2004 Ford Taurus SES review from North America

Noting has gone wrong with this car so far.

This is a great car. We also have a 1998 Taurus SE. The 2004 Taurus with the 24 valve duratec engine is plenty powerful. However, it is also smooth as glass. You can barely feel the transmisison shifts, but they are crisp and positive. My only gripe with the transmission is that it shifts from 1-2 too early for my taste. This may make it smooth, but if you are accelerating moderately (not hard, nor soft) it takes you out of the power-band too quickly.

The leather seats are comfortable, but I still think the seats in the 98 Taurus were softer and more cushy.

Road noise is significantly lower than in the 98. However tire noise is present. I think this is a function of the aggressive tread design and a less aggressive tires would end this issue, but create others you can imagine. Even so, it is not bothersome. On nice roads, the car is very quiet.

Overall, I think Ford has finally gotten everything right on the Taurus. It is fast, responsive, comfortable, secure, quiet, and good-looking. I think it is a shame that they have decided to end it and move to something else. All this and we got it for $13,500 with leather, 24v, cd changer, console, etc. What a deal.

I guess now we'll have to wait another ten years before they work out the issues with the next car thought to be a replacement. Oh, well.