After flip-flopping from the Taurus model name, to the Ford Five Hundred, and then back to Taurus again in 2008, it looks like the name is here to stay – at least for another year. The 2009 Taurus is a carry-over from 2008, not receiving any major design changes. It stands as an entry-level full-size sedan that boasts the qualities that echo American: comfy seats and a big interior. The 2009 also makes a reputation for itself as being a very safe vehicle, receiving high marks on updated and upgraded safety features. The Taurus comes in three trims, each available in both front and all-wheel drive; the base SE, midlevel SEL, and the luxury Limited. The Taurus has great safety, reasonably good gas mileage, a reasonably good ride, and a reasonably good engine, making it overall a reasonably good car.

The Taurus brings a 3.5-liter V6 engine to the table, pumping out 263 hp. The six-speed automatic transmission is the only option, marking the typical complaint that American cars aren’t as fun to drive as their European counterparts. The front-wheel-drive trims earn an EPA estimated 18/28 mpg, with the all-wheel-drive trims sucking a bit more gas at 17/24 mpg. The all-wheel-drive component is a nice feature for Ford to incorporate, and it goes to show that maybe the automaker is picking up some tips from its overseas rivals. If you're picky about performance, the brakes are reportedly a little soft, and the transmission is slow to downshift during highway acceleration.

Where the ’09 Taurus differentiates itself is its interior technology. The Microsoft Sync system is available for the Limited trim, integrating voice-command control for the stereo and navigation system, allowing no-hands options for the center console. There are available input jacks for your iPod and phone as well. The interior and trunk room is notably impressive, with the only standout caveat being the non-telescoping steering column, which may prove uncomfortable for taller drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2009 Taurus is perfectly safe. The sedan garnered full marks in every category, making it a serious consideration for a family car. Standard are four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, and both front and side airbags for the front with canopy side curtains for rear passengers. The Taurus also features a post-crash alert system that turns on the blinkers, unlocks the doors, and sounds the horn when the airbags have been deployed. It does everything short of ejecting you out of the top.