On the road, the LX Wagon turned in an impressive performance: a combination of a smooth-as-silk ride, easy handling and reassuring performance.With the LX version of the Taurus Wagon came a healthy 3.8-liter, sequentially fuel-injected V6 mated to an electronically controlled four-speed transmission. This power train brought our test vehicle close to matching the responsiveness of a sports car. From a dead stop, we made it to 45 mph in a jiffy. When passing on the highway, we moved briskly from 45 to 60 mph, with the engine breezing at a top range of 2,000 rpms. This performance was made all the more formidable by the large engine's EPA ratings of 19 city and 28 highway.
Stable cornering, nimble lane changes and easy steering have always been part of the Taurus performance package, and they were evident during our drive. Our favorite part of the test was negotiating a 90degree turn at 35 mph without the slightest hint of skidding or loss of control. Other maneuvers were even more gratifying, thanks to the new speed-assisted variable-power steering unit.
Although our test vehicle wasn't equipped with the optional four-wheel anti-lock brakes, braking was swift and free from any alarming lockups. We attributed that, in part, to the automatic transaxle that was part of our vehicle's front-wheel drive power transfer system.
As for wind, road and engine noise, they were virtually undetectable in the Taurus LX Wagon.
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