2006 Ford Taurus Review
2006 Ford Taurus Review
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Used Taurus for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Low price, roomy interior, seats up to six.
Cons
- Low-grade interior materials
- poor expected resale value
- doesn't ride, handle or stop as well as top competitors
- weak and unrefined drivetrain.
What’s new
The wagon has been dropped from the lineup, leaving just the Taurus sedan, and the Duratec V6 engine is no longer available.
Edmunds says
No longer a contender in the midsize car segment, the aged Ford Taurus should be avoided. If you want a Ford sedan, the newer Fusion and Five Hundred are better-qualified candidates.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$199/mo for Taurus SE
Taurus SE
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
For two decades, the Taurus was the Yankee entry in the midsize car sales war, the Ford sedan that jumped into the ring to duke it out with the top-selling Camry and Accord. But even with substantial fleet and rental sales numbers to prop up the figures, the Taurus hasn't won a match since the mid-1990s. This year it loses its starting role in the Ford lineup to the Fusion, a stylish new sedan based on the excellent Mazda 6 platform.
The 2006 Ford Taurus will stick around as a lower-cost alternative to the Fusion and the larger Five Hundred sedan, but its wagon body style and the 200-horse Duratec V6 are history. Still, the Taurus does have a few lingering advantages. It's roomy, safe and loaded with features for the price. Downsides include poor expected resale value, spotty build quality and a generally unrefined driving demeanor. And don't go looking for state-of-the-art features like a navigation system, stability control or even side curtain airbags -- those aren't available. If you're at a Ford dealership and looking at midsize sedans, we suggest skipping the Taurus.
Performance & mpg
There is one V6 engine offered: the 3.0-liter "Vulcan" V6. Power is rated at just 153 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. This V6 is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Expect to average 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Safety
Front disc/rear drum brakes are standard. An optional Safety/Security package bundles seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants, antilock brakes and traction control into one group. The Ford Taurus earned a perfect five-star rating in NHTSA frontal crash testing and three stars in side-impact tests. In 40-mph frontal offset testing conducted by the IIHS, the Taurus has earned a "Good" rating and was named a "Best Pick" among family cars.
Driving
The engine is noisier than most competing V6s and has less power than most competing four-cylinder engines. The automatic transmission gets the job done but is slow to downshift and not especially smooth. Ride quality in the 2006 Ford Taurus is generally comfortable, but can be harsh over more severe bumps and ruts. Braking distances are longer than those of most peers, and neither the suspension nor the steering is suited for brisk driving around corners.
Interior
Ford Taurus cabins have a dated look and feel, but most controls are easy to find and use. The broad, flat seats aren't especially supportive but can accommodate occupants of all sizes. Carrying six passengers is a legitimate prospect if your Taurus has the front bench seat. The front bench seat also includes a flip/fold center compartment with cupholders and storage cubbies. The trunk measures a spacious 17 cubic feet.
2006 Ford Taurus models
The Ford Taurus comes in two trim levels, SE and SEL. Standard items on the SE include remote keyless entry; air conditioning; cassette stereo; power locks, windows, and mirrors; cruise control; a trip computer; and a front bench seat (allowing the car to seat up to six). Move up to SEL trim and you get all of these items standard, along with a keyless entry keypad on the driver-side door, body-color rearview mirrors with approach lamps, alloy wheels, perimeter alarm system and a stereo with CD player. Additional SEL features include wood trim accents and front bucket seats with a center console, floor shifter and power adjustments for the driver. SE models can be upgraded with a Preferred Equipment package that includes alloy wheels, rear spoiler and power driver seat. The SEL offers a Premium Package with a six-disc CD changer, automatic climate control, leather seating, rear spoiler, power passenger seat, HomeLink universal transceiver and auto headlamps.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Ford Taurus.
5 star(40%)
4 star(37%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(0%)
62 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
I couldn't be happier.
greg_wv, 06/06/2015
2006 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
I needed a work car in a hurry after the previous one was totalled due to a deer collision. I've had this little gem for over 2 years now and I have to say it's the best work car I've ever had. Recently I decided to make a lifetime commitment to it, so replaced all 4 struts, plugs, wires, coil packs, front brakes and rotors. It needed a new A/C compressor and I gave it 4 Michelin … defender tires. This baby rides like a brand new car! The mechanic told me "you realize you're putting 90,000 mile tires on this thing". I said yep, she's only got 105,000 miles on her and I'm in it 'till death do us part. That's how confident I am in this vehicle. I can see why Ford sold millions of these!
5 out of 5 stars
Very Satisfied
frank618, 03/01/2011
2006 Ford Taurus SEL 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
I was given this car as a company car brand new, I drove it for 4 1/2 years and put 214,000 miles on it and ALL we had to do was brakes and 2 tie rod ends. The oil was changed every 3 to 4K miles. After my company retired this car, I was able to purchase it for my 16 year old daughter. After taking it to the shop to have it checked out, They told me that this car was a GREAT first car … for my daughter and that everything was in really good shape!!!! the mechanic refered to this car as BULLET PROOF!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Great car
k. d. palmateer, 09/02/2016
2006 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
I bought my 2006 Taurus in 2010 in Oklahoma city with 63,000 miles on it. I had no records to tell me how the previous driver drove it. the 1st thing I did was change the oil and tranny fluid and replace the filters. I now have 175,000 miles on it and except for the battery, oil changes, tires and brakes i have made no repairs to the car. my Taurus has gone back and forth from NY to … Oklahoma 4 times and to Oklahoma, L.A. and back to NY. it is the 6th Taurus I have owned and the previous one a 2000 Taurus had 517,000 miles on it when the salt of NY killed it in 2010. that Taurus had 3 sets of struts replaced, multiple tie rods, ball joints, bearings replaced and 3 gas tanks. if not for the salt i would still be driving it.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Take that! Foreign automakers.
ADM HALSEY, 10/12/2006
2006 Ford Taurus SE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Pound for pound & dollar for dollar one of the best purchases one could make for under $15,000. Excellent for highway travel and not too bad around town for mpg. Very comfortable & quiet, similar to older Lincolns. I added a trunk disk changer and new mats via Ford. A/C renders ice and heat cooks steaks. Wish I had bought it in teal instead of maroon. I feel like a fleet car escapee. … Will buy as long as are available for a second car.
2006 Taurus Highlights
SE
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,830 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $199/month |
Seating | 6 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic 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 RestraintMarginal
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