The Taurus gained all-wheel drive as an option for the first time, along with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a standard overhead-cam V6 engine.

As a rebranded and modified Five Hundred, the 5G Taurus was heavily revised, including a 30% increase in engine horsepower; front facelift; faux fender vents; chrome door handle accents, revised tail lights; and increased sound-absorption measures, including foam pellets expanded into the A-pillars and a new sound-absorptive material, marketed as Sonosorb, used throughout the body.

Ford's chief designer Peter Horbury noted that the Five Hundred's styling had been problematic, and said of the front and rear facia modifications: "when we did the face lift, and it became the Taurus; it didn't set the world on fire, either.

"[4] As with the exterior, the interior of the 5G Taurus is largely carried over from the Five Hundred with subtle differences such as darker simulated woodgrain and revised steering wheel.

The interior featured a revised radio faceplate with chrome trim around the buttons, a new double-tiered bin in the center console, and a new shifter design.

Notably, the 5G Taurus features Ford's SYNC system, developed by Microsoft, which accepts voice commands and can connect the driver's cell phones and MP3 players to the car, while organizing personal information.

[12] In a later interview, Mulally said the Taurus name was well known and had positive brand equity, something that would take time and money to give to the Five Hundred.

Receiving the same 3.5-L V6 and six-speed automatic as the Taurus, cosmetic updates to the Sable were more extensive, with a redesigned front and rear fasciae, larger grille, and clear-lens taillamps.

The redesigned interior adopted several changes, including two-tone leather seating, with hydrographically printed woodgrain in multiple color patterns.

In line with larger Ford SUVs, the Taurus X offered an outdoors-themed Eddie Bauer edition for the first time.

As a result, when they fail, antifreeze is sometimes dumped directly into the crankcase; mixing with engine oil and potentially damaging the head gaskets and connecting rod bearings.