Interested in avoiding the rush to cram yourself into a small car? Need room for the family or just to stretch out? Are you afraid that you have to compromise size for fuel economy? The 2013 Ford Taurus is an example of how smart design and technology can satisfy your interest, deliver your need, and answer to your fears.
For 2013 Ford made significant revisions to the Taurus taking it to an all-new level of comfort, style, and performance. Improvements are applied to the exterior, interior, and powertrain. The first time I drove the new Taurus, I knew that Ford nailed the formula in so many ways. If Ford keeps this up, one day we may be comparing the Taurus against the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz models.
Ford calls the 2013 Taurus the smartest sedan. The Taurus adds the following new systems this year: Torque Vectoring Control, which uses smart brake control to help the car confidently accelerate through curves. Curve Control applies break pressure if the vehicle enters a turn too quickly, helping to stabilize the car. Active Grille Shutters reduce aerodynamic drag at higher speeds helping to improve fuel efficiency.
Then there’s the new advanced 2.0-liter four cylinder with EcoBoost® that delivers 31 mpg highway with the power of a six-cylinder. The standard 3.5-liter V6 adds twin independent variable camshaft timing, which increases the fuel economy by 2 mpg on the highway and improving horsepower by an additional 25. The Taurus SHO version is equipped with the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost® V6, which is one of the smoothest accelerating vehicles on the road.
The 2013 Ford Taurus is available in four trim levels starting with the lowest priced SE ($27,395), SEL FWD ($29,595), SEL AWD ($31,445), Limited FWD ($33,795), Limited AWD ($35,645), and the SHO ($39,995).
Ford’s Smartest Sedan gains IQ points in the interior with a quieter, more comfortable, and new convenience and technology enhancements for the driver and passengers. New high quality soft-touch materials are dressed throughout the cabin. An advanced driver connect system can be operated by the touch of a heated steering wheel mounted 5-way button. The MyFord Touch displays on an 8-inch screen that guides users through the voice activated radio, climate control, phone, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation and displaying images from the rear camera.
The instrument cluster is half gauge, half video screen. The front seat cushions are comfortable and both front and rear passenger seats furnish plenty of legroom. The rear seats fold down 60/40 creating additional storage capacity. (Speaking of storage, the center console contains numerous compartments for holding your valuables and tech devices). My test vehicle had heated seats in both the front and rear. We wouldn’t want the rear passengers to have cruised around with cold buns! There is even a power outlet for the back-seat passengers.
My 2013 test Taurus was equipped with Active Park Assist, which allows the Taurus to scan parallel parking spaces and calculate trajectory and physical size to determine if the opening is large enough to fit the vehicle. When an adequate space is found a beep sounds and a message is delivered asking the driver to remove their hands from the wheel. The driver is now released to control the speed and braking while the Active Park Assist controls the steering and perfectly parks the Taurus every time.
Steering has been improved as all 2013 Taurus models now come standard with electric power-assisted steering featuring a quicker ratio and a solid-mounted rack for improved response and vehicle dynamics. The brakes are improved with a larger master-cylinder and a specially-tuned brake booster. The front suspension belongs to MacPherson struts while the rear is SR1 independent multilink with coil-over shock absorbers. That tech-talk translates into a very confident and comfortable ride.
Room for improvement:
- 6-Speed Automatic Trans – works great, but some competition already has an 8-speed, which helps improve fuel economy
Cool Features:
- SOS Post-Crash Alert System™
- Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision warning with brake support
- Blind Spot Information System with cross traffic alert
- Ambient Lighting
The standard safety equipment for the 2013 Ford Taurus is plentiful and I don’t have enough space to list all of them. A few of the most important one are: AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control, second-generation first row airbags and side seat airbags, Safety Canopy® side-curtain airbags, Belt-Minder® for driver and first-row passenger, seat belt pretensioners, Smart key entry, Adjustable pedals with memory, power rear sunshade, Backup Camera, Curve Control and Torque Vectoring and reverse sensing. (Note, a number of these items come at an additional cost).
In Summary – Since its re-introduction in 2010, the Ford Taurus has a new pedigree. The 2013 Taurus is a family sedan with family size room and advanced tech features that will please even Silicon Valley critics. One test drive and the 2013 Ford Taurus will surprise you with its spirit.
Specifications
2013 Ford Taurus Limited FWD
Base price: $33,000 as driven: $39,680 (including destination and optional packages)
Engine: 3.5-Liter 6 cylinder
Horsepower: 288 @ 6,500
Torque: 254 foot pounds @ 4,000
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Drive: Front-Wheel Drive
Seating: 5-passenger
Turning circle: 39.7 feet
Cargo space: 20.1 cubic feet
Curb weight: 3,969 pounds
Fuel capacity: 19 gallons
EPA mileage: City 19 / Highway 29
Wheel Base: 112.9 inches
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
Also consider: Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, and Toyota Avalon
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