The Ford Taurus’ 2010 redesign came bursting into the market screaming, “I’m not your grandma’s Taurus any more!” Given the massive overhaul that took the boring family car from staid to stunning, 2011 saw few changes, and 2012 brings even fewer. This should not be a surprise given that Ford is already promoting its 2013 Taurus, scheduled tentatively to debut in spring 2012. The full-size sedan returns with a base SE, midrange SEL and high-end Limited, as well as the show-stopping sporty SHO (did you ever think those adjectives could apply to a Taurus?). This year, each trim offers one additional color choice (Ginger Ale Metallic) and an integrated spotter mirror (to help eliminate blind spots) as new features. However, given the few alterations, the 2012 Ford Taurus should continue to offer numerous technology features, a spacious—and almost luxurious—interior, combined with a V6 designed to offer the power of a V8 while maintaining fuel economy, and all at a family-friendly starting price.

The SE, SEL and Limited return with the 3.5-liter DOHC Duratec V6. The base SE adds a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, while the SEL, Limited and SHO come with a standard 6-speed SelectShift Automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Duratec V6 makes an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city/28 highway with standard front-wheel drive, while the available (for SEL and Limited trims) all-wheel drive (AWD) drops fuel economy slightly to 17/25. In addition, the engine uses regular unleaded to produce 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. The SHO, on the other hand, comes with standard AWD and a twin turbocharged direct-injection 3.5-liter DOHC EcoBoost V6. Delivering the same fuel economy as the AWD Duratec V6, the EcoBoost engine delivers much more power, with 365 horses and 350 lb-ft of torque. However, it comes at a cost (both sticker and gas) with 91 octane recommended for the tank.

The SE, SEL and Limited ride on a standard 4-wheel independent suspension with AdvanceTrac electronic stability control and 4-wheel disc antilock brakes with brake assist. In addition to its sporty rear spoiler and dual chrome exhaust pipes, the SHO also features a sport-tuned suspension and shock absorbers, stabilizer bars, springs and strut mount bushings, combined with a rear multilink SR1 design. According to Ford, all of the SHO’s sporty traits have been designed to increase handling, cornering and steering responsiveness.

The large sedan offers comfortable seating for 5, with 6-way power for the driver’s seat in the SE and SEL, and a 10-way power driver’s seat with two memory settings for the Limited and SHO trims. Heat and/or cooling are also available for the top two trims for both the front and second rows. The SEL, Limited and SHO seats come with an unusual available seating feature: multi-contour seats with Active Motion in the front, which essentially offers a 6-way massage for front seat passengers’ lumbar and upper leg areas. Some love it, while others find it disturbing. The front seats are comfortable, but the rear may feel less so, with some reviews noting that the large exterior belies the amount of head- and legroom in the back. While the SE and SEL seats are covered in cloth, the Limited adds perforated leather trim, and the SHO adds Miko Suede inserts made with yarn created from recycled plastic soda bottles.

The standard audio system in the SE and SEL includes an AM/FM stereo with a single CD player. While the SE offers a basic audio system, a premium audio system is on the menu as well. Available for the SEL, and standard for the Limited and SHO trims, the upgraded system includes a 6-CD changer, 6 speakers and MP3 playback capability. The top three trims come with standard Sirius XM satellite radio and also offer an available 390-watt Sony audio system with 12 speakers. The Limited and SHO also offer an available voice-activated navigation system with 6 months of Sirius XM Traffic and Travel Link, as well as a 10GB hard drive to store music (about 2,400 songs' worth).

But the technology in the Taurus doesn’t stop there. The Limited and SHO include a reverse sensing system and rear-view camera (available for the SEL). The SHO adds standard intelligent access with push-button start (available in the SEL and Limited trims), which allows the driver to start the car by pressing the brake pedal and pushing the start button as long as the key fob is somewhere in the car.

The Sync system (standard for the Limited and SHO, available for the SEL), coordinates a Bluetooth-compatible phone and MP3 player and allows the driver to make hands-free calls, use voice commands to select music and obtain traffic alerts and directions from Google Maps when connected to a computer. In addition, a vehicle health report sends a diagnostics report online, and 911 Assist contacts emergency services through the connected phone after an airbag deployment.

Each Taurus also comes with standard MyKey technology, which is designed to help parents monitor the driving behavior of their teenagers, even when not in the car. The system can provide seatbelt reminders and low-fuel warnings and allows parents to set maximum speeds beyond which the driver will be warned about excessive speeds. Even the audio system sound level can be limited to no more than 45% of its maximum volume.

Safety features run throughout the trim levels and continue the Taurus’ techno theme. The Limited and SHO trims offer a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). The Taurus will activate a warning light on the side on which a vehicle is approaching in a blind spot. BLIS comes with cross-traffic alerts as well, using tones and visual cues to notify the drivers of other vehicles approaching from the side when the Taurus is slowly reversing from a parking spot or driveway. A reverse sensing system (standard in Limited and SHO, available in SEL) employs ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper to give an audible warning of objects behind the vehicle when backing up. A rear-view camera system is available for the SEL trim and standard in the Limited and SHO, projecting the area to the rear of the Taurus on the rear-view mirror or available navigation system. Adaptive cruise control and collision warning are available for the Limited and SHO. The adaptive cruise automatically slows the Taurus when surrounding traffic slows and then resumes its set speed when traffic speeds up. The collision warning system flashes a light display on the windshield to warn the driver of a potential crash. If the driver does not respond, the system will prepare the brakes and brake assist.

With a quiet and comfortable cabin redesigned with an eye toward chic style, combined with a long list of techno features and what some would call a humongous trunk (20.1 cubic feet), the 2012 Taurus should continue to offer a family sedan option that is no longer as bland and anonymous as the proverbial gray flannel suit. Although the higher-end trims come with a steeper price tag, and some feel that the sedan’s weight impacts its handling, the 2012 Taurus should continue to jockey for its rightful place among the full-size sedan competition.