Is a Ford Taurus 4 wheel drive?
The Ford Taurus is not a typical four-wheel-drive vehicle. Most models are front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is offered only on a limited number of variants or packages. The Taurus lineup was discontinued after the 2019 model year, so there is no current AWD Taurus in production.
To understand how this plays out in practice, it helps to look at how Taurus drivetrains have evolved across generations and what buyers should know when shopping for an example with AWD.
Key points about Taurus drivetrain configurations:
- Predominant configuration across Taurus generations has been front-wheel drive (FWD).
- All-wheel drive (AWD) has been rare, typically limited to a few special variants or packages rather than a standard option.
- The Taurus nameplate was retired after the 2019 model year, so Ford no longer offers a four-wheel-drive Taurus as part of its current lineup.
For those shopping used Tauruses, verify the drive system before purchase using the window sticker or VIN, since some listings may not clearly state AWD even if it exists.
Drivetrain by era
Across its history, the Taurus was almost universally configured as front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive was not a common or standard offering and appeared only in a handful of exceptions or special variants, rather than as a regular option across the model line. Ford ceased Taurus production in 2019, so there is no new AWD Taurus on sale today.
Early to mid-era Tauruses (1986-2004)
These generations were almost exclusively front-wheel drive, with no factory AWD option in standard trims. The focus was on interior space, efficiency, and modern drive dynamics rather than all-terrain capability.
Late-era and crossover variants (2005-2019)
Front-wheel drive remained the default for mainstream Taurus models, while all-wheel drive remained a rare or optional configuration on only a few special variants or packages. If AWD is a priority, buyers should carefully verify the specific trim and model year, as it was not common across the lineup and is not available in current production.
Notable considerations for buyers
Because AWD was not standard, the easiest way to confirm a Taurus’ drivetrain is to check the original window sticker or the vehicle’s VIN, which will indicate whether AWD is installed. Be aware that some used listings may be incomplete or ambiguous about the drive system, so a quick dealer or mechanic confirmation is prudent before purchase.
Summary
In short, most Ford Tauruses are front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive exists only in limited, non-standard cases and was never a universal feature of the Taurus lineup. With the model having been discontinued after 2019, there is no current AWD Taurus in Ford’s catalog. If AWD is essential, verify the specific model year and trim or consider other Ford models that offer AWD as a standard or widely available option.
