From the outside, it might just seem like another

full-size sedan
— spacious, comfortable, and designed to get you where you need to go with little fuss. If you take a closer look, however, you’ll realize that it’s not just an

ordinary commuter car
. Beneath the everyday exterior, there’s more to the story. What looks like a simple family vehicle is actually hiding a surprising performance legacy.

It has a turbocharged engine and an

all-wheel-drive system
, the kind of setup you’d usually see in European luxury vehicles. But unlike many other

performance sedans
, this one doesn’t wear flashy badges or demand top-dollar prices.

It’s not about drawing attention
; rather, it’s an option that’s perfect for the enthusiast looking for cheap thrills in an understated (if a little unexpected) package. And if you’re a frequent government auction buyer, there are even greater deals to be had.

The Ford Taurus SHO Is A Bona Fide Sports Sedan Bargain

If you’re frustrated by the state of the used car market, and you’re having a hard time finding a deal on a vehicle with decent performance, never fret. We’d suggest the fourth-generation

Taurus SHO
, as it’s a certifiable second-hand steal these days. Ford
introduced the

four-door sedan
in 2010 with a roughly $37,770 MSRP, and it could run you as much as $45,395 by the time everything was all said and done. Even despite boasting a much larger footprint compared to previous Taurus SHO models, critics were generally amenable to the Ford’s comfort and straight-line speed.

Ford

Ford

Ford is one of the most recognizable vehicle brands on the planet, and has revolutionized the industry with some incredible cars over the years, including the Mustang, GT40, Maverick, and a lot more.

Divisions

Ford Model e, Ford Blue

Founded

1903

Founder

Henry Ford

Headquarters

Dearborn, Michigan

As evidenced by the above Classic.com averages, though, the Taurus is commanding a far sight less than its original retail price. While these official auction results generally represent more well-kept and/or lower-mileage examples (meaning you don’t see your average private party transaction), you will find some

Police Interceptors
in the sample size. Admittedly, the odd SE and Limited models do skew the prices just a bit, as Classic.com doesn’t allow for trim filtering. However, Kelley Blue Book’s projections indicate some severe depreciation, and recent sales on both Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids seem to correlate with the trend.

A Comparison Of Taurus SHO Kelley Blue Book Values Through The Years

The further back you’re willing to go with the

sixth-generation Taurus
, the better the potential for a steal. By Kelley Blue Book’s estimation, you shouldn’t be paying more than 12 grand for anything older than a 2015 model in average condition, whether that’s through a dealer or a private party. However, if you’re able to be patient and shop private sellers, even a 2016 should be attainable for about $15k.

As always, it’s worth taking Kelley Blue Book prices with a grain of salt. They make for much more optimistic numbers, as they factor in a much wider variety of vehicles than the above Classic.com auctions. You may have to make a few concessions when it comes to things like a

higher-mileage car
, less maintenance history, and even salvage status if you’re looking to match or even beat the above estimates.

Online Auctions Show Mixed Results

When you look at completed fourth-generation

Taurus SHO
auctions on Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. This 2010 example sold for $11,662 last March, which puts it above KBB projections but still makes it a decent deal with less than 76k miles on the odometer. Another 2011 Taurus also sold for above its anticipated value, closing at $14,150. We’d expect that the car’s 39,000-mile history helped command the premium.

Over on Cars & Bids, the Ford Taurus fares similarly. You’ll find a 2011 example with just over 100,000 miles that sold for $8,500 back in April of 2023. By contrast, a 2016 model and a 2017 model have each managed to clear $20k. The former closed at $23,500, likely because of its sub-30k odometer and originality. While the latter couldn’t quite match that number on account of its mileage and mods, it still netted some $20,019.

What The SHO Offers For Performance Enthusiasts

The Ford Taurus SHO
(Super High Output) debuted in 1989 as a performance-oriented variant of the standard Taurus. Thanks to its

Yamaha-developed
3.0-liter V6 engine, the model quickly garnered attention for its engaging performance, offering sporty handling and punchy acceleration in a practical, full-sized sedan package. Over the years, the SHO badge has appeared on four different Taurus generations, though none of the

subsequent models
have managed to cause quite the same fervor as the original.

Ford introduced the sixth-generation in 2009, and it marked a significant departure from the previous designs, larger in footprint and more integrated in tech. The Taurus also the return of the SHO badge after a significant hiatus. Unlike its predecessors, however, its V6 was

turbocharged
. Rather than the Yamaha-developed 3.0 liter, Ford opted for a 3.5-liter twin-turbo

EcoBoost
V6.

Sixth-Generation Ford Taurus Specs

Ford

Now, you’re not getting the driving dynamics of a

European sports sedan
, such as an Audi or a BMW, in a car like the Taurus, but it does make for some affordable grunt. Between the all-wheel-drive system and the sport-tuned suspension, it’s just a few tenths of a second slower to 60 mph than

sleeper sedans
like the Chevy SS, and that boasts nearly double the displacement and some 50 more horsepower. As Car and Driver Found in its review: “On-demand all-wheel drive and a brake-based torque-vectoring system keep owners who are bent on exploring cornering limits from receiving an involuntary crash course in physics. The recalibrated power steering shows a marked improvement, transparent when cruising and aggressive when summoned.”

Other Factors To Consider When Shopping For The Taurus SHO

Retired Police Cars Offer Even More Savings

Ford Police Interceptor Sedan Performance Comparison

KBB, JD Power

Assuming you’re even more strapped for cash, there’s always a

retired police car
. When

Crown Victoria
production ended in 2011, Ford replaced its Police mainstay with a fleet of Taurus-based cruisers known as the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (FPIS), and some options were essentially SHOs in their specs and performance. For engines, law enforcement initially had the choice of a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, but Ford eventually added the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-pot for special service cases and a larger 3.7L V6. Of the four, it’s the SHO’s twin-turbo V6 that you want, as that option enabled an impressive 5.3-second 0-60 mph sprint.

Taurus FPIS Average Price Comparison

To make the Taurus

ready for duty
, Ford fitted the squad car with the SHO steering box, heavy-duty suspension, and upgraded electrical components like a beefier alternator. Of course, there are also a host of other differences, like auxiliary lighting, wheels, and rear seat availability. If you want the most SHO-comparable Interceptor, opt for one of the AWD models. However, even more savings are to be had if you’re willing to settle for one with

front-wheel drive
.

Sources: Classic.com, KBB, J.D. Power,