Used 2018 Ford Taurus SEL Sedan Review

Seemingly designed to conquer the nation's endless stretches of highway, large sedans place a premium on passenger room and comfort. The 2018 Ford Taurus is a competent member of this class, but its hefty weight and dated cabin make rivals generally more appealing.

Naturally, the Taurus offers ample leg- and headroom throughout. It also boasts one of the largest trunks in this class. The Taurus' composed ride transports passengers in comfort, whether you're navigating broken city streets or cruising on the open road. It might seem like the Taurus is the ultimate road trip vehicle, with plenty of space and storage for four passengers and luggage.

However, pretty much any vehicle in this class will do the same thing, and in a more upscale fashion. While it has received numerous improvements over the years, this generation of the Taurus has been on sale since 2010. Even with the addition of the Sync 3 infotainment interface, the cabin looks plain compared to newer competitors. It feels clumsy and bulky when you're driving around tight turns, and unless you're considering the high-performance SHO model, the V6 is lethargic. It simply isn't powerful enough to move this chunky sedan with authority.

Overall, we think the 2018 Ford Taurus will adequately meet your needs. But if you shop around, you'll likely find that the Taurus' large sedan rivals are more compelling overall.

The 2018 Ford Taurus is a large, five-passenger sedan sold in four trim levels. The base SE is modestly equipped, which is why buyers looking for 21st-century tech should strongly consider the next level SEL. It counts rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror among its upgrades. The Limited is significantly more expensive, as it comes with items that are optional for the SEL, plus additional luxury features. The SHO is a different beast entirely, marrying most of the Limited's features with a high-performance V6 and sport suspension.

For power, the SE relies on a 3.5-liter V6 engine (288 horsepower, 254 pound-feet of torque) paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, an exterior keyless-access keypad, six-way power-adjustable front seats (with manual recline and lumbar adjustment), 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, a driver information display, a rearview camera, Sync voice controls, Bluetooth, a 4.2-inch central display, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and two USB ports.

Stepping up to the SEL adds LED daytime running lights, body-color heated mirrors with puddle lamps, rear parking sensors, remote engine start, dual-zone automatic climate control, upgraded cloth upholstery and interior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and satellite radio (the latter is optional on the SE). Leather upholstery paired with heated front seats is available as a stand-alone option.

The SEL can also be had with the Equipment Group 201A options package, which adds keyless entry and ignition, an additional center speaker for the audio system and the Sync 3 infotainment system, which includes an 8-inch touchscreen and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The more luxurious Taurus Limited gets you all the Equipment Group 201A items, plus 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic high-beam control, automatic wipers, an auto-dimming driver-side mirror, power-adjustable pedals, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated 10-way power front seats, driver-seat memory settings, heated second-row seats, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a premium Sony audio system with HD radio.

Limited models can also be had with the Driver Assist options package, which includes adaptive cruise control, an automated parallel parking system, a forward collision warning system, and lane departure warning and intervention. Stand-alone options for both SEL and Limited include 20-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, a rear spoiler and a navigation system.

The sporty SHO starts with most of the Limited's standard equipment and adds all-wheel drive, a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine (365 horsepower, 350 pound-feet of torque), a sport-tuned suspension, exclusive 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, black exterior trim, a rear spoiler, dual exhaust tips, unique leather upholstery and interior trim, and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

Most Limited options are also available for the SHO, along with a SHO Performance package that adds a revised final-drive ratio for quicker acceleration, summer performance tires, stiffer suspension tuning, upgraded brake pads, special steering tuning, an enhanced stability control system with a Track mode, and simulated suede trim on the steering wheel.