1998 Ford Taurus Review
Price Estimate: $712 - $1,112

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Commodious and ergonomically correct.
Cons
- Swoopy styling and fish-faced snout leaves us cold.
What’s new
A mild facelift, revised trim levels and fewer options are the only changes to Ford's midsize sedan.
For sale nearby
Vehicle overview
After 1996's dramatic redesign, Ford is playing it safe with the Taurus, trying to keep costs down as their top-selling car faces sharp criticism from the press and closed checkbooks of potential buyers, who are less than captivated by this vehicle's startling new shape. Softening the Taurus's front end and simplifying the option procedure are the main ways that Ford executives hope to get more customers into the showrooms.
We have been able to spend some time with the Taurus and its stablemate the Mercury Sable and have found ourselves won over by this odd-looking family sedan and wagon. If you can get past the strange curves and odd snout, the Taurus still offers a lot of car for the money. Upon settling into the Taurus's cockpit, the first thing most drivers notice is the logical placement of the controls and the great outward visibility. Unlike the previous Taurus, which had an unpleasant dashboard and bad blind spots created by the C-pillars, this new model is easy to get acquainted with. The integrated control panel, which combines stereo and climate control functions, is a joy to behold when compared to the diminutive controls of its predecessor. Interior room in the Taurus is great, offering comfortable seating for five full-size adults and their cargo. The Taurus has comfortable seats, a plethora of cupholders and ashtrays, nicely integrated armrests and optional rear-passenger airconditioning controls.
Not many people buy midsized sedans for their outstanding handling characteristics, and for the most part the Taurus does not address these people's concerns. Nonetheless, the Taurus is not a bad driver, offering capable acceleration and decent handling. Unfortunately, the redesigned Taurus SHO is a bit of a disappointment. Sure it has a V8, the first one ever squeezed into a Taurus, but its lack of a manual transmission and slower acceleration times are a poor substitute for the car that basically defined the American sports sedan segment in its original iteration.
The Taurus still offers plenty of car, definitely our choice over the less-than-sophisticated Chevrolet Lumina or plain-Jane Buick Century. There are, however, a number of great choices from Europe, Japan and the United States that are threatening the Taurus. People who want to buy American should definitely put this near the top of their list, but people who are turned-off by its exterior styling may find comfort in the new Honda Accord or redesigned Toyota Camry being sold down the road.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$189/mo for Taurus LX
Taurus LX
vs
$164/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Ford Taurus Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Trustworthy old gal
4.75 out of 5 starsgeisinger, 04/22/2010
1998 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Wagon
I bought this great car 12 years ago with 80k miles on it (it was a salesman's car) and now have 160k. It still runs great and has given me no trouble. We used it in our move from Maryland to Florida five years ago and made 6 thousand mile (each way) trips fully loaded and pulling a heavy trailer. We got 28 mpg then and still do. Other than routine maintenance, the only repair was … a cacked coolant recovery bottle.
My SHO
4.25 out of 5 starspat muscarella, 08/11/2006
1998 Ford Taurus SHO 4dr Sedan
Great car I am the original owner and the car has exceeded my expectations in performance and lasting quality. As an engineer, I am still impressed with the power and comfort @ 111,000 miles.
1998 Taurus SHO
4.75 out of 5 starsSHOverine, 12/25/2004
1998 Ford Taurus SHO 4dr Sedan
Watch for camshaft problems. Otherwise this is a fun car to drive. The V8 provides great power, especially over 50mph. Interior is roomy (I'm 6'3", so I should know). Trunk is very spacious - holds 4 sets of golf clubs. My SHO has over 125K miles on it and is still running like a champ (only major repair was getting the cams welded). If you are in the market for a SHO - get the … cams welded!
1998 Ford Taurus SE Wagon
2.75 out of 5 starscinemaxmama, 07/16/2012
1998 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Wagon
I have driven this vehicle for the past 13 years. Hated it then, still hate it now.
BUT - most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. I bought it with 70,000 miles, I now have 180,000 and still running like a champ.
There is a hole that has rusted in the floor, the door handles come apart, doors don't shut all the way, seatbelts don't pull all the way, dash is coming apart, break replacements … every 6 mths, but still runs.
1998 Taurus Highlights
Sedan
LX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $189/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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