The 2010 Ford Taurus

If you're thinking of buying a full-size sedan, do yourself a big favour and check out the new Taurus first. The new Taurus looks exciting, even standing still.

Arriving in dealer showrooms a year earlier than originally planned, the 2010 Ford Taurus is expected this summer, starting at $29,999 for the base SE model (that's a $1,000 price drop compared with the outgoing model).

The 2010 Taurus is a considerable advancement over the previous model; a reinvention, if you will. It builds on the established Taurus platform (the D3 platform, originally the foundation for the Volvo S80/XC90, the next generation of which is the foundation for the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKX crossovers), but with improvements and enhancements including Ford's new SR1 suspension, shared with the Lincoln MKS.

Available in SE, SEL, Limited and SHO versions, the 2010 Taurus is a fully realized and thoroughly commanding vehicle. The SE is a front-wheel drive (FWD) model, the SEL can be purchased in FWD ($32,999) or all-wheel drive (AWD) for $34,799. The $40,699 Limited and $48,199 SHO are AWD only.

At 263hp and 249 lb-ft of torque it's no slouch off the line, even considering the Taurus weighs in at 1,821 kilos (4,015 lbs) in FWD and 1,915 kg (4,224 lbs) with AWD and fuel economy is reasonable at 12.3L/100km in the city and 7.9 on the highway; it gets 11.6/7.2 respectively in FWD.

Its spirited acceleration is matched with a truly refined chassis, not only from the perspective of ride quality, but more so with respect to handling dynamics. The Taurus feels solid for sure, but in the corners it comes across as a much smaller more agile car, transitioning from side to side without much body lean and always feeling composed and rock solid mid-turn.

Exterior styling is vastly superior to the previous models, with the entire exterior massaged and toned. The rear lights have something of a Lincoln look to them, the roof is shortened by 40 millimetres, the beltline is higher and windows are not as tall. The grille, hood, fenders and fascia are also new, along with the projector-style headlamps. Wheels range in size from 17-20 inches. The look is modern and much sleeker, while retaining a substantial -- formidable, even -- presence.

While the Taurus exterior is agreeable enough, its all-new interior is downright spectacular. The "twin-eyebrow" instrument panel is massive, and complemented by believable faux-wood trim, precision controls, finely crafted leather seating, subtle chrome touches and the smallest of gaps (two-millimetres) between panels and components. The wide centre stack flows elegantly into the console between the seats, reminding one of an exotic sports car rather than a mainstream sedan. And all of the materials and features -- from the soft-touch plastics to the rich carpets and soothing ambient lighting -- are top rate. Ford benchmarked Audi for the interior, and it shows. Because the major instruments are so deeply recessed, they aren't visible at all from the passenger seat, but this fits with Ford's notion that the 2010 Taurus is about the driver, even though the rest of its cavernous interior and trunk can comfortably seat five large adults.

Let's take a closer look at the trim levels. New standard features on all models include the "EasyFuel" capless fuel filler, projector lamps with auto mode, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, particulate air filter and a second-row power point. Feature highlights for the Taurus SE include cloth interior, electronic stability control, side impact airbags and a safety canopy with roll-over sensor, MyKey technology, remote Keyless Entry Keypad, single zone air conditioning, power windows, doorlocks and mirrors, power driver's seat and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Expected to be the most popular specification is the Taurus SEL, which adds the paddle shifters, heated exterior mirrors, supplemental parking lamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual zone electronic climate control, a message centre with compass and outside temperature display, and auto-dimming interior mirror. While the interior is still cloth, the front seats are heated and the passenger seat is powered. Sirius satellite radio and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter are also included.

As you would expect, leather upholstery flatters the Taurus interior the most, and you can add it to the SEL for $750, tagged to the new multi-contour (massaging) front seats for $600. But the Taurus Limited is for occupants who like to be pampered, as its standard leather seats are heated and ventilated, while offering additional power controls and memory. Additionally, the rear seats are heated, and the Taurus Limited is fitted with 19-inch chrome-clad wheels, a power rear sunshade, premium Sony audio, SYNC voice-activated communications system, woodgrain interior trim and a universal garage door opener. And as mentioned above, the Limited is AWD only.

The Taurus SHO is virtually a separate model, given its powertrain and equipment differences. Powered by an EcoBoost, twin-turbocharged engine that makes 365-hp and 350 lb.ft torque, the SHO features a range of appearance and performance upgrades that separate it from the mainstream Taurus models.

Truly, it's the options that make the Taurus stand out, shockingly offering more technology than anything in its class and beyond. In fact, there is an array of technologies including:

Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert (BLIS) which warns the driver of vehicles approaching from behind on the road, or to the side when backing out of a parking space.

Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning and Brake Support, with which the Taurus will reduce its speed on the highway when encountering a slower vehicle ahead, and will slow abruptly by up to 30 per cent and emit an audible alarm and head-up display if a collision is imminent.

SecuriCode keyless entry senses the keyfob as you approach the car, and will unlock the door by simply touching a keypad located on the B-pillar (the keypad illuminates when you touch it, but is virtually invisible otherwise). Alternatively, you can use choose to lock your keys in the car (at the beach, the gym) and open the car using a code programmed into the keypad.

SYNC with traffic directions and personalized traffic reports, enables you to select a destination using voice commands, and the SYNC communications system downloads turn-by-turn directions via your cellphone.

MyKey technology enables you to ensure that the seatbelts are used and a set speed is not exceeded when the car is driven by someone other than the owner. The system can also restrict maximum audio volume, establish an earlier low-fuel warning and select speed alert chimes.

Multi-contour front seats are designed to help reduce driver fatigue by changing the contours of the seat squab and seatback via air chambers that inflate and deflate in a random pattern.

Other technologies include rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic high-beam headlamps, intelligent access with push-button start, and a choice of seven colours for the interior ambient lighting.

Needless to say, not all of the above-listed features are in all Taurus models, although some are available as stand-alone options, primarily on the SEL and Limited models.

The first thing you notice when approaching and entering the 2010 Ford Taurus is its size. This is a truly large car, affording you an SUV-like view of the road and an unrestricted sense of space in the cabin.

Road noise is almost non evident from the car itself or from surrounding traffic. The engine is smooth and the Taurus accelerates easily to speed. Likewise the transmission is very smooth, with gear changes almost imperceptible.

The suspension soaks up bumps as the ride is exceedingly comfortable, but firm enough to give good handling.

The driver's seat is adjustable for a wide range of driver sizes. And there is no shortage of space anywhere in the Taurus, and that goes for small items like phones and wallets, and large items like flat-screen TVs or barbeques, which the trunk would easily accommodate.

Current competitors for the Taurus, which effectively is replacing the Crown Victoria as the top of the Ford sedan pecking order, are the Chrysler 300 series, Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon. Ford also mentions the Audi A6 and Lexus ES.

Before you decide to buy anything in this class test drive the new Taurus. Our guess is that Ford will win you over.