Is a Ford Taurus SHO fast?
Yes. The modern Taurus SHO is quick for a full-size sedan, while the original SHO was fast for its era but not by today’s standards.
Two eras, two speeds
Ford’s SHO badge has marked two distinct performance chapters for the Taurus. The late-1980s/early-1990s version aimed to blend family-car practicality with spirited acceleration, while the 2010s model leaned on turbocharged power and all-wheel-drive capability to deliver genuine straight‑line speed in a large four‑door sedan.
First-generation Taurus SHO (1989–1995)
Performance snapshot and context for the era.
- Engine and power: Yamaha-built 3.0-liter V6 producing roughly 220–235 horsepower and about 200–235 pound-feet of torque, depending on the year.
- Transmission and drivetrain: Front-engine, front-wheel drive; five-speed manual was standard in most years, with an automatic option in some variants.
- Performance: 0–60 mph typically in the 7.0–8.0 second range; top speed around 140 mph for typical configurations.
- Character: Sport-tuned suspension and a sharper steering feel for its time, focused on balanced handling rather than exotic speed.
In this generation, the SHO offered spirited acceleration and chassis tuning that made it stand out among family sedans, but it’s not comparable to modern performance benchmarks.
Second-generation Taurus SHO (2010–2019)
Performance snapshot of the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive era.
- Engine and power: 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with twin turbochargers, rated around 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.
- Transmission and drivetrain: 6-speed automatic with intelligent all-wheel drive available across SHO models; designed for quick launches and stable high-speed handling.
- Performance: 0–60 mph typically in the 5.0–5.2 second range; quarter-mile in the mid-13s to low-14s; electronically limited top speed around 149 mph.
- Character: A refined, spacious sport sedan with strong mid-range torque, strong highway passing power, and confident stability—especially with the right tires.
With modern turbocharging and AWD, this SHO demonstrated serious speed for its size, though fuel economy and daily ride comfort were trade-offs for enthusiasts seeking speed.
End of production and legacy
Ford discontinued the Taurus, including the SHO variant, after the 2019 model year as the brand shifted emphasis toward SUVs and crossovers. The SHO remains a standout in the used-performance market for buyers seeking a fast, practical four-door sedan from Ford.
Summary
Bottom line: The Taurus SHO is fast, especially the 2010–2019 EcoBoost version, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in roughly five seconds and run mid‑13s in the quarter mile. The original SHO was quick for its era and remains a notable performance icon, but it does not match modern turbocharged speed. Taken together, the SHO offers a compelling blend of speed, practicality, and everyday usability for a four-door sedan, with the newer model clearly the faster option of the two.
