2006 FORD TAURUS NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2006 Ford Taurus?
By killing the only decent engine offered in the Taurus, the 200-horsepower Duratec 3.0-liter V6, Ford has effectively relegated its former sales champ to fleet-car status. Don't expect to find many of these on dealer lots for 2006. Also dead: The Taurus station wagon. Ford wants you to buy a Five Hundred, Freestyle, or Fusion instead.

Advantages of the 2006 Ford Taurus:

• Decent bang-for-the-buck, after rebates
• Large and comfortable interior
• Generous trunk

Objections to the 2006 Ford Taurus:

• Lackluster styling
• Poor resale value
• Fundamental safety features are optional

Editor's Advice:
The 2006 Ford Taurus may have grown long in the tooth, but it's still a capable performer and comfortable commuter. The front-driven, 3.0-liter V6 and four-speed automatic transmission powertrain is weak, but the package provides smooth cruising and good fuel economy for its class. The Taurus features a spacious interior for five adults, but the mish-mash of shapes and textures leaves us yearning for something of Asian origin. A tautly sprung, but compliant, suspension works well over pocked roads and produces decent handling, making long commutes or family vacations a pleasurable experience. Consumers seeking a basic transportation appliance in mid-size sedan guise combined with huge dealer discounts and factory rebates should consider the 2006 Ford Taurus, but finding one is going to be difficult since most will go directly into rental car lots and government fleets.