Model Year | 2008 | 2008 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 |
Model | Taurus | Taurus | C-Class | C-Class | C-Class | C-Class |
Trim | SEL | Limited | C300 Sport Sedan | C300 Luxury Sedan | C350 Sport Sedan | C63 AMG |
Engines | ||||||
Transmissions | ||||||
Drivetrains | ||||||
Tires | ||||||
Audio Systems | ||||||
Accessories | ||||||
Unlock the car by entering a code on a door-mounted keypad. | ||||||
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||||
Pedals adjust fore-and-aft to provide the optimal relationship with the steering wheel. | ||||||
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||
Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in. | ||||||
Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||
Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. | ||||||
Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. Includes the value of manual rear shade. | ||||||
Homelink. | ||||||
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||||
Rear disc brakes. | ||||||
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | ||||||
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||||
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||||
Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||||
Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||
Deploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others. | ||||||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||||
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||||
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||||
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||||
Cargo Management | ||||||
Usually part of an overhead console. | ||||||
Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||||
Climate Control | ||||||
Automatically recirculates interior air when pollution is detected in outside air. | ||||||
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||||
Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||||
Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | ||||||
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||||
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||||
Drivetrain | ||||||
When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction. | ||||||
Engine / Motor | ||||||
Permits a higher top speed before fuel cutoff kicks in. | ||||||
Exterior | ||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | ||||||
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||||
Flaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks. | ||||||
Front glass panel retracts over a fixed glass roof panel. Entire unit covers nearly the entire roof. | ||||||
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||||
Gas Guzzler Tax | ||||||
Infotainment | ||||||
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||||
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||||
Includes CD player. | ||||||
Audio system capable of playing DVDs on a front-row screen. Inoperative when the vehicle is moving. No value because of incomplete data. | ||||||
A DVD player and ceiling-mounted screen. Often includes a pair of wireless headphones. | ||||||
Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | ||||||
Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | ||||||
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||||
Screen-based navigation system. | ||||||
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||||
SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader. | ||||||
Converts text messages to speech. | ||||||
In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | ||||||
Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls. | ||||||
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||
Phone or other device operated via the vehicle's voice command system. Requires a compatible device--all aren't supported. | ||||||
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||
Includes frequencies for weather channels. Only listed when pricing a single model because incomplete data for all model. | ||||||
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||||
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||||
Stopwatch, lap timer. Usually includes an analog clock. | ||||||
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||||
Make it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog. | ||||||
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||||
Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||
Front row reading lights. | ||||||
Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||||
Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||||
Fog light on the appropriate side turns on (and might also swivel) when the steering wheel is turned. Requires and does not include value of fog lights. | ||||||
Reports engine speed. | ||||||
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||||
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||||
Seats and Interior Trim | ||||||
All-weather floormats. | ||||||
Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together. | ||||||
Won't be listed in conjunction with wood or aluminum trim even if they are available together. | ||||||
For carrying long items. Possibly also useful as a work surface. | ||||||
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||||
Manually adjustable lower back support. | ||||||
Manually adjustable lower back support. | ||||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||
Fold at press of a button on the instrument panel, to improve rearward visibility. | ||||||
A.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe. | ||||||
No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||||
Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||||
Fake wood trim, only listed if optional. | ||||||
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||||
Shocks mechanically adjust firmness based on direct road inputs. Not driver adjustable. | ||||||
Alloy wheels with a chromed plastic veneer. Replace and include value of regular alloy wheels. | ||||||
Outer surface of alloy wheels machines to yield a bright finish. Replace and include value of reqular alloy wheels. | ||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||
Transmission | ||||||
Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. |
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2008 Ford Taurus
6-speed automatic FWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
7-speed shiftable automatic AWD
7-speed shiftable automatic AWD
7-speed shiftable automatic AWD
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD