Before you make any judgements on it, drive the other available engines...I know that both 5.4's that I had were really slow, and that's with 3.55 and 3.73 gearing. I think you will find that even the V-8's are sluggish. But don't forget there's probably close to 2500 lbs more weight then the sHO, and the Taurus is by no means a lightweight.