Name: Ford Escort Review
Item: Ford Escort
Author: Gumtree.com

A top-selling car in the UK during the ’80s and ’90s, the Ford Escort is a family-friendly hatchback that was in production for over 30 years. More than four million were sold during its lifetime before it was replaced by the Ford Focus in the early 2000s. Many of its early versions are considered classics, and there’s something for everyone across the range – from everyday runabouts right through to petrolhead favourites like the souped-up RS Cosworth. At the time they were known for being cheap to run, but these days you’ll want to check it’s been cared for as Escorts can be prone to rust. Read on to see if this is the next car for you.

Visit the Ford Escort model page to explore available cars and learn more.

What we think about the Ford Escort

Practical and very popular in their heyday, later Escorts are affordable runarounds that won’t look too out of place on today’s streets.

Pros

Easy to drive

Cheap to run

Family-friendly interior space

Cons

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Rivals offer more finesse

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Average fuel economy

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Can be prone to rust

There were six generations of the Escort, with the latest model being sold from 1995. Numerous trims were available over the years including the popular Ghia, LX and a sporty Si. By 1998 the range was reduced to just two trim levels, the Flight and Finesse. Most commonly found as a hatchback, a saloon and estate version were also available.

Driving performance of the Ford Escort

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

We’d recommend going with one of the latest models as it will have the best set-up in terms of responsiveness and grip. The gear ratios are smooth and the light-powered steering will give you a good handle on the road, making it easy to drive. The Escort is a pretty firm ride, so it can be a little jolty over speed bumps. You can get manual and automatic transmissions, and some sportier trims were also offered with four-wheel drive.

Safety and reliability of the Ford Escort

Our Safety Rating5 / 10

The Escort scored two stars out of five in the Euro NCAP safety tests, which is actually pretty typical of a car this age. You’ll get a driver’s airbag as standard but the passenger one was an added extra. In the tests, it performed strongly on passenger protection, almost reaching three stars. There aren’t any Isofix points unless they’ve been retrofitted, so you should bear this in mind if you want to use car seats. In terms of reliability, look out for potential head gasket failures as these can be a concern if oil and coolant changes have been missed over the years. You’ll also want to check servicing records for when timing belts have been changed, as these are recommended every three years for diesels and five years for petrol engines.

Under the bonnet of the Ford Escort

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

Most Escort owners would have bought the 1.6-litre petrol engine, as it offers a great balance of performance and economy. It reaches 60 in 11.4 seconds and feels like a fairly nippy ride on both smaller inner-city roads and higher speed motorways. For a diesel option, the 1.8-litre TDi is slightly swifter, with an acceleration to 60 in 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 107 mph. More beefy power can be found in the RS Cosworth, with its 2.0-litre turbo charged 16 valve petrol engine capable of up to 150 mph.

What you'll find in the Ford Escort

Our Design Rating7 / 10

Instantly recognisable, the Escort neatly packages all you’ll need from a family car into an attractive design that has stood the test of time. Standard versions have body colour bumpers, but it’s the higher trims such as the Si where their flair really stands out. Front and rear spoilers with body kit touches help to give that performance car feel. Revised in later years, it had all new lights, bonnet, wing design and door handles. There were also four different front radiator grilles available. The interior got an uplift, too, using more premium quality finishes.

Comfort and interiors in the Ford Escort

Our Comfort Rating6 / 10

For a 20+ year-old car, the interior is pretty decent, albeit dated compared with the Focus. It’s got a roomy front cabin and nice curves to the dash which help to retain some modern feel. The buttons are pretty solid, too, and later models come with a CD player. Its boot is a very good size, with easy access so there won’t be any issues if you need to take a full load of luggage. The rear is a little tight if you’re regularly taking full-sized passengers, and it doesn’t have the benefit of Isofix points.

What features you'll find in the Ford Escort

Our Features Rating6 / 10

Mod cons such as central locking, front electric windows and power-assisted steering are available in ’90s versions of the Escort, so you won’t feel too put out when taking it for a spin. We’d recommend going with the Finesse trim as you’ll also get air conditioning, although you’ll want to make sure it’s still working after all these years. Alloy wheels and front fog lights are also a nice added touch to the Finesse. Keep in mind that older models and lower trims will certainly feel their age at this point.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Ford Escort

Our Fuel Consumption Rating6 / 10

By today’s standards the Escort’s fuel economy is lower than average, so you might want to consider the Focus instead if you’re looking to save on fuel costs. However, it’s still pretty respectable for its age and you’ll get a solid 35 mpg from the 1.6-litre petrol. The diesel performs slightly better, achieving up to 43 mpg. You’ll get 28 mpg with the RS Cosworth and its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.

Running costs of the Ford Escort

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

The Escort is known for being an affordable ride as parts and servicing are usually cheap, and it’s pretty straightforward to repair. Pick a standard model and it’s also relatively cost-effective to insure, sitting in groups 15-17. Although not the best on fuel economy it still posts respectable mpg figures, so you shouldn’t find yourself filling up too often. As with most older cars, you’ll need to keep on top of wear and tear. Parts such as the shock absorbers and suspension bushes will need replacing every 50,000 miles, and there are often reports of rust in exposed areas.

Our verdict of the Ford Escort

3.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

If you like the retro feel of a car from the '90s, you can't go wrong with an Escort. Just make sure you pick one that's been taken care of.

Ford Escort Review