2009 Ford Taurus

Visibility is outstanding in the Ford Taurus, testers say: No pillar-peek or doubting your blind spot with these tall windows and outsized side mirrors. "I never wondered if I had missed something with my over-the-shoulder glances," Kelsey Mays reports at Cars.com. Some testers also like the way they sit up high in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable twins, with a commanding view of the road that might placate those contemplating the switch from an SUV. All-wheel drive is an option -- another SUV-style offering -- but it lowers fuel economy.

All Ford Taurus trim levels are offered with front-wheel drive, which results in fuel economy of 21 mpg in mixed driving (18 city/28 highway). That's two mpg less than the Toyota Avalon. Upper-level trims are also offered with all-wheel drive for $1,850 extra, which drops the Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy rating to 19 mpg mixed (17 city/24 highway). A 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission is the only powertrain combination offered in the Ford Taurus. Reviewers say acceleration is adequate, but it's not as fast as you might expect because the Taurus is heavy.

The entry-level Ford Taurus SE (*est. $25,170) includes amenities such as cruise control, remote entry, power mirrors, power locks and windows, and a power driver's seat. Reviews say the 60/40 folding rear bench and fold-flat front passenger seat add to the Taurus' already huge cargo capacity. The Taurus SEL (*est. $26,670) adds dual-zone automatic climate control, heated mirrors, satellite radio and more. The top-level Taurus Limited (*est. $30,670) makes heated leather seats and a rear obstacle detection system standard, among other things.

Experts predict that the 2009 Ford Taurus will be at least as reliable as the average car, based on owner surveys of past models, and it's covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Consumer Reports provides the most complete picture of the Ford Taurus. Editors test the Taurus extensively and collect data from owners about its reliability. Road tests at Edmunds.com and Cars.com are written up into clear narrative reviews, while ConsumerGuide.com testers issue numeric scores. Write-ups at Car and Driver and Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine are much shorter and less complete than the best reviews. Other review and testing organizations concentrate on just one aspect of the Taurus: safety, fuel economy or reliability.