The Taurus is available as a four-door sedan or a station wagon. The sedan comes in four versions: LX ($19,180), SE ($19,695), SES ($21,020) and SEL ($22,920). Optional trim packages include a new Sport package for the SES sedan. The wagon is available in SE ($21,345) and SEL ($23,170) versions. A choice of two 3.0-liter V6 engines is available. All models come with a four-speed automatic transmission.
LX is the base model, but it offers a reasonable list of standard equipment including second-generation, dual-stage airbags; air conditioning; speed-sensitive power steering, remote-controlled mirrors, power locks, protective body-side moldings, a tachometer, AM/FM radio, six-passenger seating, LATCH anchors and tethers for child's seats, two-speed intermittent windshield wipers, 16-inch wheels, even grocery bag hooks in the trunk.
SE adds cruise control, a cassette player, remote keyless entry with perimeter lighting, aluminum wheels.
Ford's Vulcan V6 provides power for the LX and SE. This 3.0-liter 12-valve V6 uses a traditional overhead-valve design. The Vulcan V6 is rated at 155 horsepower and 185 pounds-feet of torque. Our past experience with this engine has been generally positive. Although not particularly quick from a standstill, once rolling it delivers more than adequate performance, along with a nicely rorty exhaust note. A flexible fuel version of the Vulcan engine can run on E-85 ethanol, regular unleaded gasoline or any combination of the two in the same 18-gallon fuel tank.
SES is a popular choice and comes in standard and deluxe variations. SES adds an in-dash single CD player, front bucket seats with six-way power and a manual lumbar adjustment on the driver's side. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard. Also standard is Ford's Duratec V6, a more sophisticated engine with double overhead cams working 24 valves. This engine also displaces 3.0 liters, but revs higher and produces 200 hp and 200 lbs.-ft. of torque. The Vulcan engine is good, but take one drive with the more responsive Duratec and you may never be satisfied with less.
The Sport package ($290 on the SES Deluxe) includes monochromatic body treatment with a body-color spear in the grille and a body-color applique on the rear deck lid. It comes with five-spoke aluminum sport wheels, a rear spoiler, special fender badging, pewter brushed interior trim, two-tone black and gray sport seats and special floor mats.
SEL, available in Deluxe and Premium editions, adds seven-spoke machined aluminum wheels, a six-CD changer, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dark paledo wood-trimmed interior, automatic electronic temperature control, adjustable pedals and keyless keypad entry.
Wagons are better equipped than their sedan counterparts. For example, the SE wagon features four-wheel disc brakes (an improvement over the rear drum brakes of the SE sedan) with ABS, a rear anti-roll bar, a six-way power driver's seat, a cleverly adjustable luggage rack, and a unique bumper shape with step pads at the rear. The SEL wagon adds seven-spoke machined aluminum wheels, a six-CD changer, keypad entry and automatic climate controls.
Key options for many models include a MACH audio system ($345), anti-lock brakes ($600), Cellport communications system ($350), a power moonroof ($895), and adjustable pedals ($120).