SHO 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SHO 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 230 hp 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SHO 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SHO 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Police Interceptor 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 288 hp FFV 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SHO 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
Overall Rating
The 2012 Ford Taurus brings in an interesting blend of comfort, luxury, and sportiness at a highly competitive price point.
The 2012 Ford Taurus brings in an interesting blend of comfort, luxury, and sportiness at a highly competitive price point. Offered with a hearty 3.5L V6, the Taurus puts down respectable performance numbers, putting up a tight fight with the likes of the 2012 Dodge Charger and the 2012 Chrysler 300. Reviewing the Taurus, we were impressed with its simplistic yet well-appointed interior. On the practicality front, the Taurus does a fantastic job of offering you lots of space in terms of interior volume and cargo capacity.
While there’s a lot on offer with the 2012 Ford Taurus, we recommend going for the front-wheel-drive SEL trim. The SEL trim offers a good balance of features at a decent price point. To further optimize your purchase, the front-wheel-drive drivetrain would help you conserve fuel without having to compromise too much during highway cruises.
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 230 hp 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
SEL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
The 2012 Ford Taurus brings in an interesting blend of comfort, luxury, and sportiness at a highly competitive price point.
The 2012 Ford Taurus brings in an interesting blend of comfort, luxury, and sportiness at a highly competitive price point. Offered with a hearty 3.5L V6, the Taurus puts down respectable performance numbers, putting up a tight fight with the likes of the 2012 Dodge Charger and the 2012 Chrysler 300. Reviewing the Taurus, we were impressed with its simplistic yet well-appointed interior. On the practicality front, the Taurus does a fantastic job of offering you lots of space in terms of interior volume and cargo capacity.
The 2012 Ford Taurus is offered in three trims, namely, SE, SEL, and Limited. Starting at $25,555, the Taurus can go up to $34,005 for the top-end, all-wheel-drive Limited Trim. There’s a significant difference in what is being offered at different trim levels, and one really must consider opting for a certain trim based on how much one decides to be spoiled. The following table gives an overview of all the trims and features offered with the 2012 Ford Taurus.
Trim |
SE |
SEL |
Limited |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP (FWD) |
$25,555 |
$27,755 |
$32,155 |
MSRP (AWD) |
N/A |
$29,605 |
$34,005 |
Key Features |
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution |
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation |
Post-Collision Safety System |
|
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags |
Post-Collision Safety System |
Traction Control |
|
Dusk Sensing Headlamps |
Emergency Interior Trunk Release |
Adjustable Speed-Sensitive Volume Control |
|
6 Speakers |
6-MonthProvided Satellite Radio Service |
Dual Zone Front Climate Control |
|
Single Zone Front Air Conditioning |
Leather Steering Wheel |
Simulated Wood Trim On Dash |
|
Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors |
Heated Mirrors |
Digital Keypad Power Door Locks |
We Recommend
While there’s a lot on offer with the 2012 Ford Taurus, we recommend going for the front-wheel-drive SEL trim. The SEL trim offers a good balance of features at a decent price point. To further optimize your purchase, the front-wheel-drive drivetrain would help you conserve fuel without having to compromise too much during highway cruises.
The 2012 Ford Taurus comes with a 3.5L V6 and manages to put down a respectable 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. The 6-speed automatic transmission feels a bit on the tardy side, but we suggest enjoying the Taurus for lazy highway rides.
The sedan also manages to climb to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in slightly under 8 seconds, which is nothing athletic but can still get you excited compared to a lot of other cars in this segment. The Taurus crosses the quarter-mile mark in 15.5 seconds and hits top speeds of up to 143 miles an hour, which is surprisingly fast. All in all, there aren’t many things to complain about the Taurus’ powertrain.
Model |
2012 Ford Taurus |
2012 Dodge Charger |
2012 Chrysler 300 |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$25,555 |
$25,595 |
$28,670 |
Engine |
3.5L V6 |
3.6L V6 |
3.6L V6 |
Drivetrain |
FWD |
RWD |
RWD |
Transmission |
6-Speed Automatic |
5-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
Power |
263 hp @ 6,250 RPM |
292 hp @ 6,350 RPM |
292 hp @ 6,350 RPM |
Torque |
249 lb-ft @ 1500 RPM |
260 lb-ft @ 4,800RPM |
260 lb-ft @ 4,800RPM |
0-60 MPH (Seconds) |
7.8 |
6.6 |
5.6 |
Quarter Mile (Seconds) |
15.5 |
15.1 |
15.2 |
Top Speed (MPH) |
143 |
124 |
149 |
Comparing the competition, the 2012 Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300 offer more power and torque than the Taurus, housing the same 3.6L V6 under their hoods. While the Dodge offers great performance at the most competitive price point, the dated 5-speed transmission can be a bit of a bummer. The 300 outperforms its competition, launching itself from 0 to 60 in an impressive 5.6 seconds. The Charger delivers the best quarter-mile results, crossing the finish line in 15.1 seconds. Interestingly, the Taurus manages to hit a top speed of 143 miles per hour, which is slightly shy of that of the Chrysler’s, which is 149 miles per hour.
The 2012 Ford Taurus delivers respectable fuel economy and owing to a sizable fuel tank, it comes with a decent highway range as well. Under city driving conditions, the Taurus is good for 18 miles to the gallon, and while cruising down the interstate, the sedan managed to return up to 28 miles per gallon. Also, the hearty 19-gallon fuel tank lets the Ford traverse as much as 532 miles on the highway without a hitch.
Model |
2012 Ford Taurus |
2012 Dodge Charger |
2012 Chrysler 300 |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
18 |
18 |
19 |
MPG (Highway) |
28 |
27 |
31 |
MPG (Combined) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Fuel Capacity (Gallons) |
19.0 |
19.5 |
19.5 |
Range (City/Highway) |
342/532 |
351/526 |
370/604 |
While the Taurus does manage to offer decent fuel economy, it stands nearly at par with that of the Dodge Charger. While the latter comes with marginally less highway mileage, it offers a slightly bigger gas tank, which directly translates to a higher range within the city. The performance-driven Chrysler 300, interestingly, offers the best gas mileage in the lot, delivering up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Coupled with a larger fuel tank, the sedan manages to offer more than 600 miles of range on highways, establishing itself as the ideal and powerful mile crusher.
On the inside, the 2012 Taurus comes with a simple yet elegant interior. The seats feel well bolstered and comfortable. Leather seats and a leather-clad steering wheel are on the table north of the SEL trim, and additional features such as heated mirrors and dual-Zone climate control are available. On the Limited trim, you’d be pleased to find lots of simulated wood, especially around the dash and on the steering wheel, which undoubtedly adds an upscale feel to the cabin.Â
Space is plentiful once you’re inside the Taurus. Visibility is great, and the seating position certainly inspires a good degree of confidence. The steering wheel hosts all essential driver controls for easy and convenient vehicle control without taking your hands off the wheel. We did, however, feel that the center console was rather cluttered with buttons that were tricky to get to during driving. All in all, there’s a decent balance of comfort and ergonomics, along with a tasteful blend of good materials and aesthetic elements.Â
Model |
2012 Ford Taurus |
2012 Dodge Charger |
2012 Chrysler 300 |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.0/57.9/41.9 |
38.6/59.5/41.8 |
38.6/59.5/41.8 |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.8/38.1/56.9 |
36.6/40.1/57.9 |
37.9/40.1/57.7 |
Cargo Capacity (Cu-ft) |
20.1 |
16.5 |
16.3 |
Comparing the interior of the vehicles in the lot, the Ford Taurus offers the most headroom at the front, while the Chrysler and the Dodge offer bigger shoulder space numbers. Legroom is nearly identical in all the three vehicles at the front. At the back, the 300 has the most headroom to offer, albeit by a small margin compared to its competition. The Dodge and the Chrysler come with greater rear shoulder space, while the Charger has the most legroom to offer to the back passengers. Some major interior features offered with the 2012 Ford Taurus include:
The 2012 Ford Taurus comes with basic infotainment facilities to keep you well entertained throughout your trip. Ford offers the Taurus with a 6-month subscription of satellite radio services, which is good enough to get you started.
With Aux Input, you can also choose to plug in your phone and play your favorite playlist straight from your phone. There’s also USB support, which definitely adds a degree of flexibility for your infotainment needs. Additional features include adjustable speed-sensitive volume control and a compelling 7-speaker sound system. Some key infotainment features offered with the 2012 Ford Taurus include:
The 2012 Ford Taurus comes with refined styling and sober design elements, which suit the Taurus’ strong personality fairly well. The front features sharp, bold creases that run along the length of the vehicle, creating a sense of power and refinement. The sedan also features subtle chrome surrounds, which add a degree of premiumness without looking too gaudy or pretentious. The side profile is smart yet inviting and offers the feel of a powerful cruising machine.
We really like the quirky kink at the rear fender, which serves no purpose but adds a sense of continuity to the creases that run along the length of the car. The rear, on the other hand, feels clownish, featuring oddly-shaped tail lamps. The folds and creases at the back remain consistent with the rest of the vehicle, and the dual exhaust setup adds a touch of sportiness to the aesthetic of the Taurus.
Model |
2012 Ford Taurus |
2012 Dodge Charger |
2012 Chrysler 300 |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
4015 |
3961 |
3999 |
Length (in.) |
202.9 |
199.9 |
198.6 |
Width (in.) |
76.2 |
75.0 |
75.0 |
Height (in.) |
60.7 |
58.4 |
58.4 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
5.1 |
5.0 |
4.7 |
Wheelbase (in.) |
112.9 |
120.2 |
120.2 |
Comparing the competition, the 2012 Ford Taurus stands as the heaviest vehicle in the lot, while the Dodge Charger weighs the least. The Taurus also measures the longest, the widest, and the tallest. The 300 comes with the least ground clearance of 4.7 inches, while the Taurus stands tall at 5.1 inches. Interestingly, the Taurus is offered with the least wheelbase of 112.9 inches, whereas the Charger and the 300 both come with 120.2 inches of wheelbase. Some major exterior features offered with the 2012 Ford Taurus include:
The 2012 Ford Taurus stands as an incredibly safe sedan and is offered with a wide range of safety aids to keep you assured during all your trips. The sedan comes with a plethora of airbags to keep you secure during a collision, along with child seat anchors and seat belt pretensioners. Ford also offers the Taurus with some compelling electronic aids such as electronic brakeforce distribution, stability control, and a post-collision safety system. Some key safety features offered with the 2012 Ford Taurus include:
The 2012 Ford Taurus comes out to be an impressive sedan overall. From a performance perspective, the 2012 Dodge Charger certainly does have an edge over the Taurus in this price range. However, the interior feels very well put together and comes wrapped in high-quality materials. There’s plenty of room in the cabin, and practicality is scarcely compromised. Fuel economy is decent, but we would have genuinely loved to see the Taurus put down better mileage figures. The Taurus also comes with incredible reliability parameters and has a wide range of safety features to keep you assured. All in all, there’s truly very little to be disappointed about the 2012 Ford Taurus, and we’re more than confident in recommending you to list this vehicle for your next purchase.