Based on the same platform as the Five Hundred, which it replaced, the Taurus used the old name again to revive Ford's full-size sedan in 2006 as a 2007 model.
Even though it wasn't a completely new vehicle, the 5G Taurus gained on the market due to its nameplate popularity and exterior styling. While the vehicle's main shape remained the same, both ends were dramatically changed in a good way. The Taurus, and its predecessor, were the first full-size sedans built by Ford in the U.S., which featured fully independent suspension and an all-wheel-drive system. Volvo developed the platform before the American brand bought it in 1999.
At the front, the Taurus adopted the three-bar horizontal grille design already used by other vehicles from the blue-oval brand lineup, including SUVs and trucks. Its new headlights design with raked front end and curved surfaces were very appealing for the customers. Two fake air-vents on the front fenders increased the car's visibility. A clear lens covered the triangular taillights with the reversing light on the upper side.
Inside, Ford designed an airy cabin with a curved dashboard. On the center stack, the carmaker installed an infotainment system named SYNC developed together with Microsoft, which allowed good connectivity with mobile phones and other storage devices. It featured voice commands which were easy to understand in the quiet interior. A long list of safety features made the Taurus a five-star winner in the NHTSA crash tests.
Worth mentioning that the Taurus was more powerful than the Five Hundred, and it was available with a front- or all-wheel-drive. Even though it featured only one engine option, that was paired to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission.