Ford Taurus

Name: 2008 Ford Taurus
Brand: Ford

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

After a hiatus during which it was known as the Five Hundred, the Taurus returned to the marketplace. A new engine made this revised Taurus quicker and more responsive, but fuel economy took a hit. Still, all of the attributes that made the car beloved in the first place returned. Just as did its predeccesors, this Taurus offers a comfortable ride, ample interior room, easy access and a huge trunk to remain a solid -- if unexciting contender in the segment. It also racked up some impressive crash-test results.

2008 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Ford Taurus

vs. Similar Cars

Buick Lucerne

Chevrolet Impala

Toyota Avalon

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

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2008 Large cars Ratings

2008 Ford Taurus

$2,900 - $3,150

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Buick Lucerne

$3,525 - $4,550

EPA MPG 20 mpg

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2008 Chevrolet Impala

$3,550 - $5,025

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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2008 Chrysler 300

$3,500 - $7,125

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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$3,450 - $8,550

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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2008 Ford Crown Victoria

$4,200 - $4,900

EPA MPG NA

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$3,250 - $3,725

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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$3,225

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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2008 Mercury Grand Marquis

$4,450 - $4,750

EPA MPG 20 mpg

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2008 Mercury Sable

$2,900 - $3,025

EPA MPG NA

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2008 Nissan Maxima

$3,275 - $3,900

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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2008 Pontiac G8

$5,075 - $9,275

EPA MPG NA

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2008 Toyota Avalon

$5,650 - $6,400

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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See All Large cars Ratings

Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

3.5-liter V6 (263 hp)

6-speed automatic

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2013-2019

2013 Redesign Year

The 2013 freshening brought variable cam timing to the 3.5-liter V6 for improved performance and better fuel economy. An optional 240-hp, 2.0-liter, turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is offered as well. On the safety front, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, Active Park Assist and backup sensors are all available. Still though, while we appreciate the quiet interior and comfortable ride, cramped interior accommodations and poor outward visibility continue to plague Ford's family sedan. The higher-performance SHO model has standard all-wheel drive, and its 365-hp, turbocharged V6 makes it quick, but it isn't an engaging car to drive.

2010-2012

2010 Redesign Year

The car's basic platform was reworked for 2010, but the attempt to make Taurus more stylish and upscale in feel and appearance doesn't quite translate. While interior quality and curb appeal are improved, practicality takes a nosedive, with a cramped interior and poor driver visibility. 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. While the cabin is quiet and the ride is smooth, this version of the Taurus is outdated and outclassed. As a result, the model's overall test score is below our threshold for recommendation.

2008-2009

2008 Redesign Year

After a hiatus during which it was known as the Five Hundred, the Taurus returned to the marketplace for model year 2008. A new engine makes this revised Taurus quicker and more responsive, but fuel economy took a hit. Still, all of the attributes that made the car beloved in the first place return, including its comfortable ride, ample interior room, easy access and huge trunk. Optional power-adjustable pedals help shorter drivers maintain a comfortable and safe distance from the steering wheel's airbag. Crash test results are quite impressive.

2000-2007

2000 Redesign Year

The style freshening for 2000 added needed safety equipment, including side airbags. The ride is firm, and cornering is sound -- but not agile. The interior is roomy, comfortable, and quiet with adequate storage. Control layout is improved over that of the previous version of the car and the rear seatback can be folded to increase cargo capacity. The Taurus wagon is one of the few inexpensive seven-passenger vehicles of its time. On the downside, the turning circle is wide and braking is unimpressive. This version of the car also lacks rear-seat head restraints.