The short answer: The Ford Taurus uses six-cylinder engines, and the high-performance Taurus SHO variant is powered by a turbocharged six. There has not been a factory four-cylinder Taurus in recent U.S. generations.
Historically, the Taurus was Ford’s full-size sedan built around V6 powertrains. The SHO model added forced induction to that six-cylinder layout for higher performance. Ford discontinued the Taurus in the U.S. after the 2019 model year, so current shopping is largely centered on used examples rather than new cars.
Engine options across Taurus generations
Below is a concise look at the two primary engine configurations that have defined the Taurus lineup, and a note on why a four-cylinder option was not part of the U.S. production.
Standard Taurus models (non-SHO)
- Typically equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (Duratec) throughout the U.S. production run, giving the car six cylinders of power.
These non-SHO Taurus models relied on a naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine and did not offer a four-cylinder option in the U.S. market.
Taurus SHO (high-performance variant)
The Taurus SHO is the performance-focused variant that uses a turbocharged six-cylinder setup rather than a four-cylinder.
- The Taurus SHO uses a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 twin-turbo engine, delivering substantially more horsepower and torque than the standard Taurus.
The SHO represents the exception within the Taurus family, combining turbocharged performance with a six-cylinder layout rather than a four-cylinder configuration.
Current status and how to verify
As of 2026, Ford no longer produces the Taurus in North America. If you are buying a Taurus today, you should expect six-cylinder engines in both standard and SHO configurations; a four-cylinder Taurus is not present in the model history.
What this means for buyers
For prospective buyers, this means you should focus on six-cylinder Taurus models if you’re seeking a stock, factory engine configuration. If performance is your goal, the SHO variant offers the turbocharged EcoBoost V6, though availability will depend on the used market or dealer stock since production ended in 2019.
Summary
Final takeaway: The Taurus is a six-cylinder sedan line, with the high-performance SHO variant powered by a turbocharged EcoBoost V6. There has not been a factory four-cylinder Taurus in recent generations, and the model ended U.S. production after 2019. When researching today, you’ll be looking at used six-cylinder examples rather than any new four-cylinder option.