Is Ford Taurus a fast car?
In general, no—the Ford Taurus is a full-size family sedan focused on space, comfort, and everyday practicality. However, the Taurus SHO variant is fast for a sedan of its size, delivering performance that approaches traditional sports sedans from the early 2010s.
The Taurus name carries a long history in Ford’s lineup, evolving from an economy-friendly family car to a modern large sedan with a dedicated high-performance version. In the 2010s, Ford introduced the Taurus SHO, which用了 a turbocharged EcoBoost V6 and sport-oriented hardware to deliver notably quicker acceleration and higher top speeds than the standard Taurus. Since 2019, Ford has ceased U.S. production of the Taurus as a traditional passenger car, shifting focus to newer models and other segments. This article examines how fast the Taurus is across its variants and what that means for buyers today.
Performance snapshot
The following figures summarize the two main variants most buyers encountered in the U.S. market.
Base Taurus
Key performance figures for the standard Taurus family sedan.
- Engine: typically a 3.5-liter V6 (naturally aspirated), broadly rated in the low-to-mid 260s horsepower range depending on model year.
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic (SelectShift); front-wheel drive, with some all-wheel-drive availability in certain years/options.
- 0-60 mph: generally in the roughly 6–7 second range, depending on equipment and year.
- Top speed: usually around 120–130 mph as governed by standard setups.
For daily driving and highway merging, the base Taurus offers ample coordination and comfort, but it is not designed for outright speed.
Taurus SHO
Key performance figures for the high-performance variant.
- Engine: 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 producing about 365 horsepower and around 350 lb-ft of torque.
- Drivetrain: all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, with a sport-tuned chassis and upgraded brakes in many years.
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
- 0-60 mph: typically around 5.0–5.2 seconds, depending on year and conditions.
- Top speed: electronically limited to roughly 150 mph.
The SHO elevates the Taurus into the realm of quicker, more engaging sedans for enthusiasts who still want practical space and comfort.
Historical context and current status
Ford discontinued the Taurus for the U.S. market after the 2019 model year, marking the end of a long-running family sedan that had seen multiple redesigns since its 1986 debut. The Taurus SHO remained the performance-focused variant of the lineup and remains the closest thing the Taurus family offered to a true sports sedan, thanks to its EcoBoost V6, AWD, and sport-oriented handling characteristics. In today’s market, buyers seeking speed in a large Ford or similar segment often consider other models (new or used) or shift to performance-oriented midsize sedans or sportier big sedans from competitors.
Summary
Bottom line: The standard Ford Taurus is not a fast car; it’s built for comfort, space, and value. If you want a Taurus that feels quick, the SHO variant delivers genuine performance, with strong acceleration and high speeds for a full-size sedan. Since the model’s U.S. run ended in 2019, buyers seeking similar performance have to look beyond the Taurus family to newer Ford products or rival brands.
Author’s note
Performance figures can vary by model year, transmission tuning, and drivetrain configuration. Always check the specific vehicle’s factory specifications and independent test results for the exact numbers.
What was the fastest Ford Taurus?
The fastest Ford Taurus is the 2019 Taurus SHO, which accelerates from 000 to 606060 mph in just 5.25.25.2 seconds. This final model was equipped with a 3.53.53.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and a four-wheel-drive system. Previous SHO models, like the one with the unique 3.43.43.4L V8 engine, were also very fast for their time, but the later twin-turbo V6 was the quickest production version.
This video discusses the performance and history of the Taurus SHO: 1mHagertyYouTube · Jul 1, 2021
- 2019 Ford Taurus SHO: This is the fastest production model, achieving 0−600 minus 600−60 mph in 5.25.25.2 seconds thanks to its 3.53.53.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and all-wheel drive.
- 1997-1999 Ford Taurus SHO: While the 2019 model is faster, this generation was notable for its unique 3.43.43.4-liter V8 engine, which gave it a 0−600 minus 600−60 mph time of around 6.96.96.9 seconds according to some tests.
This video reviews the 2019 Ford Taurus SHO and its performance: 56sTheTopherYouTube · Sep 9, 2023
Do police drive a Ford Taurus?
The Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (FPIS) was introduced as the sedan of the Ford Police Interceptor range for the 2013 model year, based on the sixth generation Ford Taurus.
Is the Ford Taurus a fast car?
The 2017 Ford Taurus is no slouch with a standard 288-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. That's a lot of power, and the new Taurus has plenty of stomp to get you up that hill or merged onto the Interstate. It's no sports sedan and it won't slay a BMW 5 Series in the curves but getting up to speed is never a concern.
Is Taurus fast?
The Ford Taurus SHO can reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.
