time was that the most HP a fwd car could handle was about 225. Having said that, my '08 fwd Taurus has little or no hint of torque-steer. Whether the traction control is on or off, the car pulls hard and straight. In fact, with TC off it will leave two black marks the length of the car. Progress is a good thing, but often not appreciated W/O some historical benchmark to compare it too.

Edited July 12, 2009 by chromehorn

[RichardJensen]

Jeez, calm down.

OTOH, seriously, a big "What?" to a guy complaining about torque steer when Car and Driver didn't see it and when Edmunds (home of the 'go ahead and flame me fanbois' editor-in-chief) didn't see it.

 

Article is also pretty poorly written, but that's par for the course with Jim Healy.

 

Of all the auto reviewers out there only Dan Neil and Warren Brown appear to have passed Comp 301, and of the two only Warren Brown takes his job seriously.

Edited July 13, 2009 by RichardJensen

[rkisler]

OTOH, seriously, a big "What?" to a guy complaining about torque steer when Car and Driver didn't see it and when Edmunds (home of the 'go ahead and flame me fanbois' editor-in-chief) didn't see it.

 

Article is also pretty poorly written, but that's par for the course with Jim Healy.

 

Of all the auto reviewers out there only Dan Neil and Warren Brown appear to have passed Comp 301, and of the two only Warren Brown takes his job seriously.

 

And, unfortunately, Warren Brown has recently retired from his full-time duties at the Washington Post. Read "The End of a Road and a Long Journey". He does say he will continue to review cars.

 

Warren Brown

 

Most unfortunate. He was one of the few journalists who at least had sense enough to ask people to "stop and think" about the issues when D3 were being beaten up repeatedly by the media. His editorials on the contributions of the U.S. auto industry in lifting generations of African Americans and poor southerners out of poverty to the middle class were eloquent. The other essays in the link above are good reading. He was brave enough to take the overwhelming negative posts to his thoughts.

[RichardJensen]

He's also big enough to admit when he's wrong.

 

Can you imagine an article like this coming from anyone at Edmunds, C&D, MT, or (snort) Farago @ TTAC:

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...1000949_pf.html

 

DAYTONA BEACH -- With smoke from nearby forest and brush fires clouding the International Speedway here, I retreated to my hotel room to breathe filtered air and write this confession.

 

It is a simple matter: Ford is right and I am wrong.

 

It apparently makes perfect sense for Ford to hold on to its Mercury Division, the elimination of which I have advocated for several years.

 

Although it is terribly difficult for me to admit this -- so convinced was I of the rightness of my position -- it makes even more sense for Mercury to target women in its product development and marketing strategies.

 

This recantation is painful. I hate admitting that I'm wrong after investing so much passion, so many words, spoken and written, in asserting that I'm right. But I cannot ignore what I've seen and heard, and cannot dismiss or otherwise ignore what I've learned.

[BrewfanGRB]

I thought I read it in this article, but I guess not. Anyway, I could swear I read somewhere that the inserts for the seats on the SHO were imitation or fake suede. I've SAT in a pre-production SHO and it FELT like suede, but is it real?

 

(I suppose I've answered that--if it feels and acts real, then I guess it doesn't matter if IS fake). So is it a high-quality "fake" like the "leatherette" in BMWs? Or is it really real?

[kyle]

I can attest that the torque steer was pretty bad in the FWD Flex, at least to me. That said, it's the first time I'd driven a FWD vehicle, so I was not used to it, so I may be exaggerating the torque steer's affect.

 

 

The first time you have driven a "front wheel drive vehicle" Where the hell have you been for the past 30 years!!! Read the article and have not driven one so can't really comment about how it drives.

 

I am up in Asheville a lot for work where all these articles are coming from-saw many Taurus's running around town for almost a week-thought it looks pretty nice on the road-but can't disagree with some of the styling-Ford seems to be reaching pretty far in some details that they would of never done in years gone by.

 

Think this thing is going to sell very well though.

[kyle]

OTOH, seriously, a big "What?" to a guy complaining about torque steer when Car and Driver didn't see it and when Edmunds (home of the 'go ahead and flame me fanbois' editor-in-chief) didn't see it.

 

Article is also pretty poorly written, but that's par for the course with Jim Healy.

 

Of all the auto reviewers out there only Dan Neil and Warren Brown appear to have passed Comp 301, and of the two only Warren Brown takes his job seriously.

 

 

Richard-so now we are defending Car and Driver? Really you can't be serious!!

 

I agree with you his essay style-pretty hard to read at times! The guy jumps around-have read his articles for ever and he will start to nick pick something as small as a spot for his cell phone but really don't think the guy is prejudice against any one car-not everyone is going to like the Taurus.

 

Spainard-this is par for the course-you just have to wade through all the smoke and mirrors! Any negative or perceived negative comments are dealt with as quickly as a anti-Hitler comment in Germany during WWII.

[rmc523]

The first time you have driven a "front wheel drive vehicle" Where the hell have you been for the past 30 years!!! Read the article and have not driven one so can't really comment about how it drives.

 

I am up in Asheville a lot for work where all these articles are coming from-saw many Taurus's running around town for almost a week-thought it looks pretty nice on the road-but can't disagree with some of the styling-Ford seems to be reaching pretty far in some details that they would of never done in years gone by.

 

Think this thing is going to sell very well though.

 

I'm only 19.....relax. And I had driven my mom's Expedition, BMW 335, or my dad's F-150. That's why/how I'd never driven a FWD vehicle until I firs.....I take that back, the Edge was the first FWD vehicle I'd driven.

Edited July 14, 2009 by rmc523