The Detroit News's view

It’s been an exciting fall around here, thanks to the totally redesigned 1996 Ford Taurus and its sister car, the Mercury Sable. First, Anita’s dad leased a brand new Taurus. Then, Paul insisted that part of a two-week test of the Sable was locking Anita in the trunk.

The giddiness extended all the way to Ford executives who some months ago watched with pleasure behind a one-way mirror as a focus group studied the new offerings – stripped of any identification, of course. To a person, the focus group all thought the Taurus and Sable were imported cars.

So much for ho-hum American family sedans.

She: I think we’d better explain the trunk stuff, because it started off innocently enough.

He: That trunk looked so deep, I just wanted to see how much of you I could squeeze in there. And then the trunk lid closed by accident, honest. Boy, was it quiet – for a minute.

She: Get your story straight. I called you out to see whether you could reach those seat-back release levers in the trunk. Of course, you couldn’t. So I got in. It’s a total body effort, and I can’t imagine why Mercury put them there in the first place – unless they provide a way out in case you’re ever abducted. And it’s so funny because my dad and I were talking about that this weekend. He said if anybody stuck him in the trunk, he’d just shoot his way out.

He: Good thing they put those little release levers inside the trunk. Now you don’t need a Smith & Wesson. As if anybody would ever be foolish enough to climb into a trunk…

She: Well, enough about your crazy test drive ideas. I have to say I love the look of the Taurus and Sable. In fact, when my dad was over this weekend, the two cars were parked side-by-side on the driveway and I came out at dusk to admire their beautiful, sweeping lines.

He: They are simply the two best-looking cars on the market today. Period.

She: But there are some minor things that the designers obviously overlooked. For instance, if you live with a cellular phone as your constant companion, you’re going to want to invest in the optional voice-activated integrated $650 phone on the Sable or make sure you get a battery-operated model. Trouble is, with a portable phone, you have to pull out the ashtray to plug in the phone. Then it becomes difficult to reach with the standard flip-forward console. And you absolutely need it flipped forward, because it makes a natural opening to stow your purse and keys.

He: I left my purse at home with my hat and gloves, so I didn’t have that problem. Actually, I drove the car for almost a week before I remembered to flip open the console. Then, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the cupholders are shaped differently from one another. My carryout Styrofoam coffee cup from the gas station fit perfectly in the middle hole.

She: The other design aggravations are the little wells on either side of the trunk. Word of caution. If you buy the Sable, make sure the bagger at the grocery store puts your stuff in paper bags because the plastic ones tend to roll right into those wells and spill out. The Sable GS – read, base model – doesn’t have lighted vanity mirrors either. And there’s an ashtray in the rear – YUK – but no cupholder. Also, the dashboard is so deep that it’s difficult to dust. But that may give you a good excuse for not cleaning.

He: Forgive me, sweetheart, but aren’t we supposed to be writing a test DRIVE?

She: I’m rewriting the rules for test drives. Purse placement, grocery bag storage and vanity mirrors are a priority. And I also want to add that, despite the little annoyances in the Sable, it’s a very homey car. That’s the best adjective I can think of to describe it. It’s not like a living room – stiff and formal. It’s like an upscale family room. A spacious one at that. The new Sable is much bigger than the one it replaces.

He: I’d rather talk about how well this car handles – almost like a European sports sedan without the stiff pr tag. The steering and suspension are top of the class, although the ride quality might seem a little firm for some tastes. I’ll bet some buyers will also find the base engine to be a little underpowered, especially if they are hauling three or four adults.

She: I thought the 3.0-liter V-6 on the Sable GS did a good job. I didn’t notice any sluggish feeling. Some buyers, though – probably guys – may want to go for the LS model, which has a 200 horsepower dual overhead cam 3.0-liter V-6, which has a little more power.

He: Let me break in for a minute with two complaints, one major, one minor. The small one: I wish the antilock brakes were standard, rather than a $570 option. The big one: There’s not nearly enough head room in the rear seat or nearly enough room to squeeze through the rear doors, at least not for my petite frame.

She: I’m going to stop you right there and say if you’re hauling small kids in the rear, this WON’T be a problem. And allergy sufferers like me will get some relief with the Sable, too, because it has a high-tech filtration system designed to keep pollen and dust out of the cabin.

He: If you want to know the truth, my preferred method of driving is without kids or people who sneeze constantly. You can ride in the trunk.

Anita’s rating: (world class)

Paul’s rating: (above average)

What we liked: Sensational styling; Inviting cabin; Rich looking materials; Fairly affordable

What we didn’t like: Rear doors too small; Base engine needs more power (Paul) Ride a little harsh ;If you need cellular phone, invest in optional model

1996 Mercury Sable GS

Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, six-passenger mid-size sedan.

Price: Base, $18,995; as tested, $20,925 (inc. $550 destination charge, less $600 package discount).

What’s new for ’96: All new for 1996.

Standard equipment: AM/FM stereo, power windows, power mirrors, power steering, power brakes, tilt steering column, intermittent wipers, tinted glass, air filtration system, air conditioning.

Safety features: Dual air bags, antilock brakes (optional), childproof rear door locks, side impact door beams.

Options on test vehicle: Preferred equipment package 451A, including cruise control, floor mats, AM/FM stereo with cassette, power door locks, power driver’s seat, aluminum wheels and light group ($1,410), antilock brakes ($570).

EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

Engine: 3.0-liter V-6; 145 hp at 5250 rpm; 170 lb-ft torque at 3250 rpm.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic.

Competitors: Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Lumina, Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Pontiac Grand Prix, Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Maxima, Acura TL.

Specifications: Wheelbase, 108.5 inches; overall length, 199.7 inches; curb weight, 3388 pounds; legroom, 42.6 inches front/38.9 inches rear; headroom, 39.4inches front/36.6 inches rear; shoulder room, 57.4 inches front/56.6 inches rear.

12-month insurance cost: $929

Where built: Chicago, Ill.

AAA Michigan rates based on an average family of four from the Livonia area whose primary driver is aged 40 with no tickets who drives 3-10 miles each way to work. Rates reflect multicar discount and, where appropriate, discounts for air bags and seat belts.