#Ford Taurus -- Although you've heard me complain about Sync and other cabin details in our 2010 Ford Taurus Limited, I can't deny that this full-size sedan is a fine high-speed cruiser. And, as I continue west on Interstate 10 through New Mexico and Arizona, cruising is all I'm doing. (Although, in this photo, I've detoured into Picacho State Park.)
The extra 280 pounds that Dan wrote about in our 2010 Taurus first drive does slow the car up some when I really want to get by someone. But at no point does our Taurus Limited feel underpowered. Moreover, the upside of all that poundage is a car that feels incredibly solid at highway speeds. Putting aside the legal justifications, this just doesn't feel like a car that needs a 110-mph top speed limiter. And all that extra sound insulation mentioned in 2010 Taurus press material actually makes a difference. Wind, road and engine noise levels are all very low.
I also like the suspension tuning. The ride is very forgiving despite the 19-inch wheels on our Limited model, yet the big sedan isn't floundering over bumps and ruts. I realize there are plenty of sedans out there today that can give you a good ride quality, but not many are doing it with wheels this large. The steering also has a nice heft on-center so I rarely need to make corrections.
It's hot driving through the desert -- 115 degrees in Picacho State Park (photo with cacti) -- but the air conditioner is fully up to the task of keeping the cabin at about 74 degrees. Our 2010 Ford Taurus Limited has dual-zone controls, but I've disabled the front-passenger temp setting for this solo trip.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 2,351 miles
DCuerpoJr says:
03:56 PM, 06/25/09
At that heat be sure to monitor your tire pressure. Don't want a tire to burst while at high-way speeds.
compliance says:
04:23 PM, 06/25/09
Someone brought up that the rear lights don't align in an earlier post, and I see that. In lots of the pictures it looks like the trunk has been popped open even. You can see it in the last picture of this post. How does it look in person? Is this a poorly aligned trunk or is it poor design?
alman08 says:
06:58 PM, 06/25/09
Ms. Erin Riches, how fast were you going when you're trying to get by another car? Thanks.
altimadude00 says:
07:17 PM, 06/25/09
^Faster than the other car.
mr_bots says:
07:20 PM, 06/25/09
No pictures by the big roadrunner at the truck stop outside of Cruces or outside of Chico's Tacos in El Paso?
mr_bots says:
07:21 PM, 06/25/09
Hit "submit" too soon...
Isn't that a nice, long, boring, eventless drive between Las Cruces and Tucson?
alman08 says:
09:32 PM, 06/25/09
altimadude - you really think so? Thank you very much for your brilliant insight. No one would have ever thought of that.
If you're trying to be funny, well, it's not.
If you're trying to be stupid, then you got it.
zoomzoomn says:
04:55 AM, 06/26/09
"By alman08 on June 25, 2009 9:32 PM"
Wow. You need to get laid, dude!
altimadude00, that was pretty funny. Of course, I'm sure that alman08 thinks that I am going to hell now. Whatever. :)
altimadude00 says:
06:37 AM, 06/26/09
Very well, I'll answer your question less-stupidly.
The speed at which Erin passed a car would be less than 110 MPH.
altimadude00 says:
06:38 AM, 06/26/09
Oh, and she's talking about how the weight gain between the '10 and the '09 model Taurus is more noticeable when passing or accelerating, not her speed.
sixwheeler says:
03:33 AM, 06/27/09
alman, spare us your self-righteous, right-wing Republican crud. This is a discussion about cars. Cars don't kill people. People kill people. Get out more. Get a date. Buy a gun.