There aren’t as many cars out there that get enthusiasts excited these days, but the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO AWD did just that with the rebirth of a muscle car from the 90s. The new design of the 2013 Taurus builds on a successful re-launch of the Taurus, and the new look adds an aggressive stance and daring front end.
Exterior
The 2013 Ford Taurus SHO AWD makes a statement of power and size at first glance, but this is also a smooth and refined vehicle that makes sense. The new Ford Taurus SHO is the sportiest Taurus yet to wear the coveted performance badge. With its unique blend of inspired design, the Ford Taurus SHO shows it means business. For the new Taurus SHO, subtle differentiation from the other members of the Taurus family starts up front, with a performance-inspired grille in black mesh – unique to the SHO – flanked by series-specific, high-intensity discharge headlamps. Behind the front wheel openings, a fender-mounted scallop contains a subtle SHO badge.
Unique, 19-inch premium painted wheels wearing standard P255/45VR-19 all-season tires fill out the openings, giving the Ford Taurus SHO a muscular, athletic look. (Buyers can also choose 20-inch machined and painted wheels.) SHO-specific sideview mirrors – also in contrasting black – are heated, have memory functionality and contain downward-facing puddle lamps; the driver’s side features auto-dimming. In the rear, the Ford Taurus SHO features a unique decklid-mounted spoiler. Our test model had an incredible paint finish in deep impact blue that really stood out on the road.
Interior
How much room do you want in a sedan? Whatever the answer, it’s more than likely that the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO AWD will satisfy your needs. Inside, the new Ford Taurus SHO communicates its sporty characteristics with a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-trimmed sport seats with embroidered SHO graphics, unique woven aluminum trim and adjustable aluminum pedals with memory.
Signature Ford technology is also a key attribute of the new Ford Taurus SHO, with the addition of standard MyFord Touch powered by SYNC driver connect technology and the replacement of several traditional knobs and controls with clear, colorful LCD screens and five-way buttons. These screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each individual driver using voice command, a simple button click or touch-screen tap. MyFord Touch is powered by the latest generation of Ford’s award-winning SYNC, including sophisticated voice control for vehicle functions, connected Bluetooth devices, MP3 players and a wide variety of external media. It took a few turns to figure out how to use all of the new technology, but once we did it, was all good. Back seats easily fit three adults and the trunk space is enormous. We give credit to Ford for the quality and fit and finish in the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO AWD, as it shows just how far upscale the Ford brand has achieved.
Performance
This is where the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO AWD separates itself from all of the posers out there. Ford knows their audience and built a SHO that delivers on all cylinders. The new Taurus SHO drivetrain continues to use the award-winning and fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, delivering 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed high-capacity 6F55 SelectShift Automatic™ transmission. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters enable the Ford Taurus SHO to match revs for smooth, quick, manually selected downshifts. For the new model, these have been reconfigured for more intuitive operation, with one paddle for upshifts and the other for making smooth, matched-rev downshifts. SHO dynamics have been enhanced with larger brakes, torque vectoring control – using slight braking to provide the effect of a limited-slip differential – and unique sport-tuned suspension.
Specially calibrated electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) has been further optimized for an enthusiast-pleasing road feel and direct, communicative response. In addition, to helping Ford Taurus SHO deliver up to 25 mpg highway, EPAS enables the car to park itself with active park assist. The Taurus SHO brake system upgrades include a larger master cylinder, revised booster tuning for improved pedal feel, larger front rotors with 19 percent more thermal mass, and 67 percent more swept area to help brakes run cooler. Now vented, the rear disc brakes offer 53 percent more thermal mass.
As with the previous edition, all Ford Taurus SHO models come standard with an advanced, torque-sensing all-wheel-drive system to help deliver optimum traction in all weather conditions, and to enable the vehicle to efficiently deliver ample torque through all four driven wheels when driving in a sporty, enthusiastic manner. If you love speed and room, get out there and ride the new SHO, because you can’t ever take for granted these type of cars as there aren’t many left!
Overview
The Ford Taurus SHO is drawing new shoppers to the Ford showroom based on its unmatched combination of 365 twin-turbocharged EcoBoost horsepower, torque-sensing all-wheel drive, modern technologies, and up to 25 EPA-rated mpg on the highway. And many are buying, because at a price as tested of $44,485, you get so much car and smiles for everyone. We’ve heard the term “stealthy sleeper” to describe the Taurus SHO in the past, and this Super High Output model rises to the occasion and beyond for those craving powerful performance from a sedan.
