Base Price: $27,365
Price as Tested: $37,749
Why We Drove It: The Ford Taurus X performs extremely well in crash tests, and garners a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.
 
EPA Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
JDPower.com Observed Fuel Economy: 15.4 mpg
EPA Carbon Footprint Rating: 10.2 tons of CO2 output per year
 
FRONT IMPACT
SIDE IMPACT
ROLLOVER
NHTSA:
Driver
Passenger
Driver
Passenger
FRONTAL OFFSET
SIDE IMPACT
REAR IMPACT
IIHS:
Good
Good
Good
Top
Safety
Pick
In surveys that J.D. Power and Associates has conducted with verified owners of the 2008 Ford Taurus X, the people that actually own and drive one told us:


 The speedometer has visible [gradations] at 10 [mph] range but no markings at 5 [mph] range which makes it hard to know at a glance if are going 55 or 65. 


 [I appreciate] the power of the 3.5-liter V6. I drove a V8 for 10 years prior and I think this [V6] engine has amazing power and acceleration. 


 The [design of the] heating and air conditioner [makes it difficult to] operate them safely; they are too low on dashboard. I can t drive and change settings [easily]. 


 All of the control buttons on the dash and the steering wheel are flat, so they re hard to use without looking at them. 


 It is difficult to read the speedometer and trip computer in [bright] sunlight and impossible with sunglasses. 


 The driver s seat slides too far back when opening [the driver s] door, which interferes with the second-row passenger. 


 The power and handling of [the] vehicle, [as well as the quality of the] interior, gives the impression of a luxury car. 


 This vehicle has the smoothest, nicest ride. I love driving it. 


 The seats are extremely comfortable; no back aches or leg cramping. 


 [The Ford Taurus X has an] extremely comfortable ride, seats, and tuning of the suspension. 


 [There is] tailgate noise in the rear and the transmission [shifts are] sometimes rough and heavy. 


Top 3 Things Owners Like About the Ford Taurus X:
1. Appearance of exterior paint
2. Front seat head/leg/foot room
3. Ease of getting in/out of vehicle


Top 3 Owner-Reported Problems with the Ford Taurus X:
1. HVAC Controls   Difficult to use/Difficult to see and read/Poor location
2. Excessive Fuel Consumption
3. Front Audio /Entertainment System   Controls difficult to use/Poor location