2000-06 Ford Taurus | Consumer Guide Auto

Midsize car; Built in USA

4-door sedan
4-door wagon

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $2,100 – $7,000*

2000 Ford Taurus 4-door sedan

2001 Ford Taurus 4-door wagon

2000 Ford Taurus interior

2000 Ford Taurus 4-door sedan

2000 Ford Taurus SE 4-door wagon

Pros:	Cargo room Handling/roadholding Rear-seat comfort
Cons:	Low-speed acceleration

Taurus returned to its roots as family transportation with the 2000 redesign. Fully contemporary in styling, a Taurus delivers fine road manners, great utility, and an appealing array of safety features, at competitive prices. Despite acceleration limitations and imperfect ride comfort, Taurus deserves a place on any midsize-car shopping list.

Overview

Ford restyled its best-selling model for 2000. Exterior dimensions changed little, but the conventional shapes displaced the previous oval look, bringing more head room and trunk space. Inside was a more traditional dashboard, along with newly available adjustable pedals. As before, Taurus shared its basic design and mechanical components with the Mercury Sable. Gone was the slow-selling Taurus SHO, leaving an LX sedan and step-up SE sedan and wagon, all with V6 engines. Upscale SES and SEL sedans also joined the group. Seating for either five or six was available, and wagons could again have a 2-place third-row seat. A 155-horsepower V6 served as base engine. Standard with upper models and optional on SEs was a 200-hp twincam V6. Both drove a 4-speed automatic transmission and ran on regular fuel. Traction control and head/chest side airbags for the front seat were new options, while 16-inch wheels were newly standard. A standard Advanced Restraints System was designed to minimize airbag injuries to the driver by gauging crash severity and seat position, then deploying the steering-wheel airbags with appropriate force. Sedans got a release inside the trunk and all models had rear child-seat anchors. Antilock brakes were standard on top models, optional on others.

Yearly Updates

2001 Taurus
Only minor changes marked the 2001 models. Lower anchors for rear child seats were installed, and the fuel tank grew from 16- to 18-gallon capacity. The 200-hp V6 was standard in the SEL and optional for the SES sedan and SE wagon. Antilock brakes were standard for the SES and SEL, optional on other Tauruses.

2002 Taurus
Taurus made some previously optional features standard for 2002, and former option packages become separate models. Optional on SE at midyear was a Wood Package, complete with wood steering-wheel trim. SE, SES, and SEL sedans and wagons gained new submodels.

2003 Taurus
Unchanged for 2003.

2004 Taurus
The only changes for ’04 were mildly revised front and rear styling.

2005 Taurus
Taurus sedans and wagons soldier on with fewer trim levels for 2005; LX and SES versions are gone.

2006 Taurus
The wagon was dropped as an option, as was the 201-hp V6 engine.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	3.0/182
Engine HP	155
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	185

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic	19/28

ohv V6

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

3.0/182

Engine HP

155

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

185

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

19/28

dohc V6¹
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	3.0/181
Engine HP	201
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	200

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic	20/28	18.4

dohc V6¹

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

3.0/181

Engine HP

201

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

200

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

20/28

18.4

Ratings

Model Tested: 2001 Ford Taurus LX

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4

40%

Fuel Economy - 5

50%

Ride Quality - 5

50%

Steering/Handling - 5

50%

Quietness - 5

50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Front - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Rear - 6

60%

Cargo Room - 6

60%

Other

Value - 7

70%

Total: 55

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2000 Taurus 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5

100%

Front Passenger Injury - 5

100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3

60%

Rear Passenger Injury - 3

60%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	84
Injury	88
Theft	64

2000 Ford Taurus	Pricing Effective: 09/29/2000
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
LX 4-door sedan	$ 17,885	$ 16,477	$ 600
SE 4-door sedan	18,935	17,232	600
SE 4-door wagon	20,090	18,260	600
SES 4-door sedan	19,810	18,011	600
SEL 4-door sedan	21,085	19,146	600
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
LX : 3.0-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, emergency inside trunk release, air conditioning, variable-assist power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, 5-passenger seating, front bucket seats, column shift, center console, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, variable intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, remote decklid release, theft-deterrent system, 215/60R16 tires, wheel covers
SE adds: 4-wheel disc brakes (wagon), power door locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, 6-passenger seating (wagon), split folding rear seat (wagon), AM/FM/cassette, power antenna (wagon), rear/wiper washer (wagon), roof rack (wagon), alloy wheels
SES adds: antilock brakes, 6-passenger seating, 6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, split folding rear seat, illuminated visor mirrors
SEL adds: 3.0-liter dohc V6 engine, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry w/keypad, heated power mirrors, automatic headlights

Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
LX Plus Pkg.	LX	$750	$668
Cruise control, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, alloy wheels. Available only in California, Hawaii, and Orlando region.
SES Group	SE wagon	900	801
Antilock brakes, 6-way power driver seat, illuminated visor mirrors. Requires Wagon Group.
Wagon Group	SE wagon	300	267
Rear facing third seat, cargo cover.
SES Wagon Plus Group	SE Wagon	325	290
3.0-liter dohc V6 engine, power-adjustable pedals. Available only in California, Hawaii, and Orlando region.
SES Plus Group, SES		325	290
3.0-liter V6 engine, power-adjustable pedals, 5-passenger seating, console, floor shift. Available only in California, Hawaii, and Orlando region.
SEL Group	SEL	150	134
Power-adjustable pedals, 5-passenger seating, console, floor shift, Mach Audio system, 6-disc CD changer. Available only in California, Hawaii, and Orlando region.
Powertrain
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
3.0-liter dohc V6 engine	SE wagon, SES	695	619
Traction control	SE, SES, SEL	175	156
Requires antilock brakes. SE wagon requires SES Group.
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Front side-impact airbags		390	347
LX requires power door locks.
Antilock brakes	LX, SE sedan	600	534
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
6-passenger seating	LX, SE sedan	0	0
5-passenger seating	SES, SEL	105	93
Includes floor shift.
Leather upholstery	SE wagon, SES, SEL	895	797
Includes 5-passenger seating. Wagon requires SES Group.
6-way power driver seat	SE	395	352
Includes lumbar adjustment.
6-way power passenger seat	SEL	350	312
Requires leather upholstery and front side-airbags.
Split folding rear seat	SE sedan	140	124
Power door locks	LX	275	245
Requires side-air bags.
Power-adjustable pedals		120	107
NA LX. SE requires power driver seat.
Audio Group	SE wagon, SES, SEL	670	596
6-disc CD changer, Mach Audio system. Wagon requires SES Group and Wagon Group.
Power sunroof	SES, SEL	840	747
Heated power mirrors	SE wagon, SES	35	31
Front floor mats		30	27
Rear floormats		25	23
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Engine block heater		35	31

2001 Ford Taurus	Pricing Effective: 06/20/2001
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
LX 4-door sedan	$ 18,550	$ 17,356	$ 625
SE 4-door sedan	19,325	17,868	625
SE 4-door wagon	20,480	18,907	625
SES 4-door sedan	20,340	18,781	625
SEL 4-door sedan	21,825	20,118	625
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
LX : 3.0-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, emergency inside trunk release, air conditioning, variable-assist power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, 5-passenger seating, front bucket seats, column shift, center console, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, variable intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, remote decklid release, theft-deterrent system, 215/60R16 tires, wheel covers
SE sedan adds: remote keyless entry, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette, alloy wheels
SE wagon adds: 4-wheel disc brakes, 6-passenger seating, front split bench seat w/flip-fold seating console, split folding rear seat, power antenna, rear/wiper washer, roof rack
SES adds to SE sedan: antilock brakes, 6-passenger seating, front split bench seat w/flip-fold seating console, 6-way power driver seat, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, illuminated visor mirrors
SEL adds: 3.0-liter dohc V6 engine, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, remote keyless entry w/keypad, heated power mirrors, automatic headlights

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 55

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

2002 Ford Taurus	Pricing Effective: 03/26/2002
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
LX 4-door sedan	$ 19,035	$ 17,697	$ 650
SE 4-door sedan	19,845	18,235	650
SE Standard 4-door wagon	21,190	19,446	650
SE Deluxe 4-door wagon	21,810	20,004	650
SE Premium 4-door wagon	22,500	20,625	650
SES Standard 4-door sedan	20,860	19,149	650
SES Deluxe 4-door sedan	21,960	20,139	650
SEL Deluxe 4-door sedan	22,730	20,832	650
SEL Deluxe 4-door Wagon	22,980	21,057	650
SEL Premium 4-door sedan	23,300	21,345	650
Price Note:

2003 Ford Taurus	Pricing Effective: 05/19/2003
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
LX 4-door sedan	$ 19,630	$ 18,198	$ 660
SE 4-door sedan	20,155	18,475	660
SE Standard 4-door wagon	21,805	19,959	660
SE Deluxe 4-door wagon	23,240	21,251	660
SES Standard 4-door sedan	21,480	19,667	660
SES Deluxe 4-door sedan	22,580	20,657	660
SEL Deluxe 4-door sedan	23,380	21,377	660
SEL Deluxe 4-door wagon	23,630	21,602	660
SEL Premium 4-door sedan	23,950	21,891	660
Price Note:

2004 Ford Taurus	Pricing Effective: 03/15/2004
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
LX 4-door sedan	$ 19,945	$ 18,480	$ 660
SE 4-door sedan	20,335	18,631	660
SE 4-door wagon	21,765	19,919	660
SE Duratec 4-door wagon	22,460	20,544	660
SES 4-door sedan	21,805	19,954	660
SES Duratec 4-door sedan	22,500	20,580	660
SEL 4-door sedan	23,740	21,696	660
SEL 4-door wagon	23,890	21,831	660
Price Note:

2005 Ford Taurus	Pricing Effective: 04/14/2005
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
SE 4-door sedan	$ 21,200	$ 19,243	$ 685
SE 4-door wagon	22,555	20,635	685
SEL 4-door sedan	23,130	20,961	685
SEL 4-door wagon	23,545	21,525	685
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
SE : 3.0-liter V6 153-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes (wagon), emergency inside trunk release (sedan), air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 6-passenger seating, front split bench seat w/flip-fold center console, column shift, cupholders, 2nd-row split folding seat (wagon), 3rd-row rear-facing seat (wagon), power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, power antenna (wagon), digital clock, tachometer, trip computer (wagon), variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, map lights, cargo cover (wagon), rear defogger, rear wiper/washer (wagon), floormats, theft-deterrent system, 215/60R16 tires, wheel covers
SEL adds: 5-passenger seating, front bucket seats (sedan), 6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, center console w/floor shift (sedan), split folding rear seat, keypad entry, AM/FM/CD player, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage-door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, alloy wheels

2006 Ford Taurus	Pricing Effective: 05/26/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
SE 4-door sedan	$ 21,830	$ 19,400	$ 685
SEL 4-door sedan	22,980	21,127	685
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
SE : 3.0-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, emergency inside trunklid release, air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 6-passenger seating, front split bench seat w/flip folding center console, column shift, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, map lights, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 215/60R16 tires, wheel covers
SEL adds: 5-passenger seating, front bucket seats, 6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, center console w/floorshifter, split folding rear seat, keypad entry, AM/FM/CD player, trip computer, compass, outside-temperature indicator, automatic day/night rearview mirror, illuminated visor mirrors, alloy wheels