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Home/Registry/Ford/Taurus/1992–1995supermotors.net/registry/ford/taurus/1992-1995

1992-1995 Ford TaurusSecond-Gen Taurus (1992-1995)

1992–1995 28 on the wall 98 documents ↓

The 1992 model year brought the second-generation Ford Taurus, a restyle of the front-wheel-drive sedan and wagon that grew slightly in size and weight over the first generation. The standard engines carried over: the pushrod Vulcan 3.0 V6 across most sedans and wagons, with the Essex 3.8 V6 standard on the LX wagon and optional elsewhere, both paired with the four-speed AXOD-E (later AX4S) automatic. The Taurus was the best-selling car in the United States across this generation, part of a run it held from 1992 through 1996, with reported Taurus sales of 409,751 in 1992, 360,448 in 1993, 397,037 in 1994, and 366,266 in 1995. The performance Taurus SHO continued with its Yamaha-built engine. For 1993 Ford split the SHO engine into two displacements: the original 3.0 dual-overhead-cam V6 stayed with the Mazda-built MTX-IV five-speed manual, while a new 3.2 version was offered with the AX4S automatic. The 3.2 retained the 220-horsepower rating, now at 6000 rpm, and raised torque to about 215 lb-ft. The 3.0 manual SHO ran through 1995. The Mercury Sable remained the badge-engineered sibling of the second-generation Taurus.

Other Ford Taurus generations

1986-1991 Ford Taurus 1996-1999 Ford Taurus 2000-2007 Ford Taurus 2008-2009 Ford Taurus 2010-2019 Ford Taurus

The 1992-1995 Ford Taurus at a glance

  • Generation: second-generation Ford Taurus, a restyle of the front-wheel-drive sedan and wagon
  • Years: 1992 through 1995, replaced by the third-generation Taurus for 1996
  • Sales: best-selling car in the United States during a run that held from 1992 through 1996
  • Engines: Vulcan 3.0 OHV V6; Essex 3.8 V6; SHO Yamaha 3.0 V6 (manual) and 3.2 V6 (automatic, from 1993)
  • Transmissions: four-speed AXOD-E / AX4S automatic on standard models; Mazda-built MTX-IV five-speed manual on the 3.0 SHO
  • Body styles: four-door sedan and four-door wagon
  • Performance variant: Taurus SHO, with the 3.0 V6 (manual) and the new 3.2 V6 (automatic) from 1993
  • Sibling: the badge-engineered Mercury Sable

Ford Taurus 1992-1995 year by year

YearFord Taurus changesEngines offered
1992Second-generation Ford Taurus arrives as a restyled, slightly larger sedan and wagon; the Taurus is the best-selling car in the United States for 1992Vulcan 3.0 V6; Essex 3.8 V6; SHO Yamaha 3.0 V6 (manual)
1993The Ford Taurus SHO adds a 3.2 Yamaha V6 for automatic-equipped cars, while the 3.0 V6 continues with the manualVulcan 3.0 V6; Essex 3.8 V6; SHO 3.0 V6 (manual); SHO 3.2 V6 (automatic)
1994The 1994 Ford Taurus continues as the best-selling car in the United States; SHO offered in 3.0 manual and 3.2 automatic formsVulcan 3.0 V6; Essex 3.8 V6; SHO 3.0 V6 (manual); SHO 3.2 V6 (automatic)
1995Final model year of the second-generation Ford Taurus and the last year of the Yamaha V6 SHO before the V8 SHO arrives for 1996Vulcan 3.0 V6; Essex 3.8 V6; SHO 3.0 V6 (manual); SHO 3.2 V6 (automatic)

What changed for the second generation

The 1992 Ford Taurus was a restyle of the first-generation car rather than an all-new platform. The sedan and wagon grew slightly in exterior size and gained weight, and the styling smoothed the original jelly-bean theme. The standard powertrain and the front-wheel-drive layout carried over from the first generation. Across this generation the Taurus held its position as the best-selling car in the United States, a streak it had begun for the 1992 model year. The Mercury Sable continued as the badge-engineered counterpart.

Engines and transmissions of the 1992-1995 Ford Taurus

The standard 1992-1995 Ford Taurus used the pushrod Vulcan 3.0 V6 on the L, GL, and LX sedans and wagons, with the Essex 3.8 V6 standard on the LX wagon and optional on other non-SHO models. Both standard engines used the four-speed AXOD-E automatic, later designated AX4S. The performance SHO used Yamaha-built dual-overhead-cam engines. From 1993 the SHO was offered in two displacements: the 3.0 V6 stayed with the Mazda-built MTX-IV five-speed manual, and a new 3.2 V6 was paired with the AX4S automatic. The 3.2 used a larger 92 mm bore, kept the 220-horsepower rating but moved its peak to 6000 rpm with a milder camshaft, and raised torque to about 215 lb-ft at 4000 rpm.

Trim levels and body styles

The 1992-1995 Ford Taurus was offered in trims that included the base L, the volume GL, the higher LX, and the performance SHO. Both the four-door sedan and the four-door wagon were available on the standard models, while the SHO was a sedan. The Mercury Sable provided a parallel sedan and wagon lineup under a separate badge.

Best-selling car in America

The Ford Taurus was the best-selling car in the United States throughout the second generation, continuing a run that had begun for the 1992 model year. Reported Taurus sales were 409,751 in 1992, 360,448 in 1993, 397,037 in 1994, and 366,266 in 1995. The Taurus held the title through 1996 before the Toyota Camry took it for 1997.

The Yamaha V6 SHO (1992-1995)

The second-generation Taurus SHO continued the Yamaha V6 performance line. For 1992 the SHO used the 3.0 dual-overhead-cam 24-valve V6 with the Mazda-built MTX-IV five-speed manual. For 1993 Ford added a 3.2 version of the Yamaha V6 specifically for SHO cars equipped with the AX4S four-speed automatic, while the 3.0 stayed with the manual. The 3.0 manual SHO ran through the 1995 model year. The 1996 third-generation SHO then replaced the Yamaha V6 with a 3.4 Yamaha V8, ending the V6 SHO era.

Frequently asked questions

What generation is the 1992-1995 Ford Taurus?

The 1992-1995 Ford Taurus is the second generation. It is a restyle of the first-generation car, slightly larger and heavier, and it remained a front-wheel-drive sedan and wagon. It was the best-selling car in the United States across these years.

What engines did the 1992-1995 Ford Taurus use?

The standard 1992-1995 Ford Taurus used the pushrod Vulcan 3.0 V6, with the Essex 3.8 V6 standard on the LX wagon and optional elsewhere. The performance SHO used a Yamaha-built 3.0 V6 with the manual, plus a 3.2 V6 for automatic cars from 1993.

What is the difference between the 3.0 and 3.2 SHO engines?

The 3.0 Yamaha SHO V6 was paired with the manual transmission, while the 3.2 V6, added for 1993, was paired with the AX4S automatic. The 3.2 used a larger bore, kept the 220-horsepower rating but at 6000 rpm with a milder camshaft, and raised torque to about 215 lb-ft.

Was the 1992-1995 Ford Taurus the best-selling car in America?

Yes. The Ford Taurus was the best-selling car in the United States across the second generation, with reported sales of 409,751 in 1992, 360,448 in 1993, 397,037 in 1994, and 366,266 in 1995.

When did the Yamaha V6 SHO end?

The Yamaha V6 SHO ended after the 1995 model year. The third-generation SHO, introduced for 1996, replaced the V6 with a 3.4 Yamaha V8, so 1995 was the last Taurus SHO with the Yamaha V6.

Sources

  • Wikipedia, Ford Taurus (second generation)
  • Wikipedia, Ford SHO V6 engine
  • Ford-Taurus.org Taurus/Sable Encyclopedia, second-generation history
  • Contemporary U.S. sales reporting for the Taurus, 1992-1995
  • Manufacturer specification figures
By the SuperMotors Editorial Team · Last updated June 2026 · Spotted an error? Suggest a correction

Asked all the time

What generation is the 1992-1995 Ford Taurus?

The 1992-1995 Ford Taurus is the second generation. It is a restyle of the first-generation car, slightly larger and heavier, and it remained a front-wheel-drive sedan and wagon. It was the best-selling car in the United States across these years.

What engines did the 1992-1995 Ford Taurus use?

The standard 1992-1995 Ford Taurus used the pushrod Vulcan 3.0 V6, with the Essex 3.8 V6 standard on the LX wagon and optional elsewhere. The performance SHO used a Yamaha-built 3.0 V6 with the manual, plus a 3.2 V6 for automatic cars from 1993.

What is the difference between the 3.0 and 3.2 SHO engines?

The 3.0 Yamaha SHO V6 was paired with the manual transmission, while the 3.2 V6, added for 1993, was paired with the AX4S automatic. The 3.2 used a larger bore, kept the 220-horsepower rating but at 6000 rpm with a milder camshaft, and raised torque to about 215 lb-ft.

Was the 1992-1995 Ford Taurus the best-selling car in America?

Yes. The Ford Taurus was the best-selling car in the United States across the second generation, with reported sales of 409,751 in 1992, 360,448 in 1993, 397,037 in 1994, and 366,266 in 1995.

When did the Yamaha V6 SHO end?

The Yamaha V6 SHO ended after the 1995 model year. The third-generation SHO, introduced for 1996, replaced the V6 with a 3.4 Yamaha V8, so 1995 was the last Taurus SHO with the Yamaha V6.

Technical Reference

Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.

Wiring Diagrams (34)

Data/Spec Plates (7)

Exploded Parts (8)

Brochures & Literature (10)

Service Procedures (7)

Blueprints (3)

Manual Pages (15)

Fuse & Relay Charts (3)

Schematics (8)

Torque Specs (3)

The wall · registered 1992–1995 Tauruss

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