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2012 Ford Taurus Review

The 2012 Ford Taurus, depending on how its equipped, can play several different roles. At the base level, at about $26k, the Taurus is a big-car alternative to the likes of the V-6 HondaAccord or ChevroletMalibu. On the other hand, it could be a luxury rival to the BuickLaCrosse or ToyotaAvalon. And in top SHO guise, its a strong, tech-loaded 365-horsepower luxury performance sedan that can sticker at $45k or even higher.

From one of the front seats, the 2012 Taurus feels almost like a personal-luxury car. There are focused, defined areas for the driver and front passenger, with a wrap-around instrument panel design and a low, wide center console that firmly splits the driver and passenger sides (and actually, taking up a lot of space). The back seat is wide, with potential space for three adults, though legroom and headroom can be surprisingly tight, given theTaurus full-size exterior.

Faux-wood and chrome trim combine with good fit and finish to give it an upscale look and feel thats generally in sync with its price tag. Special badging, glossy black dash trim, and more metallic highlights inside and out help give the SHO more interior panache, while a trunklid spoiler, twin chrome exhaust tips, and different grille hint at the brawn.

The new Ford Taurus is powered by the automakers 3.5-liter V6 Duratec engine, mated to one of two available six-speed automatic transmissions, including SelectShift with shift paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. As was the case with the previous model, all-wheel-drive is optional.

The V6 motor delivers an estimated 263 horsepower and 249 foot-pounds of torque. It earns a ULEV-II emissions certification and comes paired with a choice of two new six-speed automatic transmissions. The regular car is offered in SE and SEL trim levels. Ford also launched performance-oriented SHO EcoBoost model.

Critically, the new Taurus starts at $25,170 -- which is surprisingly slightly less than the prior model. The more uplevel SEL starts at $27,370 and the top-end Limited sets buyers back $31,770.
"Lightning can strike twice," said Peter Horbury, Fords North American design director. "Like the 1986 original, the newTaurus differentiates by combining style with substance."

Taurus features a long list of high-tech features, including: Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning, Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, MyKey parental programmability, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, Rain-Sensing Wipers, EasyFuel capless refueling, Ford SYNC and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link.

TheTaurus faces strong competition from a rejuvinately field of full-size sedans, including the stylish, rear-wheel-driveChrysler 300, the luxuriousBuick LaCrosse and the value-laden Hyundai Azera