The Vehicle Formerly Known As Freestyle will likely call the 2009 model year it’s last. The folks over at Ford are trying to rush a redesigned Taurus to market for 2009, and calling it “the one we should have made originally”. There have been no mentions about the next generation Taurus X though. Considering the fact that it’s a very homely vehicle that doesn’t do anything particularly well, it’s not much of a surprise. Sales have been poor, and the Fusion grille did nothing to change that.
I think the thing that really killed the Freestyle / Taurus X is the styling. A poor interior didn’t help, but it’s the outward appearance that really did the trick. No one these days wants to drive a station wagon, even if that’s what most CUV’s ultimately are. The Taurus X looks exactly like a station wagon though, and that’s where it fails. Other CUV’s hide their station wagon roots quite well.
Ford hasn’t officially states the the Taurus X’s number is nearly up, but keep any eye out for that announcement.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
One less piece of trash on the road.
Wow! Do I ever disagree with this negative review of the Taurus X. I own a 2008 model and had two Freestyles. I love this crossover and I certainly don’t think it’s ugly. My Taurus X handles very well, is sure-footed on the turns and the interior is well designed with plenty of room. I also appreciate the quality of this vehicle. Living in the northeast, my AWD gets me out of snow without a struggle. My car is dependable, pretty good on fuel consumption and is practical. The height is perfect too and makes entering and exiting easy on an aging boomer’s back and knees. I am saddened to hear that Ford is going to stop production of the Taurus X. Personally, I think they would be wiser to drop the Flex — now that is a vehicle that has inner beauty but the packaging is most unusual. I hope Ford reconsiders dropping the Taurus X — all it needs is some effective marketing which, for some reason, Ford never did. Are you listening, Ford executives? Consumers can’t buy one of your cars if they don’t even know they exist.
I have had 10 Fords since 1983 and the Ford TaurusX is one of the best cars I have owned. It does everything I need, looks and rides great and it isn’t another inverted bathtub clone car. Ford never marketed this car, but my dealer sold every one that he got quickly even without advertising (it took me 8 weeks to order one). The Flex is the one Ford should have canned. People do not need another huge vehicle (Expedition Light), but the Taurus X had a nitch market. I will be buying a station wagon type vehicle in 2010, but after 26 years of Fords, I am afraid they no longer make the vehicle I need.
I have owned new Ford’s since 1963 and my father many years before that. The Ford Explorer was the best they ever made until the Taurus X. Big mistake too cancel this fine product.
The writer of this article has no imagination at all. The Taurus X/Freestyle has a great sense of style..it doesn’t try to copy the sloped back, small windowed “new” cars that mostly resemble insects of some kind.
We are all entitled to our opinion though, but I want to go on record as completely disagreeing with this one.
My Taurus X is one of the best, most versitile cars I have owned-
and most owners will tell you the same thing. Negative comments seem to come from “reviewers” who have never owned one.
Linda said it right. The only folks that don’t seem to like the Taurus X are “reviewers”. Seems like auto reviewers have fallen in the same boat with the movie review guys in making bad judgements.
The X is one of the most practical cars I’ve owned. I’ve owned Cad SRX, Suburbans, and Excursions. Except for overall size and 4 wheel drive I’ll put my X up against all of them.
Where else can you find a 3 seat car, rear air, easy entry/exit with great gas milage and dependability for the same money? I think Ford is about to fumble the ball on their decision to kill the X.
I am with everyone else here. ! People in America don’t accept cars that don’t seem cool to them. . Their taste has deteriorated like in music. Freestyles and x’s outclass all the rest of them- get great gas mileage & are one of the best all around cars out their and that includes imports. It will be a shame-but this is America where class is gone out the window. The reviewers & magazine editors, etc have blinders on & are followers as are their readers……………… Very Sad………
Facts are facts… and the facts say that the public does not want the Taurus X. Keeping it in the lineup at a loss just to appease a *very few* buyers is bad business. Ford can’t afford to make statements with regards to unpopular vehicles. They need vehicles that people – a lot of people – want to buy.