Somehow the Ford Taurus manages to be a rather large sedan with a tight and cramped interior. Poor packaging efficiency, led by a center console resembling the Great Wall of China and not much rear-seat room results, in an interior that feels smaller than many midsized sedans. Small windows and thick pillars add to the claustrophobic feel, making it difficult for the driver to see out. All but base trims add to the frustration with MyFord Touch's confusing and distracting controls.
Maybe some of this could be forgiven if the Taurus was rewarding to drive, but that's not the case either. It feels like a big car and comes up short on agility. At least the cabin is quiet and the ride is smooth.
Power and fuel economy are decent from the standard 3.5-liter V6, but this isn't a particularly refined powerplant. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder provides a bit more punch. The twin-turbocharged SHO adds more power and all-wheel-drive, but this sports model feels more fast than fun, lacking truly sporting reflexes.
Overall, this version of the Taurus was outdated and outclassed.