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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  Had enough - 1997 Ford Escort
  By hopping mad - September 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in brand new in June of 1997. I have had nothing but problems with it. At 18000 miles the drive shaft belt went and crank shaft. Luckily it was still under warrenty. At about 20,000 miles the check coolant lite went on and stay on. So far I have had a new radiator installed, new rear rotators put on and new cv joints which still are not working right. Plus new brakes. As far as I am concern I am ready to trade this car in.

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  Fun to drive - 2000 Ford Escort
  By 4-wheeler - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Ford Escort/ZX2 is fun to drive. Thats the general idea my review is based on. Performance is pretty good for 2.0L with 130 "horsies" inside. Mine is equiped with 5-speed manual transmission which allows me to keep the engine at high RPM whenever I want. The most valuable feature for me is that ZX2 is perfectly designed for heel- and-toe downshifting. Gas and brake pedals are positioned so close to each other that it is possible to use only an outside edge of a foot to blip the throttle while braking hard. Power steerig also greatly improves passing the turn at high speed.

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  Quality Wagon-but remember, its a Wagon - 1993 Ford Escort
  By CrossCountryBabs - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought it with 58K. Had no problems but struts, brakes and the rear springs. Nothing major. I was only 20 and owned a wagon. My friends thought I was smokin funny stuff, but hey, it was like driving a truck that got 34 miles to the gallon and never broke down. Not bad if you ask me.

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  Pleased as usual - 1997 Ford Escort
  By Escort Fan - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Our poor Escort has been through a lot of abuse, unfortunately, so it is reaching a need for premature repairs-- not its fault! We have to put it though apartments without garages, storms, bad roads, rail tracks, highway speeds before warmup, city driving and long trips. It has handled it very well and at nearly 70+K, it is only now having mechanical issues.

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  It keeps running and running and running - 1997 Ford Escort
  By Thatch - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I am amazed at the engine. I have 112000 miles and change oil every 3000 miles. It has never needed a quart and is still relatively clean when I change it. Good gas mileage 30 to 33 on the road.

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  Unbelievably Reliable - 1992 Ford Escort
  By TLIY - September 13 - 2:00 am

  While not the best looking car on the road, I cannot believe how long this car has lasted me. I have 210,000 miles on this thing and its still going. It still has the original muffler for cripes sake. Ive been wanting to buy a new car for a couple years now but cant justify it because this thing simply wont die.

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  Dont keep long - 1990 Ford Escort
  By novice - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Its my first car, too. Bought it cheap. Then it sucked huge amount of money in repair, almost triple my purchase price. Bad engine, burn oil. Rattling auto transmission. Narrow interior space. Loose door knobs. Troublesome ignition system (its history showed that it was recalled by manufacturer for this problem, but I didnt know it when I bought it). Slow acceleration.

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  Gonna Miss My Baby! - 1993 Ford Escort
  By Djh - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Finally going to sell my first and only car that I ever purchased new. Had this one since buying it as a dealer demo in Late 1993 with only a few thousand miles on it. Just turned over the odometer a couple weeks ago and decided that its time for something bigger and quieter on the highway. Only thing ever replaced was a rear brake rotor, the clutch sensor, three sets of tires, and the recommended other maintenance including the timing belt exactly on schedule. Now that Ive written this, maybe I wont sell it after all!!! Boy did I rip up some back highways with this one!

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  best car Ive ever owned - 1993 Ford Escort
  By annieo - September 6 - 2:00 am

  bought this car new - have driven it everywhere - across deserts, over mtns, off-road, in cities. It still gets me through a 60 mi commute over two mtn. ranges, and Im getting 35 - 38 mpg. Ive replaced some stuff - clutch, radiator, timing belt (twice), etc. - but for almost 200000 mi, thats nothing but maintenance. Fun to drive and very trustworthy!

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  Great car - 1997 Ford Escort
  By 1997escortlover - September 4 - 2:00 am

  We have owned ford escorts for over 20 years 1981-2001 this car was dependable. it was able to take a beating. We will miss it. we traded this one in 2001. We had over 100k miles and the clutch was on the way out,so was the starter,computer,timing belt, and cv joint