Introduction
Ford's bestseller of the 1980s makes a comeback bid, ranking third in our comparison -- an admiral position considering that this Taurus is not an all-new car. After losing grace to Japan's finest, Ford has brought the heavily revised 2000 Taurus to market with a vengeance – fresh and attractive styling, a simple, yet refined interior, a great suspension package and a powertrain that begs to be driven – all at an as-tested $21,710. Impressed? So were we. Read on.

Background and OurTest Vehicle
Ford broke the plain-Jane, cookie-cutter mold of family sedans when it introduced the Taurus in 1986. With a sculpted body and Euro-style aerodynamics, the Taurus was a bestseller in its class the first year out, riding the wave as the number-one automobile for a whopping five straight years (1992-1996).

It didn't take much effort for Honda and Toyota to knock Ford off its pedestal when the redesigned Taurus was unveiled in 1996. Ford's engineers dug deep into the corporate bubble bag, taking nearly every straight line and turning it into an arc or oval. The result was a large mouth bass on wheels that sank to the bottom of the family sedan pond.

Thankfully, the 2000 Taurus takes on a whole new look and a new direction as well. Body lines are back and the ovals have been subdued to the point that the Taurus looks like a real car again. But more importantly, Ford has made vast improvements to the safety aspects of the Taurus, adding side airbags and adjustable pedals, among other items, to the features list.

Exterior Design
Ford breathes fresh air into the Taurus this year with a spanking new design that brings back the flair of the first-generation Taurus, yet shows forward thinking and planning. Gone is the rear oval-esque greenhouse design, replaced by large panes of rear rectangular rear glass and a definite Euro feel. One look and you know this is the larger sibling to the European Ford Mondeo (or Contour, as we know it here in the states).

The new shell isn't a revelation, just a vast improvement over its predecessor, inspiring one editor to comment, "Finally, a Taurus that looks like a Taurus." The 2000 Taurus is the design Ford should have introduced in 1996.

Interior Features, Controls, Materials and Design
Ford's designers didn't rest after penning the new exterior. The interior received a complete revamping as well. Gone is the oval HVAC/stereo pod (which looked like the buttons were placed during a drunken game of darts), replaced with a neat, stacked rhomboid arrangement that allows for easy manipulation of the HVAC and stereo controls, which are simple enough for a three-year-old to use. While the design reflects a clean sheet of paper, there's nothing special about the layout -- it's straightforward and understated, with the only edgy styling coming from the thick-grip, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired steering wheel.

Our tester came with the standard upgraded cloth interior, which offered decent lumbar support in the mid-back area, but left our lower backs aching for additional assistance. Through canyon driving, we praised the lateral and thigh support of the front seats, as well as the grippy cloth material that covered them.

A first for a family sedan, our Taurus was equipped with adjustable pedals, which made it easy to find that perfect driving position. We humbly suggest that you do not try to adjust the pedals while driving, and we're surprised Ford allows them to be moved when the car is in motion.

The rear seat is supportive, but is raked too far forward to be of real comfort on long trips. The rear seat also lacked an armrest, but dual cup holders were housed in a flimsy pull-down lid in the center console. Child safety tethers are standard as well as three-point seat belts for all rear passengers

Engine and Transmission
With the optional 24-valve Duratec V6 putting out 200 horsepower and 200 foot-pounds of torque, the Taurus is one snarling puppy on the road. The engine features a wide power band with tons of low-end torque. Reaching the upper end of the tachometer, the engine emits a nasty growl and a decent amount of torque steer during upshifts.

Backed by a well-calibrated, four-speed overdrive transmission, the Taurus downshifted smartly when the pedal was put to the floorboard and upshifted at the precise time to keep the powertrain in its sweet spot.

In typical Ford tradition, the transmission does not have a separate "2" and "1" gear, only a "Low," which shoves the tranny from second gear to first when speeds drop below 30 mph. The resulting neck-snapping "whomp" as the tranny downshifts is unacceptable.

Suspension, Ride and Handling
The real surprise was the Taurus' revised ride and handling. On the open road, the Taurus transmits just the right amount of feedback to the wheel to let the driver know what is happening with the tires, yet broadcasts nary a whimper to the seats or occupants.

Ford has finally found a compliant suspension for the Taurus with excellent rebound shock valving for spirited canyon driving, yet without the harshness that saps a cross-country drive. Throw the Taurus into a turn, jab the throttle and the car responds in a predictable manner, almost taunting you to drive it harder. Yet on the highway, passenger's are treated to a comfortably smooth ride.

We were pleasantly surprised with the revised steering feel, thanks in part to new power-steering pump valving and a pulse suppressor. The result is more precise response and a better on-center road feel.

Conclusion
Ford's ugly duckling turns out to be a prince after all. With our tester's $21,710 price point, the Taurus is a screaming deal. Load it up with all the extras (leather, Mach-460 sound system, power moonroof and a rear spoiler) and the total cost is a mere $24,345. Best of all, if you want to go for an extended test drive, you only have to visit your local Hertz rent-a-car location.

Editors' Comments
OK. To me the Taurus is the most boring. It's as sedan-like as they come, and that's why I could NEVER buy one. Funny thing is, because of the tremendous value and because I think it's just what a sedan buyer needs, it falls really high on my recommendation list. The interior is laid out cleanly and logically. The shape is pretty decent, and Ford should have brought this one to fruition instead of the abhorrent design that was forced on consumers in '96. Unfortunately for me, a car with rear drums just has to go. It's the only one that had significant fade set in during braking tests. In the wet this car was hydroplaning far more than any of the others. Furthermore, you could really feel the water kick through the floorboard by your left foot. This Taurus is just not me, but it may really suit a ton of other people, and I can acknowledge that. – Dan Gardner

A smooth DOHC V6 emits a guttural growl that immediately takes you aback because this is, after all, a Taurus -- America's favorite rental car. That growl is quite performance-oriented in sound, and the engine provides entertaining response at all speeds. Creates an excellent first impression in the closet enthusiast, and lends to an innocuous car plenty of gutsy character. – Christian Wardlaw

Stereo Evaluation - 2000 Ford Taurus