Do all Ford Taurus have AWD?
The short answer: no. Not every Ford Taurus comes with all-wheel drive.
Across its multiple generations, the Taurus lineage has largely relied on front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive appeared only on certain modern trims and on the Taurus SHO, meaning many standard models used FWD while AWD was available selectively.
How AWD availability has changed by Taurus era
Early Taurus generations (1986–1999)
During the Taurus’ early years, the lineup was built around front-wheel drive, with no factory all-wheel-drive option on standard models. The high-performance SHO of this era did not use AWD, focusing on front- or rear-drive configurations depending on the year.
- 1986–1991 Taurus (first generation): Front-wheel drive; no factory AWD option on standard models.
- 1992–1995 Taurus (second generation): Front-wheel drive; AWD not offered on production Taurus models.
- 1996–1999 Taurus (third generation): Front-wheel drive; the SHO remained a FWD performance sedan, not AWD.
For buyers seeking AWD in the Taurus lineage, this era means you generally had to look at other model lines or aftermarket modifications rather than factory AWD Taurus models.
Modern Taurus era (2010–2019)
In the fifth generation, Ford introduced a more diverse drivetrain lineup. All-wheel drive became available on select trims, and the high-performance Taurus SHO typically involved AWD, offering enhanced traction in adverse conditions while preserving sedan practicality. The standard Taurus, however, remained front-wheel drive on many configurations.
- 2010–2019 Taurus: AWD available on select trims; most base models remained FWD, with different drivetrain options depending on year and trim.
- Taurus SHO (2010–2019): AWD was standard or readily available, providing strong traction for performance tuning and all-weather handling.
As Ford revised the lineup in the 2010s, AWD became a selling point for buyers wanting all-weather capability without stepping up to an SUV, but it was not universal across all Taurus models.
Summary
In short, not all Ford Tauruses have AWD. The older generations (1986–1999) were predominantly front-wheel drive with no factory AWD option. In the modern era (2010–2019), AWD was offered on certain trims and was effectively standard on the Taurus SHO, giving buyers options beyond the traditional front-drive configuration. Always verify the drivetrain on a specific used Taurus by checking the window sticker or VIN configuration when you buy.
