How fast does a Ford Taurus SHO go from 0 to 60?

In stock form with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and all-wheel drive, the Taurus SHO typically reaches 60 mph in about 5.0 to 5.3 seconds. Real-world tests vary a bit, but most drivers can expect a mid-five-second sprint under ideal conditions.

Exploring this question involves looking at how Ford tuned the Taurus SHO for performance, how different model years and drivetrains affected acceleration, and what reviewers have measured on the track versus what owners experience on the street. The answer isn’t a single number—the car’s speed from 0 to 60 depends on year, options, tires, and testing conditions—but the modern SHO is generally in the five-second territory, while earlier SHO models used different powertrains and weighed more, yielding slower times.

What makes the Taurus SHO fast

The Taurus SHO’s speed is built on a combination of engine output, traction, and transmission strategy. It uses a turbocharged EcoBoost V6 paired with all-wheel drive to deliver power to the pavement effectively, along with driver-selectable modes that tailor throttle response and shift behavior.

Before we dive into model-year nuances, here are the main factors that influence 0–60 performance on the Taurus SHO:

• 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 producing around 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque (depending on year and market)


• All-wheel drive with traction-enhancing software and torque management


• Six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift modes


• Drive modes that optimize throttle, transmission logic, and stability control for faster launches


• Vehicle weight, tire grip, and ambient conditions (temperature, elevation, surface)

In practice, the combination of turbocharged power and AWD tends to yield strong launches from a standstill, especially with a clean surface and proper tire grip. The car’s electronic nannies aim to prevent wheelspin while maximizing forward motion, which helps explain why the SHO tends to land in the mid-five-second range rather than a high-four-second sprint.

Model-year context and how times vary

2010–2019 Taurus SHO (EcoBoost V6, AWD)

The modern Taurus SHO family, produced from 2010 through 2019, centers on Ford’s 3.5L EcoBoost V6 paired with all-wheel drive. In most independent tests, 0–60 mph times fall in the roughly 5.0 to 5.3-second window, depending on test equipment, weather, and whether the launch was optimized. Reviewers note that all-wheel drive aids straight-line traction, especially on less-than-perfect pavement or cooler tires.

For context, Ford’s SHO package emphasized sportier tuning, distinct suspension calibrations, and performance-oriented steering and brakes designed to complement the engine’s output. The result is a sedan that feels quick off the line for a family car, but not a dedicated sports car—yet still distinct from its non-SHO Taurus siblings in acceleration and grip.

1996–1999 Taurus SHO (3.4L V8, first Yamaha-powered generation)

The mid-1990s SHO lineup used a 3.4-liter V8 developed with Yamaha, producing around 240 horsepower in later years and a different chassis setup from the later EcoBoost cars. 0–60 mph figures for this generation typically landed in the mid-to-high six-second range, reflecting the older generation’s power output and heavier, less aero-efficient platform compared with the modern facelifted Taurus.

While these numbers represent a different era of performance, they illustrate how the SHO badge has long been about a blend of power, handling, and a distinctive driving character, rather than one standout spec.

1990–Early 1990s Taurus SHO (3.0L Yamaha V6, original SHO era)

The original SHO models used a Yamaha-built 3.0-liter V6 with a focus on high-revving performance and distinctive suspension tuning. In 0–60 tests from the era, these cars generally clocked in around the high six to low eight seconds, depending on spec and condition. That places them firmly in a slower category than the later EcoBoost-equipped SHO sedans, reflecting the evolution of the model line over time.

Taken together, the 0–60 times across Taurus SHO generations highlight how Ford’s performance strategy shifted—from older, aspirational V6/V8 combos to the modern turbocharged, all-wheel-drive setup with electronic control aimed at delivering consistently strong acceleration in everyday driving.

Summary

For the contemporary Taurus SHO, expect 0–60 times around 5.0–5.3 seconds in stock form with AWD and the EcoBoost V6. Real-world results vary with tires, surface grip, and testing methodology. Older SHO generations offered progressively slower acceleration due to different engines and weights, illustrating the model’s evolution toward a brisk, but not prodigious, mainstream performance sedan.

In the end, the Taurus SHO delivers a compelling blend of practical speed and sport-oriented character, making it a standout option in its class during its production era.

What is the top speed of the Taurus SHO?

The top speed of a Ford Taurus SHO varies by model year, with the 2013 model reaching approximately 150 mph. However, factory-equipped models often have a 120 mph speed limiter that can be removed or increased with tuning. Older models have different top speeds, such as the 1989 version at 143 mph, while the 1997 V8 model reached 136 mph.
 

• 2013 Model: Approximately 150 mph, though it's subject to the factory speed limiter. 
• 2010-2019 Models: The factory-set speed limiter is 120 mph, but aftermarket tuning can increase this to 140 mph or remove it completely. 
• 1989 Model: 143 mph. 
• 1997 V8 Model: 136 mph. 

It's important to remember that these are factory or modified specifications and actual top speeds can be affected by factors such as road conditions, maintenance, and vehicle modifications.

How much horsepower does a Taurus SHO 3.5 twin-turbo have?

365 hp
The Taurus SHO was powered by a 365 hp twin-turbocharged version of this engine (EcoBoost V6) shared with the Lincoln MKS and MKT.

Is the Ford Taurus SHO a fast car?

Yes, the Ford Taurus SHO is fast, especially the later models, which could accelerate from 0−600 minus 600−60 mph in as little as 5.2 seconds. The SHO (Super High Output) was known for its impressive straight-line speed thanks to powerful engines, like the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 in the 2010-2019 models. While its handling wasn't as sharp as dedicated sports cars, its power made it a formidable "sleeper" sedan that could keep up with many sportier vehicles.
 
You can watch this video to see a review of the 2016 Ford Taurus SHO: 57sTheTopherYouTube · Sep 9, 2023
Performance highlights of the Taurus SHO

• Acceleration: The 2019 SHO could hit 606060 mph in about 5.2 seconds, comparable to vehicles like the Honda Civic Type R. 
• Engine: The final generation was powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. 
• Traction: An all-wheel-drive system was standard, which helped put the power to the ground and provided good traction. 
• "Sleeper" performance: The SHO was a powerful, full-size sedan that often went unnoticed, but was capable of fast acceleration both from a stop and at higher speeds. 
• Older models: Even earlier generations were fast for their time. The first-generation (1989–1991) models with a Yamaha-designed V6 could go from 0−600 minus 600−60 mph in about 6.6 seconds. 

This video highlights the potential for easy power gains with modifications to the Taurus SHO: 52sBixmationYouTube · Apr 30, 2025

Is the SHO a sleeper car?

The Ford Taurus SHO is a true sleeper. Most people often forget that it exists, packing a 3.5 EcoBoost V6 with 365HP. Check out how it almost takes out a Ford Mustang!!!