Ford aims for former glory with Taurus duo

Both the Taurus and Taurus X ride on underpinnings derived from Volvo hardware, and the influence shows in the cars’ taut, direct handling. They both steer better than their smaller siblings, the Fusion and the Edge. Customers in this segment aren’t looking for racecars, but accurate steering that responds as expected is a boon to all drivers. The gas pedal is nicely calibrated, unlike the one found in the sluggish Five Hundred, which had been set with a hair trigger in an effort to compensate for a lack of engine power.

This responsiveness helps to disguise the immense size of the Taurus sedan, which is much larger than even the newly enlarged Camry and Accord. It has the tall stance and high roof of a classic car from the ’50s, making it easier to get in and out of, and it’s easier to see out of it too.

The Taurus X, on the other hand, is smallish for a three-row crossover and it feels positively nimble in comparison to bruisers like the hot-selling Buick Enclave. The X’s third row has tolerable comfort for adults and the flip-forward second-row seats contribute to excellent third-row access. Even with its refreshed styling, the Taurus X still lags the racy looks of some of its competitors, but a new chrome grille gives the car enough flair to hold its own in the family hauler segment.

Safety is a crucial factor for family cars, and both the Taurus and the Taurus X deliver. Both are Insurance Institute for Highways Safety “Top Safety Picks,” and both earn five stars in all four categories of government crash tests. They both also feature electronic stability control to prevent crashes and a raft of air bags in case they happen anyway. And the two cars are front-wheel-drive for secure all-weather handling, with available all-wheel-drive for really bad weather. If there is any way to make the Taurus and Taurus X any safer, we don’t know what it is.

Ford has seen an uptick in sales since reintroducing the Taurus name. Actual sales are a tough measure because the full-size car segment is shrinking, the company notes, but the Taurus’s share of that pie has grown by 60 percent since it replaced the Five Hundred.

It’s easy to see why. Like the Five Hundred, the Taurus is spacious, comfortable and quiet, with sharper looks, new power and a better — if still imperfect — transmission.

So the Taurus is again a legitimate option in the big car category, and the Taurus X is a winner too, matching comfort, convenience and practicality with engaging driving dynamics and a manageable size for parking lots.

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