2001 FORD TAURUS Review - Base Price $18,260
All this practicality, and excitement, too.
Introduction
While not as overtly outre as the previous generation, the current Taurus remains a styling leader, sleek, fresh and contemporary, confidently leading the way to Ford's future.
But like every previous Taurus, this one grabs attention with its styling and then keeps it with its engaging combination of everyday practicality and enthusiast flair. Both of its powertrains deliver vigorous response. Its handling, while suitably smooth and comfortable, delivers a sporting crispness that will satisfy even the aspiring Formula 1 driver in the family.
The cabin is functional and attractive, with controls that are straightforward and easy to use. The materials, switchgear and interior textures have a high-quality look and feel.
Interior
Primary controls and instrumentation are admirably simple, straightforward and easy to use. Ford's well-publicized adjustable pedals ($120) make a comfortable driving position possible for even very short-legged drivers. The small-diameter, leather-wrapped steering wheel has a pleasingly thick grip. Buttons for the cruise control are mounted on the steering wheel and are easy to operate. The highly legible gauges, which include an analog speedometer and tachometer, are white-on-black. A single stalk on the left of the steering column operates the washer and wipers and the bright/dim control for the headlights. The power-window automatic-down circuit operates on the driver's-side window only, and there is no automatic-up. On the dashboard just below the tachometer is an on/off switch for the optional traction control, useful when driving with chains and/or in snow.
On the other hand, the central console containing audio and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls is an intimidating sea of similar-looking push-buttons and toggle switches. While elsewhere the Taurus is ergonomically first-rate, operating the controls on this panel requires very careful reading of the various closely spaced buttons. Among the audio controls, only the volume control is a rotary knob--it would be more convenient if the station-tuner were a twist-knob as well.
The removable six-CD changer/cassette is cleverly concealed in the center console at the driver's right elbow. This is far more convenient than the remote 12-CD changers commonly hidden in the trunk of other cars.
The center console is furnished with twin foldaway cupholders, though the swing arm meant to hold your cup in place is not as firm as it might've been. Overhead, our SE had a tilt/slide moonroof, with a difference. Opening the panel required only one touch of the button, whereupon it opened automatically. Very bright idea. But to close it required holding the button down.
Our test car had the optional five-seat layout, and the excellent front seats provided very good lateral support for a family sedan--without being too tight for the Big Guy driver. The cushions and seatbacks are more firm than cushy, but firm is usually best on long drives. Each of the lighted vanity mirrors in the two front visors features a rheostat for regulating their brightness, a novel touch.
The roomy rear compartment seats three, although the seat forms two semi-buckets and has a pull-down central armrest containing two cupholders. An HVAC duct at the rear of the center console provides climate control for rear passengers. Dual baby-seat anchors are provided on each side of the rear seat. In the SES and SEL, the rear seatback is split 60/40 and folds down, providing an enormous pass-through luggage capability for skis and other long items. The trunk is of generous size and contains the Taurus' mini-spare tire.
Walk-Around
Approaching the new Taurus at curbside, you'll first notice the muscular, forceful appearance that sets it apart from its blander-looking competitors. The grille is broad, aggressive, and unmistakably Ford-oval, grinning between the large, cat's-eye headlights. Taurus's flanks have handsomely modeled character lines, and the rear bears a resemblance to the sexy stern of the Jaguar S-Type.
Impressions
While the 2001 Taurus is rich with interesting features, no list of hardware can sum up this car's greatest strength--its behavior on the road. Its Duratec V6 is as responsive as a finger snap, delivering crisp acceleration from low revs straight through to the glass-smooth full-throttle shift point. This engine not only provides good thrust, it makes an understated but nicely throaty declaration that it means business. In the tradition of the high-performance Taurus SHO, the current SEL is a genuinely satisfying car to drive.
Automatic transmissions have been improving by leaps and bounds in the past five years, and the Taurus four-speed is no exception. Its shifts are positive, authoritative, and at the same time, almost impossible to feel. The kickdown response is not quite as quick as with some of the best European automatics, but it's still very, very good.
If you ever wonder just how important modern electronics have become, the Taurus with its powerful Duratec engine can quickly demonstrate the benefits of traction control: Simply switch off the traction control, nail the throttle, and the front tires will shriek as they claw for traction. With a powerful modern front-wheel drive package like the SEL's Duratec engine, traction control works very well, reducing wheel spin to help you better control the car.
The Taurus chassis proves an uncommonly successful home for this forceful Duratec drivetrain. Its all-independent suspension provides a smooth, impact-free ride. Unusual in a family sedan, however, Taurus uses gas-pressurized shock absorbers, so that when it is pushed in the corners, it proves stable, nimble and ready for more. Cornered hard, its body roll is moderate, and the nicely tuned variable-ratio power rack-and-pinion steering delivers a steady stream of road information. And when the turning is done, this steering system provides improved on-center response, guiding you straight down the center of your course once more.
As we learned in an emergency lane-change demonstration set up in a parking lot, the brakes bring the Taurus to a smooth stop and the ABS allows you to maintain steering control during hard braking. Braking performance was much smoother than that of the Dodge Intrepid.
With its excellent chassis and Duratec power, Taurus comes very close to being a very good sports sedan for the price of a family mid-size.
Summary
Vastly improved last year, the Ford Taurus remains more than just competent: It is a genuinely exciting family sedan. It offers little to complain about, combined with many reasons to nod and smile appreciatively. The Taurus offers very good mid-market value with excellent drivetrains, good looks, plenty of creature comforts, and the added bonus of a surprising level of driving pleasure.
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