Ford Taurus SHO vs. Nissan Maxima SE vs. Toyota Camry SE in 1992

In its August 1992 issue, Car and Driver pitted three performance-oriented family sedans against one another on the twisting roads of southeastern Ohio: the Ford Taurus SHO, the Nissan Maxima SE, and the Toyota Camry SE. All three were powered by 3.0-liter double-overhead-cam V-6 engines with four valves per cylinder, and all wore firmer suspension, grippier tires, and sportier trim than their base counterparts.

The Ford entered as the established powerhouse: its Yamaha-built 220-hp V-6 had already made the Taurus SHO a benchmark among moderately priced large sports sedans. The Maxima SE arrived with a 30-horsepower boost over the version tested the previous year, while the Camry SE was a new sporting variant of Toyota's recently redesigned sedan. As tested, the Taurus cost $25,849, the Maxima $23,960, and the Camry $23,628.

After three days of hard driving, the verdict split the field. The Camry SE finished third despite earning the only perfect 10 in any category, for fit and finish. The Taurus SHO placed second: it was fastest to 60 mph at 6.4 seconds and had the highest top speed at 141 mph, but its torque steer and less refined controls counted against it. The Maxima SE won by the narrowest margin in Car and Driver history, with just two points separating first from last.

Why the Maxima SE Won the Four-Door Showdown

Why the Maxima SE Won

The test result was less about outright speed than balance. The Maxima SE reached 60 mph in 7.0 seconds, slower than the Taurus SHO's 6.4 seconds, but its suspension, viscous limited-slip differential, and more comfortable seat adjustments made it the best compromise. That reflects a judgment about day-to-day usability on demanding roads, not simply track numbers.

The Taurus SHO Remained the Straight-Line King

Ford's SHO was still the most powerful and quickest car in the group, and its 141 mph top speed kept it ahead in pure performance. But the magazine found its steering waggled with torque steer and its controls felt heavy and dated. Those criticisms explain why a faster car finished second: the test rewarded all-around refinement as much as acceleration.

The Camry SE Signalled a Shift

The Camry scored consistently well, including a perfect 10 for fit and finish, but its 185-hp V-6 made it the least quick of the three. The result showed Toyota was closing the refinement and quality gap so thoroughly that a sportiest Camry could now be taken seriously, even if it did not win the performance contest.