My wife got a 2012 Limited AWD, which is basically the SHO without all the go-fast bits. That said, the normally aspirated V-6 has got pretty good grunt, and the gear ratios are well-chosen. I have not found myself wishing we'd gotten a SHO, especially given the marked price difference.
It's a big car with somewhat limited visibility. The back-up camera is definitely necessary, and works well. I was initially put off by the enclosed feeling, but it doesn't bother me now. It's a car you snuggle down into, unlike my pickup truck.
East TN has a lot of curvy roads with constantly changing elevations, and the Taurus handles them well. It ain't a Lotus Seven, but it can dance very well for a fat girl. The brakes are great.
The trunk can fit at least 6 dead hookers, or a dozen and a half if you stack 'em. The back seat fits actual adults comfortably.
The Active Contour seats are effin' awesome for road trips. In fact, the whole car is a great road trip car. Electronics, climate control, etc., all well-done. Road trip Knoxville to Seattle? Let's go!
Downsides:
Sometimes the transmission isn't sure which gear it wants. My wife doesn't even notice it, but I'm picky that way. I tend to drive it in manual mode around town as a result.
Because of the high beltline, visibility is occasionally sketchy, like when you're making a right turn onto a descending grade road.
The spare tire is a spacesaver. I'd rather have a fullsize tire on an AWD car. On the SHO, it's even worse: you get a can of FixAFlat, IIRC.
So far, it's been a good car with no problems. But, it's still fairly new, with less than 20K on the clock, so I can't give you a long term report.
But, yeah, I'd buy it again.