The 2008 model year revived the Ford Taurus name on a revised version of the Ford Five Hundred. Ford had originally planned to sell the updated car as a facelifted Five Hundred, but renamed it the Taurus shortly before its debut. Built on the Ford D3 platform, the fifth-generation Taurus was a full-size car, larger than the midsize Taurus generations that preceded the fleet-only 2007 transition. The major mechanical change from the Five Hundred was the engine: the 263-horsepower Duratec 3.5 V6 replaced the Five Hundred's 3.0, paired with a six-speed 6F automatic, and front-wheel drive was standard with all-wheel drive available. Production ran from May 2007 to May 2009 across the 2008 and 2009 model years. Outside the United States, Canada, and South Korea, the car kept the Five Hundred name. The fifth-generation Taurus did not offer a SHO; the performance line returned only with the 2010 sixth-generation redesign. A renamed Mercury Sable served as the badge-engineered sibling for 2008 and 2009.
The 2008-2009 Ford Taurus at a glance
- Generation: fifth-generation Ford Taurus, a revised Ford Five Hundred renamed shortly before launch
- Years: model years 2008 and 2009, produced May 2007 to May 2009
- Platform: Ford D3, making the Taurus a full-size car for the first time
- Engine: Duratec 3.5 V6 rated at 263 horsepower
- Transmission: six-speed 6F automatic
- Drive: front-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available
- Performance variant: none; the SHO returned with the 2010 sixth generation
- Sibling: the renamed Mercury Sable
Ford Taurus 2008-2009 year by year
| Year | Ford Taurus changes | Engine offered |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Ford Taurus name returns on a revised Ford Five Hundred, renamed shortly before launch; built on the D3 platform with the Duratec 3.5 V6 and a six-speed automatic | Duratec 3.5 V6 (263 hp) |
| 2009 | Final model year of the fifth-generation Ford Taurus before the 2010 full redesign; the Duratec 3.5 V6 and six-speed automatic continue | Duratec 3.5 V6 (263 hp) |
How the Five Hundred became the Taurus
The fifth-generation Ford Taurus was a mid-cycle revision of the Ford Five Hundred. Ford initially intended to market the updated car as a facelifted Five Hundred, then applied the Taurus name shortly before the 2008 debut to revive the well-known nameplate. Because the car was based on the Five Hundred and its D3 platform, the 2008 Taurus was a full-size car, larger than the midsize Taurus generations that ended in 2007. Outside the United States, Canada, and South Korea, the car continued to wear the Five Hundred name.
Engine and drivetrain of the 2008-2009 Ford Taurus
The mechanical change that distinguished the fifth-generation Taurus from the Five Hundred was its engine. In place of the Five Hundred's 3.0 V6, the 2008-2009 Taurus used the Duratec 3.5 V6 rated at 263 horsepower, paired with a six-speed 6F automatic in place of the earlier transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard and all-wheel drive was available. This larger engine and six-speed automatic addressed criticism that the Five Hundred had been underpowered for its size.
Trim levels and body style
The 2008-2009 Ford Taurus was offered as a four-door full-size sedan in trims that included the SEL and the Limited, with all-wheel drive available. The related D3-platform Ford Freestyle crossover was renamed the Ford Taurus X for these years, a separate model and body line from the Taurus sedan rather than a Five Hundred wagon. The renamed Mercury Sable served as the badge-engineered sedan sibling for 2008 and 2009.
No SHO in the fifth generation
The fifth-generation Ford Taurus did not offer a SHO. The SHO badge had last been used on the 1999 V8 third-generation car, and it returned only with the 2010 sixth-generation Taurus, which used a twin-turbocharged 3.5 EcoBoost V6. The 2008-2009 Taurus was therefore a single-engine, non-performance generation.
Frequently asked questions
What generation is the 2008-2009 Ford Taurus?
The 2008-2009 Ford Taurus is the fifth generation. It is a revised Ford Five Hundred that Ford renamed the Taurus shortly before its 2008 launch, built on the D3 platform, which made the Taurus a full-size car for the first time.
Is the 2008 Ford Taurus the same as the Five Hundred?
Largely yes. The 2008 Ford Taurus is a mid-cycle revision of the Ford Five Hundred renamed shortly before launch. The main mechanical change was the engine, a 263-horsepower Duratec 3.5 V6 with a six-speed automatic, replacing the Five Hundred's 3.0 V6.
What engine did the 2008-2009 Ford Taurus use?
The 2008-2009 Ford Taurus used the Duratec 3.5 V6 rated at 263 horsepower, paired with a six-speed 6F automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard and all-wheel drive was available.
Was there a Taurus SHO for 2008 or 2009?
No. The fifth-generation Ford Taurus did not offer a SHO. The SHO returned only with the 2010 sixth-generation redesign, which used a twin-turbocharged 3.5 EcoBoost V6.
Did the fifth-generation Taurus offer all-wheel drive?
Yes. The 2008-2009 Ford Taurus offered all-wheel drive as an option alongside standard front-wheel drive, a capability carried over from the Ford Five Hundred on which it was based.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Ford Taurus (fifth generation)
- Wikipedia, Ford Five Hundred
- Ford Authority, Ford D3 platform reference
- Manufacturer specification figures
Asked all the time
What generation is the 2008-2009 Ford Taurus?
The 2008-2009 Ford Taurus is the fifth generation. It is a revised Ford Five Hundred that Ford renamed the Taurus shortly before its 2008 launch, built on the D3 platform, which made the Taurus a full-size car for the first time.
Is the 2008 Ford Taurus the same as the Five Hundred?
Largely yes. The 2008 Ford Taurus is a mid-cycle revision of the Ford Five Hundred renamed shortly before launch. The main mechanical change was the engine, a 263-horsepower Duratec 3.5 V6 with a six-speed automatic, replacing the Five Hundred's 3.0 V6.
What engine did the 2008-2009 Ford Taurus use?
The 2008-2009 Ford Taurus used the Duratec 3.5 V6 rated at 263 horsepower, paired with a six-speed 6F automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard and all-wheel drive was available.
Was there a Taurus SHO for 2008 or 2009?
No. The fifth-generation Ford Taurus did not offer a SHO. The SHO returned only with the 2010 sixth-generation redesign, which used a twin-turbocharged 3.5 EcoBoost V6.
Did the fifth-generation Taurus offer all-wheel drive?
Yes. The 2008-2009 Ford Taurus offered all-wheel drive as an option alongside standard front-wheel drive, a capability carried over from the Ford Five Hundred on which it was based.
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