2003 Ford Taurus SEL Review
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SEE ALSO: Ford Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS
The family sedan isn't going away any time soon, despite the
popularity of SUVs. I've just finished a week with a 2003 Ford
Taurus sedan, and it seemed that I saw myself, or at least my car,
everywhere I went.
Which is not all that surprising. The Taurus has been at or near
the top of the sales charts since its introduction nearly 20 years ago.
It's Ford's contemporary take on the American family sedan. Or
wagon, as it is also offered in that body style. A Taurus may not be
the stuff of teenage performance fantasies (except, maybe, for the
NASCAR racing version, which shares little other than the name
with any Taurus you can buy for the street) but it fits the needs of
many Americans.
After some major changes three years ago, ``refinement'' has been
the Taurus watchword. The 2003 Taurus is offered in, as mentioned,
sedan and wagon body styles, with four trim levels. 3.0-liter V6
engine choices are the 155-horsepower pushrod ``Vulcan'' and the
200-horse twincam ``Duratec,'' both matched to a four-speed
automatic transmission. The base LX and slightly fancier SE are
augmented by the premium SEL and new, sporty-looking SES.
My week with a fully-equipped Taurus SEL was quite pleasant.
With a very good suspension calibration it was comfortable and
surprisingly enjoyable to drive, with a very European ride quality.
Interior and trunk space were never problems, and new
soundproofing in the floor made helped keep road noise at bay.
APPEARANCE: Back in the mid-1980s, the original Ford Taurus
redefined automotive styling, replacing the boxy look of the late
1970s and early `80 with more rounded forms. When the current
Taurus was introduced back in late 1995, it made the first-
generation car seem as square as the cars it replaced, and pushed the
envelope for rounded styling. In the view of many observers, it
pushed a little too far, and so soon was revised with a touch of
Ford's ``New Edge'' angles-and-planes styling. A larger grille,
character lines cut into the hood, and a truncated rear with large
triangular taillights gave it better definition, without losing character.
Styling changes since 1998 have been minor, mostly to wheels and
paint colors.
COMFORT: What makes a car easy to live with? If interior space
and comfort top your list, the Taurus will not disappoint. It's at the
large end of the mid-sized category, and can be had in five- or six-
passenger form. The interior was restyled at the same time as the
exterior, with a more mainstream appearance and the addition of
useful storage pockets. My SEL test car was in five-seat trim, with
comfy front bucket seats separated by a functional console. The rear
bench seat is wide enough for three people, with better-than-average
head and leg room. It folds with at 60/40 split to handle long cargo
items, but that should be a rare occasion as the trunk is
commendably large, with easy access. Easily readable black-on-
white instruments are featured, and the control buttons are the
standard large, easy-to-use Ford items. In standard trim, the Taurus
SEL is well-equipped, with a power driver's seat, AM/FM/cassette/
6-CD changer stereo, an excellent climate-control system, remote
keyless entry, and more. Options in my test car like a genuine wood
and leather steering wheel that looked to be right out of a Lincoln,
leather upholstery, and the premium ``Mach'' audio system brought it
up nearly to an entry-luxury level of appointment.
SAFETY: Every 2003 Ford Taurus comes with the ``Personal
Safety System''(tm), which uses electronic sensors to determine
deployment of the dual-stage front airbags in a crash. Antilock
brakes are standard, and side airbags are available. The Taurus has
received high ratings in both government and insurance industry
crash tests.
ROADABILITY: Combine a rigid chassis with well-designed fully-
independent MacPherson strut front and multi-link strut rear
suspension that is tuned correctly, with matched spring and shock
rates, and you get a comfortable ride that smoothes out road
irregularities and handling characteristics that are a cut above what is
expected in an American family sedan. The Taurus has a
contemporary European feel. Body motions from acceleration and
braking are damped out quickly, and cornering behavior is very good
for a middle-of-the-road family sedan. New underfloor sound
damping material lessens road noise, for a quieter and more relaxing
driving experience.
PERFORMANCE: With the 200-horsepower twincam 32-valve 3.0-
liter ``Duratec'' V6 and a four-speed automatic transmission, the
Taurus SEL is optimized for American everyday life. It's out of its
element over about 75 mph, when the engine begins to run out of
breath, but acceleration and response in all common situations is
very good. Welcome to the real world. In highway cruising, in city
traffic, and at moderate speeds on secondary roads the Taurus is in
its natural habitat.
CONCLUSIONS: The 2003 Ford Taurus combines space and comfort.
SPECIFICATIONS
2003 Ford Taurus SEL
Base Price $ 23,835
Price As Tested $ 26,160
Engine Type dual overhead cam 24-valve aluminum
alloy V6
Engine Size 3.0 liters / 180 cu. in.
Horsepower 200 @ 5650 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 200 @ 4400 rpm
Transmission 4-speed electronically-controlled
automatic
Wheelbase / Length 108.5 in. / 197.6 in.
Curb Weight 3322 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 16.6
Fuel Capacity 18.0 gal.
Fuel Requirement 87 octane unleaded regular gasoline
Tires P215/60 TR16 Continental Touring
Contact AS
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / drum,
antilock no-cost option
Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut /
independent multi-link strut
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 20 / 27 / 22
0 to 60 mph 8.4 sec
OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Wood steering wheel and shift knob $ 190
Premium leather seating $ 945
Mach audio system $ 345
Luxury/convenience group - includes:
power heated outside mirrors, perimeter
lighting, inside mirror with compass $ 185
Destination and delivery $ 660