Ford Taurus X

Ford Taurus X: Which Version Should You Choose?

Choosing a Ford Taurus X comes down to one mechanical decision: 3.5 AT with FWD or 3.5 AT with AWD. Both versions belong to the same generation, use the same 3,500 cc Gasoline engine, and produce 260 hp (191 kW) and 332 Nm. They also share a 6-speed Automatic gearbox, a 185 km/h top speed, a 1,867 kg kerb weight, a 130 mm ground clearance, and a 72-litre fuel tank.

Choosing a Ford Taurus X comes down to one mechanical decision: 3.5 AT with FWD or 3.5 AT with AWD. Both versions belong to the same generation, use the same 3,500 cc Gasoline engine, and produce 260 hp (191 kW) and 332 Nm. They also share a 6-speed Automatic gearbox, a 185 km/h top speed, a 1,867 kg kerb weight, a 130 mm ground clearance, and a 72-litre fuel tank. Based on the available specifications, AWD is the only recorded difference between the two versions; the FWD model is the simpler choice when all-wheel drive is unnecessary.

Ford Taurus X versions and generation comparison

The Ford Taurus X has one generation in the catalogue, produced from 2007 to 2009. It has an SUV 5-doors body and two listed versions. Because there is only one generation, there is no earlier or later Taurus X generation to compare for changes in engine output, body style, dimensions, or drivetrain.

Within the 1 generation, both entries are named 3.5 AT. They must therefore be distinguished by drive: one is 3.5 AT with AWD, while the other is 3.5 AT with FWD. The production dates for both run from 2007 to 2009, so neither represents a newer generation or a separately recorded restyling.

Engine and specs comparison

The two 3.5 AT versions have identical recorded engine specifications. Each uses a naturally aspirated 3,500 cc Gasoline engine with 6 cylinders in a V-shaped layout and 4 valves per cylinder. Output is 260 hp and 332 Nm, and both versions use a 6-speed Automatic gearbox.

Calculated from the catalogue figures, each version produces approximately 74.3 hp per litre and 94.9 Nm per litre. The kerb-weight-to-power ratio is approximately 7.18 kg per hp, or about 102.2 hp per tonne. These calculated values are identical for FWD and AWD because the recorded displacement, output, torque, and kerb weight are the same.

The data therefore provides no evidence of an engine-performance advantage for either version. Choosing AWD does not bring additional recorded power or torque, while choosing FWD does not mean accepting a lower-output engine.

Performance, mpg, and economy

Both 3.5 AT versions have a recorded top speed of 185 km/h. Their 0–100 km/h acceleration is not measured. City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are also not measured, so the data cannot establish an mpg or economy advantage for FWD or AWD.

CO₂ emissions are not measured for either version. Both have a Euro 4 environmental classification and use fuel labelled 95. Since fuel-consumption figures are unavailable, it would be inaccurate to claim that one drivetrain is more economical based on this catalogue alone.

Dimensions, weight, and capacity

The Ford Taurus X data provides the same recorded weight and capacity figures for both 3.5 AT versions:

Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured. Overall exterior length, width, height, and wheelbase are also not measured in the supplied data.

Both versions have independent, spring front and rear suspension. Braking equipment is also the same: ventilated disc brakes at the front and disc brakes at the rear. Consequently, the available chassis figures do not identify a difference in weight, clearance, suspension, brakes, or tank capacity between FWD and AWD.

Reliability and problems

Reliability records and model-specific problem data are not measured in the supplied catalogue information. There are no figures for failure rates, repair frequency, component life, or maintenance cost, so neither 3.5 AT with FWD nor 3.5 AT with AWD can be presented as the more reliable version from this data.

The specifications do show that both versions share the same engine output, torque, transmission type, suspension descriptions, and brake configuration. However, shared specifications alone do not prove equal reliability.

Which Ford Taurus X version should you buy?

Choose the 3.5 AT with FWD if you do not specifically need AWD. It retains the full 260 hp and 332 Nm, the same 185 km/h top speed, the same 6-speed Automatic gearbox, and the same recorded 1,867 kg kerb weight. In other words, no recorded engine, performance, weight, clearance, tank, suspension, or braking figure is sacrificed by selecting FWD.

Choose the 3.5 AT with AWD when AWD itself is the priority. Its engine still produces 260 hp and 332 Nm from 3,500 cc, and its recorded top speed remains 185 km/h. What the AWD version buys is the AWD drivetrain designation—not extra power, torque, measured speed, ground clearance, or fuel capacity.

The data contains no prices, so the extra money required for AWD is not measured. It also contains no fuel-consumption results, acceleration times, or reliability statistics that could quantify an additional operating-cost or performance difference. The clearest evidence-based recommendation is therefore straightforward: FWD is the default choice for buyers who do not require AWD, while AWD is worth choosing only for buyers who specifically value that drivetrain configuration.