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For over 30 years, the Ford Taurus has been the epitome of the American family sedan. However, the automotive market has to change with the rest of the world, and the legacy of the Taurus is coming to an end. Ford is shifting its focus on more truck and SUV models like the Bronco, Ranger, and a Mustang-based EV.
To celebrate the Taurus sedan's remarkable past, we are going to share some of its innovative history.
First Generation
In 1986, Ford introduced the Taurus. This sedan was designed to challenge the ever-growing tide of imported sedan brands and was the first model produced after Ford introduced a new emphasis on quality. It had a rounded design and came with front-wheel drive.
Second Generation
For the 1992 model year, Ford introduced the second-generation of the Taurus. It was available solely with V6 engines and automatic transmissions. This year, there was the option of a passenger-side airbag, which become standard for 1994 models. This made the Taurus the first sedan to come with standard dual airbags. The Taurus became the best-selling car in the United States.
Third Generation
In 1996, the third generation Taurus made its debut. It came with a heavily upgraded chassis and an even rounder exterior and interior design. Front seats were all converted to bucket seats; however, a center front seat was still available as a flip-forward seat cushion.
Fourth Generation
In a new design shift, the 2000 Taurus sharpened out some of its rounder design elements with corners and creases. This helped give the Taurus more trunk space and more headroom. The central control panel was shifted towards the center of the dashboard and got bigger. In 2007, the Taurus was briefly discontinued, but did not miss a model year.
Fifth Generation
The 2008 Ford Taurus came with a large front grille and powerful stance. Inside, it had a large backseat and well-placed controls.
Sixth Generation
The sixth and final generation of the Taurus came out in 2010. It was available with desirable features like all-wheel drive and advanced driver safety aids.
We've got the final Ford Taurus at Robbie Roberson Ford. Stop in for a test drive and see why the legacy of this great sedan is firmly cemented.Â