Ford Taurus History
Catalog record
Photography for this nameplate has not yet cleared the archive’s licensing and identity checks. The researched text below remains available while the page stays out of search and advertising inventory.
History
The 1986 Taurus was a landmark — its smooth 'aero' styling and modern packaging revitalized Ford and reset American family-car design.
It was among America's best-selling cars through the 1990s. After a brief retirement it returned as a full-size sedan (2008–2019, badged as the Five Hundred's successor) before the line ended in 2019.
Generations
First generation · Aero original
The trend-setting aero sedan and wagon that revived Ford.
Second generation · Refined aero
Evolutionary update of the original; America's best-selling car for several years.
1992 Photo: “File:1992 Ford Taurus GL Sedan, front right, 02-06-2023.jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Third generation · Oval styling
Controversial rounded 'oval' styling theme inside and out.
1997 Photo: “File:1997 Ford Taurus GL Sedan in Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic, front left, 2025-09-07.jpg” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
1999 Photo: “File:1999 Ford Taurus LX in Tropic Green Clearcoat Metallic, front left, 06-15-2026.jpg” by Cutlass / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0
Fourth generation · Toned-down restyle
More conservative styling; became a fleet and rental mainstay.
2006 Photo: “File:2006 Ford Taurus SEL, front left, 03-24-2023.jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Fifth generation · Full-size revival
The Five Hundred renamed Taurus, moving the nameplate to full-size.
2009 Photo: “File:2009 Ford Taurus SEL in Cinnamon Metallic, front left, 05-23-2026.jpg” by Cutlass / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0
Sixth generation · D3 full-size
Full-size sedan including the revived twin-turbo SHO; ended North American production in 2019.
2015 Photo: “File:15 Ford Taurus Limited.jpg” by HJUdall / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0
Body styles
- Sedan
- Wagon
Notable special editions & performance variants
Taurus SHO
Super High Output performance sedan — a Yamaha-built V6 in the originals, a twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 with AWD in the modern cars.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Ford Taurus
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.