Best Ford Taurus Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Ford Taurus Model Years (Ranked)
The Ford Taurus is one of the most important cars in American automotive history, a nameplate that ran from 1986 to 2019 across six generations and helped save Ford in the 1980s. Over its long life the Taurus swung from segment-defining family sedan to controversial oval-styled redesign, faded into rental-fleet anonymity, then returned in 2008 as a large, modern car culminating in the 3.5L EcoBoost-powered SHO.
For used buyers, the spread is enormous: early performance SHOs, dependable workhorse fleet cars, and a genuinely quick all-wheel-drive sport sedan share one badge. This ranking covers the best Ford Taurus model years, their engines, the legendary SHO, the known issues, and where the value sits today.
Direct Answer
The best overall Ford Taurus is the 2013-2019 SHO with the twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and standard all-wheel drive, which pairs 365 horsepower with a comfortable, well-equipped large-sedan body and a refreshed interior that fixed the earlier car's biggest complaints. For shoppers focused on value, the best value is the 2013-2019 Taurus SEL/Limited with the 3.5L Duratec V6, a smooth, dependable large sedan available cheaply on the used market with strong space and refinement.
Performance fans should also note the original 1989-1995 first-generation SHO with its Yamaha-developed V6, a future classic. Avoid early EcoBoost cars without documented water-pump and PTU maintenance.
1. 2013-2019 SHO (Sixth Generation, Refreshed) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The refreshed sixth-generation SHO is the high point of the modern Taurus. Its twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 makes 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft, routed through a six-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive, giving genuinely quick, secure acceleration in a big, quiet body.
The 2013 refresh added a much-needed interior update, available Performance Package with upgraded brakes and a numerically lower final drive, and improved infotainment.
The SHO drives like a refined sport sedan rather than a muscle car, and the AWD traction makes it usable year-round. The internal water pump and power-transfer unit deserve scrutiny, but a well-documented example is the most satisfying Taurus you can buy and a relative bargain against German rivals.
2. 2013-2019 Taurus 3.5L V6 (SEL/Limited) 💎 BEST VALUE
The non-SHO sixth-generation Taurus is the value champion of the whole nameplate. The naturally aspirated 3.5L Duratec V6 makes about 288 horsepower through a six-speed automatic, offering smooth, drama-free performance and good highway manners in a roomy, quiet large sedan.
The 2013 refresh fixed the pre-facelift car's cramped, button-heavy dashboard and trunk-opening complaints.
The best value is a 2013-2019 SEL or Limited V6, which bundles leather, available all-wheel drive, and a comfortable ride at a used price far below comparable imports. These cars are mechanically simple compared with the EcoBoost SHO, avoid the turbo plumbing, and have proven durable as fleet and family transport.
For a dependable big sedan on a budget, this is the smart pick.
3. 1989-1991 First-Generation SHO
The original SHO is the enthusiast's Taurus and a future classic. Ford partnered with Yamaha to develop a high-revving 3.0L DOHC 24-valve V6 making 220 horsepower, offered only with a five-speed manual in these early years, with a screaming redline and a distinctive intake melody.
Bolted into a relatively light sedan body, it was genuinely quick for its era and a sleeper among muscle cars.
These cars are now collectible, so condition and originality matter enormously. The Yamaha V6 is robust when maintained, but rust, worn suspension, and tired interiors are common on survivors. A clean manual first-generation SHO is a rewarding, increasingly valuable enthusiast buy that drives unlike any other Taurus.
4. 2010-2012 SHO (Sixth Generation, Pre-Refresh)
The reborn SHO arrived in 2010 atop the large sixth-generation platform, bringing back the performance badge after years away. It used the same 365-horsepower twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and standard all-wheel drive as the later cars, delivering effortless thrust and confident traction.
It was a serious, comfortable performance sedan that re-established the SHO name for a new generation.
The catch is the pre-facelift interior, which felt cramped and overly button-laden, and a small trunk opening. Mechanically these are the same strong powertrain as the 2013+ cars, so verify water-pump and PTU service history carefully. Priced below the refreshed cars, a well-kept early EcoBoost SHO is a lot of performance for the money.
5. 1992-1995 First-Generation/Gen-1.5 SHO
The later first-generation SHO added an automatic-transmission option (paired with a larger 3.2L V6) alongside the continued 3.0L manual, broadening the car's appeal. The 1992-1995 cars carried mild styling updates and remained quick, characterful sedans built around the Yamaha-developed engine.
The manual cars stay the enthusiast favorite, while the automatics offer easier daily use.
As with all early SHOs, these are aging vehicles now, so inspect for rust, suspension wear, and cooling-system condition. The automatic versions had their own quirks and are less sought after than the manuals. For a buyer who wants the original SHO experience with a bit more variety, a clean 1992-1995 car is an affordable and engaging classic.
6. 2008-2009 Taurus (Five Hundred Rebadge)
For 2008 Ford revived the Taurus name on the renamed Five Hundred, a large, sensible sedan riding on a Volvo-derived platform. It used a 3.5L Duratec V6 (around 263 horsepower) with a six-speed automatic and available all-wheel drive, replacing the earlier car's CVT and underpowered engine with a much better drivetrain.
The result was a spacious, safe, comfortable highway cruiser.
These cars are plain but dependable, with a roomy interior and a tall, easy-entry seating position. They lack the polish of the later sixth-generation redesign, and styling is conservative. Today they are very cheap and make sensible budget transport.
The 3.5L V6 and conventional automatic are the durable combination to seek over any leftover CVT-era hardware.
7. 1986-1991 First-Generation Taurus (Non-SHO)
The original 1986 Taurus was a landmark car, its aerodynamic jelly-bean styling and modern packaging a sharp break from boxy 1980s sedans, and a commercial success that helped rescue Ford. Standard engines were a 2.5L four-cylinder and 3.0L V6, later joined by a 3.8L V6, all with automatic transmissions in everyday trims.
It rode and handled well for its time and offered a roomy, comfortable cabin.
These are now genuinely old vehicles, so rust, worn automatics, and aging electronics are the realities. There is little reason to seek a non-SHO survivor except for nostalgia or collector interest in an important design. As basic transportation they are long past their prime, but as a piece of history the first Taurus still matters.
8. 1996-1999 Third-Generation (Oval Redesign)
The 1996 third-generation redesign is the Taurus's most controversial chapter, with heavily oval-themed styling inside and out that polarized buyers and is widely blamed for ceding the family-sedan crown to the Camry and Accord. Mechanically it offered 3.0L Vulcan and 3.0L Duratec V6 engines, and a final-year SHO with a Yamaha-built 3.4L V8 (1996-1999) that is a curiosity among enthusiasts.
The ordinary cars are dependable enough but unremarkable, and the divisive design hurts desirability. The V8 SHO is the notable variant, though its engine has known cam-sprocket concerns to research. For most buyers there is little reason to choose this generation over a newer Taurus, but the V8 SHO remains an oddball collector talking point.
9. 2000-2007 Fourth/Fifth-Generation (Fleet Era)
The 2000 redesign toned down the oval styling and the Taurus settled into its fleet-and-rental era, with the 3.0L Vulcan V6 and 3.0L Duratec V6 the common engines and conservative, value-focused trims. These cars were built in huge numbers, were inexpensive, and proved reasonably durable, but they were never exciting and felt increasingly dated against newer competition.
As used buys they are cheap, simple, and easy to maintain, with parts availability that remains excellent given the production volume. The downsides are bland dynamics, aging interiors, and high-mileage fleet histories. For absolute-budget transportation a clean, well-kept example can serve, but there is little to recommend it beyond low cost and basic reliability.
10. 1996-1999 Taurus SHO (Yamaha V8)
The final SHO of the old era is a genuine oddity: a 3.4L Yamaha-built V8 making around 235 horsepower, offered only with an automatic transmission in the oval-styled third-generation body. It gave the SHO badge eight cylinders for the first and only time and made a smooth, willing performer wrapped in the era's divisive sheetmetal.
This SHO has a reputation for cam-sprocket failures on the V8, a known weak point that can cause serious engine damage if neglected, so documentation and inspection are essential. It is more a collector curiosity than a daily driver today. For an enthusiast who wants the rarest, strangest SHO, a sorted V8 car is a conversation piece, but buy with eyes wide open.
What to Watch For When Buying
The most important checks depend on which Taurus you choose. On any EcoBoost SHO, the internal water pump is the headline concern: it is driven by the timing chain and a failure can dump coolant into the oil, so confirm the service interval has been respected. Also inspect the power-transfer unit (PTU) on all-wheel-drive cars, a known wear item that can fail if its fluid is neglected.
On older first-generation SHOs, prioritize rust, suspension wear, and cooling-system health, and verify the Yamaha V6 has documented maintenance. The 1996-1999 V8 SHO carries a specific cam-sprocket failure risk that must be researched and inspected. Across all generations, favor a clean maintenance history over a low sticker price, check for fleet-mileage abuse on 2000-2007 cars, and confirm the conventional automatic shifts cleanly.
How to Choose
Match the Taurus to your goal. For the best blend of performance, comfort, and year-round usability, the 2013-2019 SHO EcoBoost is the answer, provided its water-pump and PTU history check out. For the best value in a dependable large sedan, a 2013-2019 3.5L V6 SEL or Limited is hard to beat on price and space.
Enthusiasts chasing a future classic should target a clean 1989-1995 first-generation SHO, ideally a manual. Budget buyers can consider a 2008-2009 3.5L V6 for sensible, cheap transport. Avoid the divisive 1996-1999 cars unless you specifically want the oddball V8 SHO, and treat 2000-2007 fleet cars as bargain basics.
In every case, documentation wins.
FAQ
Which Ford Taurus is the best to buy? The 2013-2019 SHO with the twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and all-wheel drive is the best overall, combining 365 horsepower with a refined, well-equipped large-sedan body. Verify the water-pump and PTU service history before buying.
Are Ford Taurus models reliable? Generally yes, especially the naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 cars, which are simple and durable. The EcoBoost SHO requires diligent water-pump and PTU maintenance, and the old V8 SHO has cam-sprocket concerns, so engine choice and documentation matter.
What is the Ford Taurus SHO? SHO stands for Super High Output. The original 1989-1995 SHO used a Yamaha-developed high-revving V6, the 1996-1999 car used a Yamaha V8, and the 2010-2019 SHO used a twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with all-wheel drive making 365 horsepower.
Which Taurus years should I avoid? The 1996-1999 oval-redesign cars are the least desirable for styling and the V8 SHO's cam-sprocket risk, and 2000-2007 fleet-era cars are bland with often high mileage. Any EcoBoost SHO without documented water-pump service is also risky.
Bottom Line
The Ford Taurus spans landmark family sedan, divisive redesign, fleet workhorse, and genuine performance sedan. The 2013-2019 SHO EcoBoost is the best overall pick, delivering 365 horsepower and all-wheel drive in a refined body, while the 2013-2019 3.5L V6 offers the best value.
Enthusiasts should chase a 1989-1995 first-generation SHO as a future classic. Whatever the generation, verify maintenance history, especially water-pump and PTU service on EcoBoost cars, and the Taurus rewards careful buyers with space, comfort, and, in SHO form, real speed.
Sources
- Ford official Taurus and SHO model history and specifications, ford.com
- NHTSA recall and complaint database for Ford Taurus, nhtsa.gov
- EPA Fuel Economy ratings for Ford Taurus by model year, fueleconomy.gov
- Edmunds Ford Taurus generation reviews and used-car appraisals, edmunds.com
- Kelley Blue Book Ford Taurus used values by model year, kbb.com
- Wikipedia Ford Taurus generations, SHO variants, and technical specifications, en.wikipedia.org