The fifth generation of the Ford Taurus marked the return of the model line after a brief hiatus. This sedan, marketed by Ford for the 2008 and 2009 model years, represented a mid-cycle revision of the Ford Five Hundred, elevating the Taurus to a full-size car for the first time. It also became the flagship Ford sedan, following the withdrawal of the Crown Victoria from retail sale. The model line included the Ford Taurus X three-row wagon, a revision of the Ford Freestyle.
2008 Ford Taurus SEL
The fifth-generation Taurus was available in North America, South Korea, Mexico, and the Middle East. Adopting the D3 architecture from the Five Hundred, the Taurus introduced several firsts to the model line, including optional all-wheel drive, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and a standard overhead-cam V6 engine. The Mercury Montego was also rebranded as the Mercury Sable, coinciding with the closure of the Mercury brand, making it the final version of the Sable. Notably, Lincoln did not market a counterpart of the Taurus, instead designing the Lincoln MKS from the sixth-generation Taurus.
Ford assembled the Taurus at its Chicago Assembly facility alongside the Mercury Sable, Taurus X, and Lincoln MKS (for 2009). Originally, Ford introduced the 2008 model as the Ford Five Hundred, even presenting press releases and featuring the car at the 2007 Detroit International Auto Show. However, it was later rebranded as the Taurus at the direction of Ford CEO Allan Mulaney.
Enhanced Design and Features
The fifth generation featured comprehensive sound-absorption measures, including foam pellets in the A-pillars and a new sound-absorptive material called Sonosorb in the doors, headliner, and pillars. Upgraded mastic in the floor and additional sound-deadening material in the door, trunk, and under the carpet further reduced road and wind noise. The exterior showcased a revised front fascia with a three-bar grille, headlights, and fog lights, along with revised tail lights, smaller side mirrors, a roof-mounted satellite radio antenna, and chrome-trimmed faux fender vents.
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Ford's chief designer, Peter Horbury, acknowledged the styling issues of the Five Hundred and implemented front and rear fascia modifications. The interior of the 5G Taurus largely mirrored the Five Hundred, with subtle differences such as darker simulated woodgrain and a revised steering wheel. The interior also featured a revised radio faceplate with chrome trim, a revised shifter design, and a double-tiered clamshell center console.
A two-tier clamshell center console offered a 10.75 cu. ft. storage bin, with access to a second, larger storage area. The center console also included a new auxiliary audio input jack and an additional power point.
2007 Ford Taurus Interior
Trim Levels and Pricing
The 5G Taurus was offered in SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels. The SE retailed around $24,000 US$, the SEL at $26,000, and the Limited at $30,000.
Performance and Powertrain
This generation of Taurus used the 263-hp 3.5-L Duratec 35 V6, replacing the 203 hp Duratec 30 3.0-L V6. The Five Hundred/Freestyle's ZF-Batavia CVT, with a maximum torque capacity of 221 lb⋅ft (300 N⋅m), was replaced with a Ford-GM joint venture six-speed automatic capable of withstanding the Duratec 35's additional torque.
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On the 2005-2007 Five Hundred, the roughly 600-lb engine was bolted to a subframe. With the 5G Taurus, the engine was bolted to the unibody frame rails, allowing the stiffened subframe to address suspension requirements.
Reception and Legacy
The fourth-generation (4G) Ford Taurus was manufactured concurrently with the Ford Five Hundred and was discontinued in late 2006 for the 2007 model year. Some critics expressed disappointment that Ford let the Taurus nameplate decline, while many Ford workers felt that Ford unjustly abandoned the car that had revitalized Ford and the US industry.
Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus X
For the 2008 model year, the Mercury Montego received the same midcycle update as the Ford Five Hundred and was renamed the Mercury Sable. Receiving the same 3.5-L V6 and six-speed automatic as the Taurus, the Sable featured more extensive cosmetic updates, with redesigned front and rear fasciae, a larger grille, and clear-lens taillamps.
Mercury Sable
Alongside the midcycle update to the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego, the Ford Freestyle crossover SUV received a similar update and was renamed the Ford Taurus X. Sharing the powertrain of the Taurus/Sable, the Taurus X adopted a revised front fascia, similar to the Taurus sedan. The Taurus X offered an outdoors-themed Eddie Bauer edition for the first time.
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Potential Issues
Water pumps on 2008 to 2009 Ford Taurus, 2008 to 2009 Mercury Sable, 2008 to 2009 Ford Taurus X, and 2013 to 2019 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan equipped with the 3.5-L Ford Cyclone V6, 3.5-L EcoBoost V6, and 3.7-L V6 have a tendency to fail and potentially ruin the engine. These internally mounted water pumps, driven by the timing chain, can leak antifreeze into the crankcase, mixing with engine oil and potentially damaging engine components. Repairs can be costly, sometimes requiring engine replacement.
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