14 of 22
BACKNEXT
2010 Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus was once a symbol of what American car companies could do right. Then it became a symbol of everything they were doing wrong.

In 1986, Ford made big news with the Taurus, which sported a long list of customer-friendly innovations that made it the best-selling car in America.

Then came SUVs, and the innovations stopped while Ford, like GM and Chrysler, shifted its focus. The Toyota Camry captured the sales crown for the first time in 1996 while the Taurus was allowed to dodder off to the rental lot pasture.

Ford eventually slapped the name on what had been the Five Hundred, a good and practical car, but one that hadn't caught on with customers. After the name change, it still didn't.

This new Taurus might just bring back the magic. Arriving a year earlier than Ford had projected, thanks to new hi-tech design and engineering processes, the 2010 model is more dynamic looking and, once again, features some interesting innovations.

Among its new available features is a "Cross Traffic Alert" system that uses radar to detect cars approaching from the side as the car backs out of a parking space. A massaging driver's seat is also available. In an industry first, it works out kinks not only in the driver's back, but in the bottom and thighs, as well. Ford promises the massage is "enough to help relieve fatigue, but not enough to be distracting to the driver."

Starting prices will be the same as for the current Taurus, at about $26,000. The massage is extra, however.

NEXT: Chevrolet Spark

Last updated January 13 2009: 3:59 PM ET
More Galleries
10 of the most luxurious airline amenity kits When it comes to in-flight pampering, the amenity kits offered by these 10 airlines are the ultimate in luxury More
7 startups that want to improve your mental health From a text therapy platform to apps that push you reminders to breathe, these self-care startups offer help on a daily basis or in times of need. More
5 radical technologies that will change how you get to work From Uber's flying cars to the Hyperloop, these are some of the neatest transportation concepts in the works today. More

Special Offer

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.