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Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan nameplate produced by Ford Motor Company.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan nameplate produced by Ford Motor Company. It was introduced for the 1986 model year and sold in North America until 2019, becoming one of Ford's most influential passenger cars. The model included a high-performance SHO variant and was widely familiar to Canadian buyers.

History

The Taurus debuted for the 1986 model year and quickly became one of Ford's most important passenger cars. It went through multiple generations and design revisions. Ford also offered a Mercury-badged companion model, the Mercury Sable, alongside the Taurus from 1985 to 2009.

Design and market impact

The original Taurus was notable for its aerodynamic, rounded styling, which differed from the boxier sedans of the era. It played a major role in shifting U.S. sedan design and became a major competitor in the American family-car market.

Taurus SHO

The Ford Taurus SHO was the performance version of the model. The nameplate appeared in the late 1980s, returned in 2010, and was produced in multiple generations before ending with the Taurus line in 2019.

Discontinuation

As consumer demand shifted from sedans to SUVs and crossovers, Ford reduced its passenger-car lineup. The Taurus was discontinued after the 2019 model year, reflecting that broader market change.

Key facts

  • The Taurus was launched for the 1986 model year and became a major Ford family sedan.
  • It was known for its aerodynamic styling, which differed from boxier sedans of the era.
  • The Ford Taurus SHO was a high-performance variant produced in multiple generations.
  • The model was discontinued after 2019 as Ford shifted its focus to SUVs and crossovers.
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Canadian context

The Taurus was sold in Canada and was a familiar Ford sedan for Canadian buyers during its production run.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ford Taurus?
It is a Ford passenger car nameplate used for a sedan sold mainly in North America.
When was the Ford Taurus introduced?
Ford introduced the Taurus for the 1986 model year, with production beginning in 1985.
When was the Ford Taurus discontinued?
Ford ended Taurus production after the 2019 model year.
What was the Taurus SHO?
The Taurus SHO was the performance version of the Ford Taurus, with SHO meaning Super High Output.
Was the Ford Taurus sold with another Ford brand?
Yes. Ford sold the Mercury Sable as a rebadged companion model alongside the Taurus for many years.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taurus
    Supports: Production dates, model history, Mercury Sable companion model, and general overview.
  2. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/ford-taurus/
    Supports: Model-year debut, six-generation evolution, and discontinuation after the 2019 model year.
  3. J.D. Power — https://www.jdpower.com/cars/history/ford/taurus
    Supports: Taurus introduction in 1986 and its role in reshaping the American family car.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taurus_SHO
    Supports: SHO meaning, performance-variant status, and production timeline.