Overview & Reviews

With small Japanese cars dominating the economy car segment by the late '70s, Ford decided to bring something to the table that was more competitive than the antiquated, outgoing Pinto. The result was the subcompact Ford Escort. The vehicle debuted in 1981 as a two-door hatchback or four-door wagon and featured front-wheel drive, an overhead cam four-cylinder engine, a fully independent suspension and rack and pinion steering. On paper, it looked like Ford had a winner. But in reality there were early problems that made a rash of recalls necessary, and the vehicle's longevity was questionable.

But despite the teething problems, the Ford Escort went on to become the top-selling car in America for many consecutive years. Broader appeal for Ford's small import fighter appeared in the mid-'80s via the introduction of a four-door hatchback and the sporty GT.

By the late '80s, the Ford Escort had become a solid little economy car, with build quality and reliability approaching respectable, if not Japanese manufacturer's, levels. By 1991, Ford's partnership with Mazda started to bear fruit in the form of the Escort GT, which was powered by a spirited dual-overhead-cam, four-cylinder engine borrowed from Mazda. A formal sedan debuted around this time, as did a four-speed automatic (which replaced the old three-speed unit). By the time the year 2000 came around, the Escort was being phased out by Ford's new Focus. With a decidedly edgy, European-flavored personality, the Focus offered much more in terms of personality and driving fun.

Most shoppers interested in a used Ford Escort will find themselves looking at the fourth and last generation. This one debuted in 1997 with a more rounded body style and a more refined 110-horsepower 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. Transmission choices were once again a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. The next year brought the sporty ZX2 two-door coupe, which was essentially the Escort GT's overdue replacement. With 130 hp, the ZX2 was relatively quick, running zero to 60 mph in around 8 seconds.

When Ford phased in the Escort's replacement, the Focus, for 2000, the Escort family was thinned out by dropping the wagon, leaving just the sedan and ZX2 sport coupe. By 2002, only the ZX2 remained, and would soldier on for one more year.

Consumer commentary posted on Edmunds.com about the Ford Escort is generally upbeat, with strong points being listed as ride comfort, fuel economy and outward visibility. Proper maintenance is key, as most owners report trouble-free driving well into the 100,000-mile range, while some others have indicated troubles with the automatic transmission. Though a well-maintained Escort with lower mileage will sell for quite a bit less than an equivalent Civic or Corolla, the latter pair still has the edge in predicted reliability.

Although it debuted 10 years earlier, the Ford Escort really came into its own with the introduction of the revamped 1991 model. A lower beltline and increased glass area afforded a more airy cabin and the 1.9-liter inline four was refined for smoother operation. Higher overall build quality was evident in the car's quieter, more refined demeanor and more substantial feel throughout. The all-new Escort GT was one of the better affordable sport hatchbacks of its day thanks to its free-revving, Mazda-sourced, DOHC 127-hp engine, four-wheel disc brakes and firm sport suspension. With the exception of the adoption of safety items such as dual airbags and (on some trim levels) antilock brakes, the Escort stood pat until its 1997 redesign.

User Reviews:

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  Great commuter - 1998 Ford Escort
  By Lily - July 12 - 11:06 pm

  Ive had this car since it came out 7 years ago and its a fantastic car. Other than routine maintenance, Ive never had a problem and it has been the most reliable car in my driveway. Its compact size but interior comfort make it a great commuter car, which is fantastic in an area with some of the worst traffic in the nation. Overall, great car and I plan to keep driving it for years to come!

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  Escort great! - 1999 Ford Escort
  By fweenut - June 29 - 5:26 pm

  This has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. The mileage has always been great and I have not had any major repairs that werent covered by the warranty. Economical - Yes! Efficient - Yes! Would I buy it again? Yes!

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  Great, fun, trouble-free car - 2002 Ford Escort
  By Avi - June 29 - 4:24 pm

  Im very pleased with the Focus, and would definitely recommend it. The design, handling, comfort, and "fun-to-drive" factor are all first-rate. So far (I only have 25,000 miles on it) the car has held up great, and Ive had no problems with it. My only complaint is that my car gets substantially lower than the advertised gas mileage ... I get about 20 city/30 highway, compared to 27 city/30 highway advertised.

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  Great car! - 1997 Ford Escort
  By Brian - June 24 - 6:23 am

  For the last year or so this car sat still going no where. It took nothing at all to get it going again. We slapped some new tires on and changed the spark plugs and she was ready! Thats says a lot about the dependability of this car. I havent had any problems with it at all aside from the norm for its age.

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  Great 1st or 2nd car - 1995 Ford Escort
  By Great 1st or 2nd car - June 13 - 2:34 pm

  This is a great economy car that will give you very little problems. In the 2 years that I have owned the car I have driven it from 100,000 to 155,000 miles with no problems at all besides routine maintenance like oil change, new tires and battery. The car will last a long time. For the price and the fact that this is an economy car it is perfect.

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  Overall Good Car - 1996 Ford Escort
  By goodcar125 - June 12 - 11:26 pm

  I bought my 96 escort in 10/04 with 50,300 miles on it from an older man that couldnt drive it anymore. Reliability has been ok i guess. Needed 4 new springs and various emissions sensors when I bought it, but now it needs a new sway bar, a new blower motor and a/c repair. The 1.9L is peppy if you arent trying to pass on the expressway then its dangerous but I have the auto which may explain that. I love how well it takes corners and how easy it is to zip in and out of tight places. Its also a beast in the snow minus the lack of ABS which you have to be careful about. Also, fuel economy rocks! I put 15 bucks in it and it lasts 2 weeks its so amazing with gas being as much as it is.

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  Cant Go Wrong With This Car - 1997 Ford Escort
  By Michael - June 10 - 5:36 am

  This car has been a perfect car for me, it has about 165,000 miles on it today. All I have ever had to do with this car is brakes, tires, oil, belts and an air filter. This car does have an automatic transmission and it has the original. I have had it flushed a couple of times with the filter replaced but never anything more. If you treat these cars well, they will last a very long time without problems. I have owned several cars over the years, and most of which I have had to put a new transmission and/or service the air conditioner by 150,000 thousand miles. But this car has been the exception. I am very happy with this vehicle for a 2nd car!! Buy yours today!

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  Good Car - 2000 Ford Escort
  By Bodacious - June 8 - 1:01 pm

  This car was the first car I ever purchased. It is great for anyone who just needs to go from point A to point B. This car is great for single or family use. Its great on gas mileage and needs little maintenance. I bought it used with only 10,000 miles and have only replaced the tires, battery, and brake pads after hitting 50,000. This car shakes a lot while idle, though it isnt anything serious. It is so easy to drive as well. You can literally make turns with one hand since the car is so easy to maneuver.

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  My 2001 ATX - 2001 Ford Escort
  By LunchBox - June 8 - 2:30 am

  This car was purchased new on 12/30/00 and was my first "new" car. It is great on gas, performs like a champ. When they came out they would put a hurting on most of the Hondas and such that you could buy at the time. They handle very well, are fun to drive, but they do have known problems. I have had 4 transmissions in 65k miles, the 4EAT-F automatics are known for overheating and failing. The starter has gone bad once, the VCT died. Its been a rough road with the car but all in all for the price it was hard to beat, and I knew I didnt want anything GM.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Had - 1995 Ford Escort
  By Kenneth Havens - June 3 - 1:15 am

  Bought this car new. At 105,000 miles I had to replace the front brake pads. At 80,000 I replaced the timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt, and idler pulley. Other than regular maintenance, Ive spent almost nothing on this car in almost 11 years. The last long trip taken in this car was with 4 adults, and luggage, and a dog. It got an average of 35 mpg@ 70 mph all day long.