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The name Taurus was first attached to a revolutionary car that changed the way automakers and auto buyers thought of family sedans. It was America's No.1 car and its overall design was the benchmark for future competitors -- particularly those from Japan. The high-performance SHO model was a cult favorite among car nuts who also had to schlep the kids to school. Then in the 1990s, the Taurus radically changed into a celebration of ovals, including its general body shape and odd elliptical center stack. It was weird, and even when Ford toned that quirkiness down, its influence as an industry leader fell as Honda and Toyota perfected the midsize formula the Taurus had established. The most recent Taurus was a rebadged version of the full-size Ford Five Hundred, giving up its midsize credentials to the smaller Fusion. The 2010 Taurus remains in this large-car category, but its thorough overhaul promises a more refined automobile than its predecessor and a much more engaging driving experience. Its sleek styling is hardly the revolutionary concept that the original Taurus was, but it's nevertheless attractive and more interesting than the blocky old model. Most noticeable is Ford's departure from its signature three-bar chrome grille -- rather than resembling a Gillette razor, it now looks like a Braun electric shaver. Now that's progress
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