The Ford Taurus X is a crossover utility vehicle manufactured and marketed by the American carmaker Ford Motor Company from 2008 to 2009.
History of the Ford Taurus X
With the decline in the station wagon and MPV segments, Ford introduced a more appealing kind of vehicle in its lineup: the crossover. Ford launched the Freestyle model in 2005 on the same platform as the Taurus and Five Hundred. Just a couple of years later, the American carmaker introduced a facelifted version, which was renamed Taurus X to connect with the successful Taurus range. In 2007, shortly after becoming CEO of Ford Motor Company, Alan Mulally called for a revision of the Ford and Mercury model ranges, saying that the shift towards Ford nameplates starting with the letter "F" was forgettable in the eyes of consumers. A key part of the decision was the reinstatement of the Ford Taurus nameplate, which would take the place of the Ford Five Hundred as a mid-cycle update for the 2008 model year. As the Ford Taurus would be produced exclusively as a sedan, the all-new Ford Taurus X nameplate was introduced to take the place of the Freestyle. The nameplate change was announced shortly after its unveiling at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as a 2008 production model. As with its sedan counterpart, the Taurus X featured major powertrain updates over its predecessor. The 203hp 3.0L V6 was replaced by an all-new 3.5L Duratec 35 V6 engine, raising output to 263hp. The ZF-Batavia CVT was replaced by an all-new Ford/GM 6-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive remained an option. To increase its functionality, the Taurus X featured new power options, including a power-operated rear liftgate and power-folding second-row seats.
Price
In 2009, Ford Motor Company retailed the 2009 Ford Taurus X with a starting MSRP of around $30,000 for the base SEL variant, rising to over $33,000 for the top-of-the-line Limited variant.
- Taurus X SEL - $30,000 ($41,672 in 2022)
- Taurus X Eddie Bauer Edition - $32,000 ($44,450 in 2022)
- Taurus X Limited - $33,000 ($45,839 in 2022)
Features of the Ford Taurus X
Exterior Features
Make no mistake, it was the same platform and shared most of its components with the Freestyle, but since Taurus was a better-known name, Ford chose to change the nameplates. The car's front featured a fascia inspired by Ford's truck division, with three thick horizontal chromed bars. Its headlights featured a small side that cut into the front bumper. On its sides, the car looked more like a station wagon on stilts combined with an MPV back but integrated into a harmonious design.
Interior Features
Inside, the Taurus X offered room for seven on three rows of seats. Even though the last one was more appropriate for children, that arrangement was good for large families. By folding the second and third rows, plus the front passenger seat, Ford created a very long flat platform to be used either as a sleeping area or to load a 2x4 from your local hardware store.
Specs and Performance of the Ford Taurus X
Engines:
- 3.5L V6
The Ford Taurus X's 3.5L engine delivers 263 hp (196 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 249 lb-ft (338 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm. Ford marketed the Taurus X as a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle, and it was available with a Ford 6F50 6-speed automatic transmission. Dimension-wise, the Ford Taurus X measures 5,088 mm (200.3 in) long, 1,902 mm (74.9 in) wide, and 1,717 mm (67.6 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,868 mm (112.9 in) and has a curb weight of 4,202 lbs (1,906 kg).
Release Date
Following the return of the Ford Taurus for the 2008 model year, the Freestyle underwent a mid-cycle revision and was renamed the Ford Taurus X. It was available from 2008 to 2009.