Sure why not? The SHO can handle dirt and gravel roads just fine. The SHO is AWD and it's not like he's going mud bogg'n with it. It's no lower than an Evo or STi. And, it shares it's platform with the capable Volvo XC60 AWD cross-over.

Ford says that it incorporates an "advanced array of internal electromechanical clutches to efficiently distribute torque to the wheels with optimum traction", so wet or dry, snow covered or gravel, the system, combined with electronic traction and stability control, should maintain its composure for confidence inspiring road-holding.
source: http://autos.canada.com/components/p...1-a08b1dff628d

BTW, lots of press photos showing the SHO on dirt/gravel :

 

^ i think thats more just for looks. I highly doubt the sho is being advertised by ford for off roading. As much as i love the the new taurus i would never take it off a paved rd reguardless of the awd. IMO I dont think it could handle rough terrain like the wrx sti or evo can. I wouldn't bring a GTX or TSI off road even though they are AWD.

 

You're greatly underestimating the SHO, then.

 

My friend test drove a 2010 SHO, heres what he told me.

It has some decent power, but it's a huge car so a lot of the 365 horse is wasted if you ask me. The all wheel drive is front biased so under heavy acceleration there is some noticeable torque steer. All in all, my modified 2006 Taurus is a more fun to throw around. The amazing thing is if I would've been able to come up with $4000 more, I could've driven that new SHO home today.

 

I am not underestimating the SHO. I am very well aware of how well the SHO is built and the performance it has. I have owned a Taurus and almost bought a new one in 2009. Plus I have looked at the SHO but it was out of my price range. Certain vehicles are just not made to take off road reguardless of how its built. Whats the point to purchase a Navigator 4X4 for around $57,300 or a Cayenne 4x4 for over 45,500.00 and the countless other vehicles that are 4x4 or AWD that are worth so much money to take off road and destroy??? I would not spend that amount of money to take a luxary vehicle off road and have hope that it doesn't flip, roll, and break. My OPINION and i'm entitled too it.
How often do you hear a person taking the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD off road ?? Thats a 43,995. dollar vehicle. I would not waste that amount of cash to take it off road and treat it as a beater. Who would take a 2010 BUICK LaCrosse CXL AWD off road ? I highly doubt someone would purchase those cars for that purpose. Who buys a Mercedes-Benz E550 AWD for nearly 60k to take it off road ???I think I make a valid point here. Im not saying it wont ever be done. There will be a few who will do it and not care but its not common to me. I just don't see them as a car for off road use like the subaru wrx sti ,mitsu evo, Jeeps, Broncos, Blazers, Toyota 4x4s, Hummers. Yes I understand that some of the vehicles I list are expensive. Also the same goes for the Mitsu eclipse GSX and the Talon TSX or its a TSI cant remember. I have prob only met one maybe two people in " REAL LIFE " that took it off road and it just became a POS after being used offroad. Most of the people that I've " KNOWN " in real life used it for the track.

 

^He's not taking it off road though. The point of his question isn't which car he can take off jumps and go rallying with, it's just what car is capable of performing on street AND in the occasional dirt road.

 

Just buy an older STI and keep the z06. If you plan on driving something nice on a dirt/gravel road, you are going to mess up the paint.

 

LOL I want to see a new SHO getting some air

 

AWD sedans (except STi and Evos for obvious reasons) mostly are beeing bought if you often have to drive through snow.

lots of BMWs (X-drive), Benzes (4matic), Audis (Quattro) and VWs (4motion) etc have AWD in alpine regions + there are some rare special models with limited off road capabilities like the Audi A4 Allroad Quattro

Geneva 2009: New Audi A4 Allroad debuts, reportedly may come to U.S. after all — Autoblog

but as I already said....awd sedans are for the snowy areas.

 

So the OP never came back? What good is all this advice?