Automatic transmissions have been improving by leaps and bounds in the past five years, and the Taurus four-speed is no exception. Its shifts are positive, authoritative, and at the same time, almost impossible to feel. The kickdown response is not quite as quick as with some of the best European automatics, but it's still very, very good.

If you ever wonder just how important modern electronics have become, the Taurus with its powerful Duratec engine can quickly demonstrate the benefits of traction control: Simply switch off the traction control, nail the throttle, and the front tires will shriek as they claw for traction. With a powerful modern front-wheel drive package like the SEL's Duratec engine, traction control is almost necessary, reducing wheel spin to help you better control the car.

The Taurus chassis proves an uncommonly successful home for this forceful Duratec drivetrain. Its all-independent suspension provides a smooth, impact-free ride. Unusual in a family sedan, Taurus uses gas-pressurized shock absorbers, so that when it is pushed in the corners, it remains stable, nimble and ready for more. Cornered hard, its body roll is moderate, and the nicely tuned variable-ratio power rack-and-pinion steering delivers a steady stream of road information. And when the turning is done, this steering system provides improved on-center response, guiding you straight down the center of your course once more.

In an emergency lane-change demonstration set up in a parking lot, the Taurus stopped smoothly, with its ABS allowing steering control during hard braking. Braking performance was much smoother than that of a Dodge Intrepid tested at the same time.

With its excellent chassis and Duratec power, Taurus comes very close to being a very good sports sedan for the price of a family mid-size.