Overview & Reviews

The Ford Taurus X was a crossover wagon SUV that was produced for just two years. Technically, it first arrived in 2005 as the Freestyle, changing monikers a few years later when Ford revived the Taurus nameplate. The "X" differentiated this large wagon from the Taurus sedan, and Ford probably also meant it to signify an active outdoorsy lifestyle.

Whatever the case, the Taurus X flew under the radar while its flashy Flex platform-mate got all the press. It was actually a wholly competent crossover with 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.

Past Taurus X Models
The Ford Taurus X crossover SUV was produced for just the 2008 and '09 model years. It seated six by default, but adding an optional second-row split increased that to seven. The standard (and only) engine was a 3.5-liter V6 that produced 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission directed power to either a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configuration.

The well-equipped base model came with alloy wheels, a power driver seat, an in-dash CD changer, cruise control and a trip computer. Higher trim levels offered 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, included 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 accelerated briskly, but the V6 made unrefined noises at higher rpm, and the transmission was reluctant to downshift when extra power was needed. On the bright side, the Taurus X's ride quality was smooth and more carlike than traditional SUVs. In terms of functionality, the Taurus X managed to accommodate all seven of its potential passengers in relative comfort. Adults in the third row had 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 made getting in and out of the third row easy. Interior materials overall were unimpressive, although storage space was abundant and there were cupholders galore. Even with all the seats up, the cargo area still provided a generous 16 cubic feet of space. With the second- and third-row seats folded, there were 85 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity.

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 in our review of the Freestyle.

User Reviews:

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  Taurus X Review - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By Terry - November 17 - 4:53 am

  Fantastic car. My wife and I drive it and love it. Very comfortable ride and very quiet. If I stay off the pedal the mileage aint too bad.

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  This is my first Ford ever...Love it. - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By nottafordguy - October 23 - 10:13 pm

  Just bought with 110k. Well I got rid of my mid-life crisis mobile (a Crossfire) to accomodate a dog and clients. I have a large boxer. She hates bucket seats so this vehicle didnt help in that regard (all six seats are buckets)...but heres an easy fix! I folded the rear seats down. I then duct-taped foam to three planks I got from walmart and wrapped in blanket material to match the vehicle interior. The planks fit over the ridge (where the cupholders are) so they are perfectly flat and sit without moving. I ran three planks across the width of the vehicle, covered them with a blanket and voila - dog bed. She has the most comfortable ride in the vehicle. This is a good ride all around!

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  The Name Sold Me - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By julie - June 26 - 12:16 am

  Owned a Taurus sadan for 10 years, looked for replacement, found X, love it. We have had it just over a year and wouldnt have changed it. When it is clean it sparkles (Black shows everything) We added a tow hitch and it is great to tow small trailer for vacations. We have owned a Ford for the past 20 years and will continue it quality continues. Gas mileage runs about 21-24 mpg, with living in a rual area.

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  Why is Ford killing it? - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By Dilin - March 27 - 4:13 am

  We replaced or 2005 Dodge Durango with the "T Rex" in April of 2008. we have loved it ever since. It has done nothing but impress us and our neihbors since we got it, and we continue to get comments on its classy styling, which several people have mistaken it for an Audi station wagon. The 3.5L V6 is more than adequate for the Taurus X and it accelerates strongly and has plenty of reserve power. The interior is made of high quality plastics and the transmission shifts very smoothly. Overall it is a very impressive vehicle for the price and am very happy we chose this over the Volvo V70.

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  Love the car, hate the repair costs - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By carissa2 - March 16 - 5:20 pm

  I have owned this car for a month, just noticed it was leaking antifreeze so I took it in to verify my suspicions. Sure enough it needs a new water pump, unfortunately in this engine it is driven off of the timing chain. Resulting in very high labor charges of over $1k.

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  Best Vehicle Owned - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By mike - January 7 - 8:06 am

  Owned a Honda Pilot and the Taurus X by far is a better vehicle. Ride, interior quality, and fuel economy is good. the all wheel drive is great.

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  Just Purchased - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By Todd A - December 24 - 9:26 pm

  Ive only had it a couple of days but I am really happy I purchased it. Holds my kids and all our junk. Comfortable seats and driving position. Enough power for passing. Much quieter than 04 CR-V and 98 Camry. Havent used SYNC yet, but will soon. Im adding a trailer hitch for light towing (Only rated for 2000lbs). Good looking interior. First American car Ive ever had, owned VW, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota. I hope it hold up well.

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  Best car of this type - 2009 Ford Taurus X
  By ford_lover2 - October 22 - 9:56 pm

  We needed a car with a third row of seating. After driving all kinds of models, we decided the Ford Taurus X was the most comfortable and easy to use. The car isnt terribly distinctive, but it is fairly user-friendly. We bought ours used and have only had it about 5 months, but so far we are very happy with it. It has almost as much room as our old Windstar van and it is has a very comfortable ride. The best part about it is that it has two rows of usable seats in the back. This particular model was only made for a few years but it is well worth it if you can find one. If not, go for a Flex which is almost the same thing.

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  Great ride, bad on gas - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By American Girl - September 30 - 9:20 pm

  Weve had our X for several months. I do primarily city driving (true city driving stop and go every block for miles on end) and my mpg averages around 12-14. I didnt expect to get the advertised mpg but would like to get at least 17 or 19. Interior fit and finish is so-so. Great for hauling young children and rear-facing car seats fit great in the back seats. This was the main reason we chose a CUV over a traditional car.

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  New in 2009 - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By ww6stl - April 19 - 12:32 am

  My wife & I got this new in 2009 as we have 4 kids to transport, at the time from 16 down to 6 and sports from soccer to cheerleading. As of August 2012 it has 125000 miles. If I were on a budget, this is not a car to rack up miles. The radio has never worked properly and was replaced by dealer 2 times; the transmission was replaced at our cost for $3.8K 2 months ago (I have since learned the tranny is an issue on these vehicles); the power steering is on its way out and if I do everything myself it will be another $500 and if I dont $1000. I am on 3rd set of tires (average quality from Sams) on 3rd set of brakes. Mileage on highway between 22.2 and 24.1 even now.