1995 Ford Taurus Driving Impressions Review at Automotive.com
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1995 Ford Taurus Review: Road Test

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1995 Ford Taurus Review

All's well with America's best-selling wagon
Driving Impressions
The Taurus LX Wagon with the optional 3.8-liter V6 engine has a chassis/powerplant combination that's been under continuous development for more than 10 years now, and it is just about thoroughly sorted out.

The 3.0-liter engine is perfectly adequate for the needs of most small families in this wagon, but we would recommend the 3.8 anyway because it tends to operate under less strain than the 3.0. The extra power and torque and the smoothness added by the balance shaft are worth the minimal investment, and the gas mileage is about the same anyway. This is the same engine you can buy in a Lincoln Continental.

The Taurus Wagon is no rocket, but it certainly isn't a slouch. Acceleration and passing power are very good. We found the transaxle to be quiet and smooth in operation, and it kicked down quickly when needed.

We would classify the ride quality of the Taurus Wagon as just this side of stiff. The wagon rides flat, but a fair amount of harshness comes through, especially high-impact harshness. All the same, the small stuff gets soaked up very well.

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The Taurus steering system has always had a pleasant heft to it, and that trait continues into 1995, making the wagon a deft handler that doesn't wander about on the highway.

The thick steering-wheel section and the nicely assisted steering give a feeling of command and control behind the wheel.

A wagon is, by its very nature, louder in operation than a sedan. There's not much structure between a wagon's rear tires and its occupants' ears, but the Taurus does a good job of keeping that roar down to a bare minimum.

We never got into an ABS-on situation, so we can't describe that part of the braking system's efficiency. But we were pleased with the positive, progressive pedal feel and stopping power in normal situations.

As for its wagon qualities, well, the Taurus holds a little less than 40 cu. ft. with the seat up and just over 80 cu. ft. with the seat stowed. Those numbers qualify it as a serious and useful station wagon, but most definitely not a minivan.

The tailgate goes up and away for big-load packing, and the window glass can be popped open for small-item storage out back.

Yes, there are other midsize wagons that hold a third more stuff, but they have roofs with square corners, and the Taurus Wagon doesn't. You have to eat some space to get the sexy body shell. Next Page



1995 Ford Taurus