Ford Taurus X Review

2009 Ford Taurus X Eddie Bauer 4dr Wagon AWD Shown

The Ford Taurus X crossover wagon SUV did not begin life as a bull with Malcolm's last name. It actually first arrived in 2005 as the Freestyle, changing monikers a few years later when Ford revived the Taurus nameplate. The "X" differentiates this large wagon from the Taurus sedan, and it's probably also meant to signify an active outdoorsy lifestyle or some such marketing theme. Whatever the case, the Taurus X continues to fly under the radar while its flashy Flex platform-mate gets all the press, but it's actually a wholly competent crossover that boasts three rows of seating, good cargo capacity, plenty of options, excellent safety ratings and a zesty if slightly raucous power plant. If your family doesn't need a hulking SUV with boat-towing V8 capabilities, and you can't imagine driving a minivan, then the Ford Taurus X is an excellent, though little known, candidate.

Current Taurus X

The Ford Taurus X crossover SUV seats six by default, but adding an optional second-row split increases that to seven. These seats are set in motion by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission directs power to either a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configuration.

The well-equipped base model includes alloy wheels, a power driver seat, an in-dash CD changer, cruise control and a trip computer. Higher trim levels offer accoutrements like two-tone leather upholstery, Ford's Sync entertainment and communications system, dual-zone automatic climate control, premium sound and reverse park assist. Options, depending on trim, include larger wheels, a moonroof, adjustable pedals, Sync, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a power liftgate and a navigation system.

In reviews, we've found that the Ford Taurus X accelerates briskly, but the V6 makes unrefined noises at higher rpm, and the transmission is reluctant to downshift when extra power is needed. On the bright side, the Taurus X's ride quality is smooth and more carlike than traditional SUVs. In terms of functionality, the Taurus X manages to accommodate all seven of its potential passengers in relative comfort. Adults in the third row have adequate head- and legroom, a rarity in non-minivans. Furthermore, the Taurus X's low step-in height and optional button-activated flip-and-fold second-row seats make getting in and out of the third row easy. Regardless of trim, interior materials overall are unimpressive, although storage space is abundant and there are cupholders galore. Even with all the seats up, the cargo area still provides a generous 16 cubic feet of space. With the second- and third-row seats folded, there are 85 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity.

Used Ford Taurus X Models

For the 2008 model year, Ford replaced this vehicle's "Freestyle" name with Taurus X, even though the vehicles remain functionally similar. More information about the Taurus X's earlier years can be found via the Freestyle review.

SELECT A SPECIFIC FORD TAURUS X MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.