| Model Year | Changes |
| 1996 | Major Taurus redesign; 235 hp 3.4 liter V8, 4-speed automatic transmission only. Ovalkill. Significant character change: more of a high-speed cruiser than a road warrior (to some.) Performance is comparable to V-6 automatic SHOs. 16 x 6.5 in. wheels. Better brakes, though. Valve adjustment and spark plug maintenance interval increased to 100k miles. Timing chain replaces belt; no more maintenance. Coil-on-plug ignition. Improved push buttons on climate control. ZF rack & pinion steering system. 150 mph speedometer. |
| 1997 | Map pockets added. Mid-year "discontenting" documented in TSB
96-26-1: interior light no longer activated by outside door handle; 4-way
headrest replaced by 2-way only; lighted pull-down mirror in visor replaced
by flip-up
mirror; power lumbar support in passenger seat not available; secondary visor on SHO not available; heated mirror no longer standard; PRNDL in instrument cluster deleted; lamp out and low washer fluid indicators not available; rear lower control arms no longer painted black; front door courtesy lamps replaced with reflectors; SHO leather steering wheel common with LX; plastic cap covering screw in pull cup in interior door panels deleted; snap ring on lower ball joints deleted; JBL system replaced with MACH Audio system; Available colors are red, green, silver, black, & white. |
| 1998 | Similar to 1997. The only changes are that the sunroof, Mach 460 sound system, leather seats, keyless entry (with perimeter theft), and chrome wheels which were formerly part of a PEP are now standard. The only option is 6 way power passenger seat. Same colors are available as last year. Options: engine block heater & cargo net. |
| 1999 | Final year for the SHO; limited production run. A one size fits all SHO, no options. No more power ant, less molding on the inside of the wheel wells, no chrome wheel option (although the new wheels are very nice), no more carpet on the doors, different gauge background (a bronze color.) '99s after 11/12/98 also have no semi-active suspension and no button for the OD override. |