2001FordTaurusFord Taurus2001 Ford Taurus SES SedanSedanSedanFWDAtlanta, GA/Chicago, ILAfter the 2000 redesign, updates are minor. A Lower Anchor and Tether for Children (LATCH) is now standard on all models. LATCH is an anchoring system for child safety seats. Also new is Spruce Green Clearcoat Metallic, an increase in fuel tank capacity to 18 gallons, a six-disc CD changer standard on SES models, power locks standard on LX and an optional rear spoiler.Four-wheel disc brakes standard on wagons, current styling much nicer than previous generation, numerous safety features, excellent value for the money. No rear disc brakes on sedans, notable road and tire noise, torque steer during high-speed upshifts, no second-gear detent on shift quadrant.For several years now, the Taurus has been the Yankee entry in the best-selling- car-in-America war. It's like the WWF, but for cars. Each year, the Taurus jumps into the ring to duke it out with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The goal? To earn that prestigious title of No. 1, or the "best-selling car in America." In hopes of putting the Taurus on top for 2000, Ford put its main contender through the automotive equivalent of a Tae-Bo class, endowing it with better safety, styling, power and suspension. The current Taurus' main feature is Ford's Personal Safety System. It's a collection of components that allows the car to more fully understand the nature of a crash and factors in whether or not the seatbelts are in use. With the system, the dual-stage airbags inflate at two different rates, depending on the situation. Additionally, safety belts are equipped with pre-tensioners that are designed to help reduce the risk of force-related injuries in a crash. Taurus also becomes the first car in North America to offer power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, allowing drivers of smaller stature to move the pedals toward their feet, rather than moving the seat too close to the steering wheel. Last year's styling changes were a welcome improvement. All exterior panels on the 2001 Taurus are carried over from last year. We give the '01 Taurus high marks in the ride and handling department. On the road, the car transmits truly usable feedback to the wheel, letting the driver know what is happening with the tires. The Taurus has a compliant suspension with excellent rebound shock valving for spirited canyon driving, yet without the harshness that can render a cross-country drive unenjoyable. Drive the Taurus into a turn, prod the throttle and the car responds in a predictable manner. Yet on the highway, passengers are treated to a comfortably smooth ride. The 2001 Taurus powertrains include the 3.0-liter Vulcan and 3.0-liter Duratec V6s. The main difference between the two engines is the cylinder heads. The base Vulcan has two valves per cylinder, while the Duratec has four. The four-valve motor makes 200 horsepower at 5650 rpm and 200 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm. The base engine makes do with 155 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 185 foot-pounds at 3950 rpm. All Tauri get a four-speed automatic. Both the Vulcan and Duratec engines meet low-emission vehicle (LEV) standards in California and the Northeastern states. The Taurus has always been a good value and now it's better than ever. And with the number of 2000s out there, the car is apparently a popular American-nameplate alternative to an Accord or Camry. Especially when price is factored into the picture. Chevrolet ImpalaDodge IntrepidHonda AccordToyota Camry336,000336,000336,0005UnlimitedNANANA63 litersV6153 hp @ 4900 rpm185 ft-lbs. @ 3900 rpm197.6 in.73 in.56.1 in.3392 lbs.108.5 in.40 in.38.1 in.57.3 in.56.6 in.54.5 in.55.7 in.42.2 in.38.9 in.17 cu.ft.StandardStandardOptionalOptionalNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableRating = GoodRating = GoodAverageAverageNot TestedNot Tested18 gal.20 mpg / 27 mpg360 mi. / 486 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$18,605$20,1457.35%$625N/ALX SEDAN (4A): 3L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up converter; battery with rundown protection; 130-amp alternator; transmission, oil cooler; front-wheel drive, 3.77 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with vehicle-speed-sensing assist; front disc/rear drum brakes; 18 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding rocker panel extensions; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote black outside mirrors; 16" x 6" steel wheels, P215/60SR16 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear ac and heat ducts; AM/FM stereo w/clock, seek-scan feature, 4 speakers,amplifier, fixed antenna; power door locks, child-safety rear door locks, power remote trunk release; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; rear bench seat; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, door trim with carpet lower, full cloth headliner, fullcolor-keyed carpet floor covering, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light with delay; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; partial floor console, glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, audio-media storage, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo light; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding and body-colored door handles.
SE SEDAN (4A) (in addition to or instead of LX SEDAN (4A) equipment): Driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored outside mirrors; air filter; cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring; cruise control with steering wheel controls; 2-stage unlock feature, remote keyless entry; panic alarm; premium cloth seats; illuminated entry.
SES SEDAN (4A) (in addition to or instead of SE SEDAN (4A) equipment): 4-wheel antilock braking system; single-disc CD player; seating capacity of 6, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, driver's seat includes 14-way adjustment (6-way power) and lumbar support; 60/40 folding rear bench seat; interior lights include dual illuminated vanity mirrors and dual auxiliary visors.
SEL SEDAN (4A) (in addition to or instead of SES SEDAN (4A) equipment): 3L V6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 3.98 axle ratio; fully automatic headlamps with delay-off feature; climate control; trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer, security system; leather-wrapped steering wheel.
SE WAGON (4A) (in addition to or instead of SEL SEDAN (4A) equipment): 3L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve engine; 3.77 axle ratio; rear independent short & long arm suspension; 4-wheel disc brakes; roof rack; front and rear body-colored bumpers with rear step; body-colored bodyside molding rocker panel extensions; power retractable antenna; fixed 1/4 vent windows; flip-up rear window, fixed-interval rear wiper; cargo tie downs, locking cargo concealed storage; chrome side window moldings.