The Drive
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO looks great on the outside and the inside but the SHO name is all about performance and the 2010 Taurus SHO does not disappoint. The new SHO is powered by Ford’s popular new EcoBoost technology, using a direct-injected, twin turbocharged setup to help the 3.5L V6 make 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. This power is sent to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission controlled by either the console mounted shifter or the steering wheel mounted shift paddles. All wheel drive, 365 horsepower and a shift system that was originally designed for race cars wrapped up in a modern luxury sedan – how can you go wrong?
Initially, while I was getting a feel for the controls and feel of the 2010 Taurus SHO, I spent my time driving casually around the area with the car left in normal “drive” mode so the transmission shifts without any driver input. Under normal driving conditions the SHO shifts smoothly, easing from gear to gear gently enough to make the shifts almost unnoticeable but when you put the pedal down the 6-speed automatic pops nicely through the gears.
When you slide the shifter into Manual mode, the driver has a chance to use one of the best designed paddle shifter setups I’ve used to date. My key complaint with the automatic 2010 Chevrolet Camaro was that the “paddles” were actually just small buttons on the back of the steering wheel spokes with the right button being upshift and the left button for downshifting. Around town, there was no flaw in the GM system but when you are cutting through hard turns at higher speeds, you find yourself hunting for the shift buttons and unlike the Cadillac CTS that uses a similar system, the Camaro offers no option to shift with the console mounted shifter. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO does away with that problem completely, with two large paddles being easily accessed along the rear sides of the steering wheel and unlike the GM system that uses one hand to upshift and one to downshift, the Ford system allows you to upshift by pulling the paddle towards you with either hand and to downshift, there is a thumb button that sticks up along the inside of the steering wheel. This is an ideal layout and I loved the way that Ford set it up for the new SHO. The downside to the manual mode is discovered when you find the rev limiter, as easing just slightly past the intended shift point causes what I would call a violent ignition stutter to keep the revs low and this doesn’t stop until you back off of the accelerator and let the RPMs drop back down. I really don’t like how they set up the rev limiter but after a few minutes of driving I found where the car wanted me to upshift and from there on the SHO was pure driving enjoyment.
The low end acceleration is incredible with the 2010 Taurus SHO making use of every one of those 365 ponies thanks to the advanced AWD system and the popular concern of “turbo lag” will be unnoticeable to the average driver. The SHO launches hard and rips through the gears so it should come as no surprise that some owners have gotten their stock 2010 SHO’s into the 13 second range in the quarter mile. Even from a roll, the EcoBoost 3.5L V6 offers instant-on throughout the power band, climbing effortlessly towards the triple digits from a normal cruising speed. Keep in mind that until the 2011 Ford Mustang GT was introduced, the SHO was the most powerful (non-SVT) vehicle available from Ford Motor Company so it is really no surprise that the 2010 SHO is so much fun to drive. However, thanks to the EcoBoost V6, the Taurus SHO delivers very similar fuel economy to what drivers get from the naturally aspirated, 263hp base V6 from an engine that offers vastly more power than the 2010 Mustang GT.
The 2010 Taurus SHO suspension helps to make the most use of the EcoBoost V6 but it also yields great handling properties. Around town, the little bumps here and there were not transferred at all through the chassis offering a similar ride to what I would expect from a new Lincoln but when you push the suspension it pushes right back. The suspension allows very little body roll under hard cornering and in tight turns the AWD allowed me to throttle-out with no issues other than minor understeer. The steering is very sharp and responsive, allowing the car to zip in and out of obstacles very comfortably.
Final Thoughts
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO made big news when it was unveiled thanks mainly to a cult-like enthusiasm over the original generations of the SHO name but no matter what trimline designation this car would have gotten – Ford would have had a winner. The 2010 Taurus SHO does a masterful job of combining the body of a luxury sedan with the heart and soul of a sports car. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 mated to Ford’s AWD system via the paddle shifted 6-speed auto trans (did I mention that I loved Ford’s paddle shifter setup?) makes the Taurus a contender against some of the quickest cars on the street in the straightaways and the twisties; all without sacrificing ride quality or passenger comfort.
I did not get to drive the SHO in the snow but I would guess that the AWD system offers as much safe, sure footing in the snow as it does on dry pavement, making for a very safe ride in all conditions. Also, the 2010 SHO offers the fun-to-drive factor that so many luxury-themed sedans forget about so it isn’t unusual to see the new SHO at the drag strip or autocross course holding its own against some of the top sports cars from the past few years.
The ONLY thing that I can find to really question is the price, as my 2010 Ford Taurus SHO came with a sticker price of $45,950 but that includes pretty much every option that you could want in your new SHO. When I talk to people about the new Taurus they seem shocked that “Ford is charging $46k for a Taurus” but before making the judgment based on what you know of the older generation Ford Taurus, make sure that you spend some time in the 2010 Taurus SHO as it will change your entire perception of the Taurus name. For more information on the 2010 Ford Taurus and all of the new products from Ford Motor Company, contact Lisa Zerilli at Dorian Ford (586-792-4100 x191) and a very special thanks to Dorian (click here for the Dorian website) for use of their SHO for my road test!
Click here for my 2010 SHO review part 1: the Exterior
Click here for my 2010 SHO review part 2: the Interior
Comments
Patrick, I can't get the slideshow to pull up. May want to check it.
Good article. I am a Mopar dude from way back, but the Taurus SHO is a sweet looking ride.
Nice job reviewing a nice ride. Would love to see some 'real world' interior shots. How was the head room?
Ron,
There are some interior shots in Part 2 of the review. The car that I had was BRAND new and still had plastic all over the place so it doesn't quite do the interior justice.
The headroom seemed fine to me and the range of motion of the drivers seat seemed to really open up more room if needed.
hey thats my taurus
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