Ford · 2000–present

Ford Taurus 4th generation

The fourth-generation Ford Taurus is an automobile that was produced by Ford for the 2000 to 2007 model years. While mechanically similar to its predecessor, major revisions to the bodyshell of the sedan were done to alter its controversial styling as well as add interior room; it was available in four-door sedan and five-door station wagon models. The fourth-generation Taurus would be the final one derived from the original 1986 model line. In 2004 and 2005, as part of its effort to increase the use of globally sourced platforms, Ford introduced the Volvo-developed Five Hundred and Mazda-developed Fusion to fill the slot of the Taurus in the Ford line (for non-fleet buyers, the Five Hundred also served as a replacement for the Crown Victoria). The Taurus nameplate returned in 2008, as Ford renamed the Five Hundred to increase its sales.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ford Taurus 3rd generation · Successor: Ford Taurus 5th generation

All Ford Taurus data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Overview

=== Exterior === When Ford introduced the third-generation Taurus, its styling and heavy reliance on ovoid elements became a point of criticism and controversy, strongly limited the car's appeal. As a result, for the fourth generation Taurus, Ford designed it with a more subdued, angular design, as part of Ford's New Edge styling, in hopes of increasing the car's appeal. Instead of sloping back, this car's trunk stood upright in a more traditional shape, which greatly increased trunk space. The roof was also raised into a more upright stance to increase headroom, which can be seen by the thicker C-pillar and larger area between the tops of the doors and the top of the roof. The front and rear clips were also redesigned on the Taurus and Sable sedans; all body panels were brand-new except the doors. Station wagons received the new front clips but from the firewall back they were essentially the same as the 1996-1999 wagons. The Taurus now had the turn signals integrated into the headlamps, similar to that of the previous generation Sable. The front bumper was also redesigned to include a larger front grille which, like the previous generation, contained a chrome bar running through the middle containing the Ford logo. The rear clip was redesigned with a larger trunk and trunklid, as mentioned above, as well as giving the Taurus two large taillights as opposed to the rear lightbar used in the previous generation cars. Mounted on the trunklid was a large chrome bar containing the Ford logo, like in the front. In 2003 for the 2004 model year, the front clip was slightly redesigned, and the Taurus got a new front bumper and grille. The grille was made smaller, with the chrome bar removed, replaced by just a large Ford logo in the center. The taillights were slightly redesig

Variants

=== Mercury Sable === The Mercury Sable, the sister model of the Taurus aimed at a more upscale audience, was also redesigned for 2000. Like with previous generations, the Sable shared all mechanical components with the Taurus with a unique body. The new Sable was also largely carried over from the previous model, with changes limited a new front fascia, rear fascia, wheels, a taller roof and trunk, and a new interior, though the interior was the same design of the Taurus with added woodgrain trim. Like with previous generations, the Sable offered the same powertrains and equipment as the Taurus. The Sable was again offered in GS and LS models in wagon and sedan body styles, with a new top-of-the-line LS Premium trim. An LS Platinum edition was also briefly offered. The Sable was updated in 2004 with a new grille, front bumper, steering wheel, instrument cluster, wheels and tail lamps. The Sable was discontinued in 2005 and replaced by the Mercury Montego (which would be renamed as the Sable in 2008) and Mercury Milan. This generation of Sable was not sold in Canada, as the Mercury nameplate had been discontinued there by the 2000 model year.

Initial discontinuation and nameplate revival

This generation of Taurus saw a significant sales slump compared to its predecessors. Having already lost its status as the best selling car in America when it was surpassed by the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in 1997, by 2005 it was no longer in the top ten in sales. Production of the Taurus wagon was discontinued on December 8, 2004; sedan retail sales halted after a short 2006 model year, and the Taurus became sold exclusively to fleets in the United States, while still being sold to retail customers in Canada. Production ended on October 27, 2006, as Ford idled the Atlanta plant, as part of its "The Way Forward" restructuring plan. The last Ford Taurus rolled off the assembly line around 7:00am, destined for delivery to S. Truett Cathy, owner of Chick-fil-A. Mr. Cathy's original restaurant was located across from the Ford Atlanta plant. There was no official event or function of any kind to mark the end of production. The Taurus was replaced in Ford's lineup by the Five Hundred and Fusion sedans, while the Taurus wagon was replaced by the Freestyle crossover SUV. The discontinuation of the Taurus sparked debate given its once-strong position in the market and Ford's well-publicized financial problems at the time. Analysts, customers and some interviewed Ford employees criticized the company for failing to invest in the car and keep it competitive, instead focusing all of its resources on developing and marketing trucks and SUVs. A USA Today editorial entitled "How Ford starved its Taurus" noted that the Taurus' death was part of a broader trend of the Detroit Big Three willingly abandoning once-successful products and divisions in search of "the next big thing", while their foreign competitors have been gaining market share by continuously improving their core pro

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Ford Taurus (fourth generation)

Manufacturer

Ford

Production

October 1999–October 27, 2006

Model years

2000–2007 (2007: fleet sales only)

Assembly

Atlanta Assembly, Hapeville, Georgia, United States, Chicago Assembly, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Designer

Moray Callum (1996)

Class

Mid-size car

Body style

4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon

Layout

FF layout

Platform

Ford D186 platform

Related

Mercury Sable, Lincoln Continental

Engine

3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 (gasoline / E85), 3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6 (gasoline)

Transmission

4-speed AX4N automatic, 4-speed AX4S automatic

Wheelbase

108.5 in

Length

Sedan: 197.6 in, Station wagon: 197.7 in

Width

73.0 in

Height

Sedan: 56.1 in, Station wagon: 57.8 in

Kerb weight

3316 lb

Predecessor

Ford Taurus (third generation)

Successor

Ford Five Hundred, Ford Freestyle/Taurus X (station wagon), Ford Fusion

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5467946CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taurus_(fourth_generation)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1361440823 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:05-07_Ford_Taurus_SE_sedan.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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