2012 vs 2013

[Devin]

What are the biggest differences between the 2012 and 2013 model years?

 

[r1crusher]

Numerous styling changes mostly, inside and out. Front end exterior wise most notably as well as updated center stack and instrument cluster interior wise. I think there was also some minor updates engine wise which probably aren't worth diggin' into honestly.
'12 '13

'12 '13

I went with a '13 due to the interior updates which I thought were better than '10-'12s.

 

[SHOdded]

Significant upgrade to the brake system as well, better MC, booster & pads. Also the PTU received a cooling system on the PP/PI versions. Purportedly, the DI can run somewhat higher pressures, up from 2200 or so in 10-12 to about 2400 in 13+.

 

[r1crusher]

I was trying to think of the big mechanical updates...thanks Shodded.

Wasn't there something else that the '13+ got as well...like a bigger trans cooler or radiator or something?

 

[SHOdded]

From MotorTrend's 2013 SHO review:

Of course the new ($1995) Performance Package packs a much bigger wallop. As we discussed in our first drive of the 2013 Taurus SHO, enhancements to this package include a huge upgrade of the brakes and cooling system, plus other niceties like Alcantara on the steering wheel and stability-control settings for sport and truly off. The front brake backing plate is cutaway to improve airflow, which works with the cross-drilled caliper pistons and greatly upsized thermal mass of the system to virtually eliminate fade (see photos and captions). On the cooling front, there is an engine-oil cooler, a transmission oil cooler, and a third heat-exchanger keeps the all-wheel-drive power-takeoff unit cool (gear **** is too viscous to pump to the radiator for air cooling). This unit draws its coolant off the bottom three (coolest) rows of the higher-capacity radiator. This reduces the temperature of the power-takeoff gear by some 75 degrees F, and allows the car to withstand 32 hot laps of Michigan's demanding Grattan racetrack without overheating.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1205_2013_ford_taurus_sho_performance_package_first_test/

From Automobile's 2010 SHO review:

The $995 Performance Package adds twenty-inch wheels and tires, sport-tuned steering, a numerically higher final-drive ratio, performance brake pads, and two extra modes for the electronic stability system. The suspension fortifications standard on all SHOs do an excellent job of limiting body roll, but there's too much dive during hard braking and hints of torque steer while accelerating aggressively out of tight bends.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/0906_2010_ford_taurus_sho/

 

[PokerMunkee]

A ton of stuff.

- Heated steering wheel
- Power steering wheel
- MyFordTouch
- Different main cluster
- LED tail lights
- Remote start (customize to turn on heated/cooled seats/wheel, defrost, etc)
- More goodies with Performance Package (cooled PTU, tranny)
- Different 20" wheels
- Better braking system
- Paddle shifters are differnet (like everyone else)
- Can lock car car by pushing a button on door handles

 

[Devin]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to go look at a 2012 CPO this weekend. Though it sounds like it may be worth it to wait a bit longer to look at a 2013.

 

[jmr061]

Look at a 2013 Taurus in person. Even a limited or sel with MFT just to get a feel for the interior upgrades.


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[BamSHO]

I love the exterior of the '13, but HATE the dash and center stack of the '13. I bought a '12 and never been happier. I found a '12 without NAV on it, with PP package. It was hard to find. Yes '13 has the extra coolers, but you can retro fit the oil and trans cooler onto '10-'12 cars. I just added the factory oil cooler on my '12. Happy searching.

 

[RealityCheck]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to go look at a 2012 CPO this weekend. Though it sounds like it may be worth it to wait a bit longer to look at a 2013.

As the current owner of 2014 PP SHO and previously having owned a 2011 PP SHO, I would definitely hold out for the 2013. I loved my 2011, but the brakes were horrific (I bought the car new, so they weren't worn). They're good for one hard braking event, then braking is severely diminished until they cool. I went so far as to install a 2013+ master cylinder and power brake booster, which helped, but the brakes were still disappointing. While I had the 2011, I purchased a 2013 Ecoboost Flex as a second car. Since it shares it's powertrain/platform with the Taurus, it had many of the same updates the Taurus got that year, including the brakes. I was shocked how much better the 2013 brakes were. Within 3 months, I got rid of my low mileage (12K) 2011 SHO and replaced it with a new 2014.

The brakes are so much better it's nothing short of amazing. No fade after repeated hard stops and a much firmer pedal. In addition to the brakes, the 2013+ model's steering rack is hard mounted and torque vectoring is included. The 2014 offers noticeably better chassis feedback and is more responsive, making the car more enjoyable to drive.

As others have noted, the 2010-2012 center stack (non-touch-screen radio/climate controls) are better, but interior materials have been upgraded in the 2013+ cars. In addition, the sharpness of the LCD displays are much better on the newer cars.

 

[UtesFanRy]

As the current owner of 2014 PP SHO and previously having owned a 2011 PP SHO, I would definitely hold out for the 2013. I loved my 2011, but the brakes were horrific (I bought the car new, so they weren't worn). They're good for one hard braking event, then braking is severely diminished until they cool. I went so far as to install a 2013+ master cylinder and power brake booster, which helped, but the brakes were still disappointing. While I had the 2011, I purchased a 2013 Ecoboost Flex as a second car. Since it shares it's powertrain/platform with the Taurus, it had many of the same updates the Taurus got that year, including the brakes. I was shocked how much better the 2013 brakes were. Within 3 months, I got rid of my low mileage (12K) 2011 SHO and replaced it with a new 2014.

The brakes are so much better it's nothing short of amazing. No fade after repeated hard stops and a much firmer pedal. In addition to the brakes, the 2013+ model's steering rack is hard mounted and torque vectoring is included. The 2014 offers noticeably better chassis feedback and is more responsive, making the car more enjoyable to drive.

As others have noted, the 2010-2012 center stack (non-touch-screen radio/climate controls) are better, but interior materials have been upgraded in the 2013+ cars. In addition, the sharpness of the LCD displays are much better on the newer cars.

This.

I purchased a 2014 PP after extensively test driving both.

You won't be sorry waiting for a 13+....