Vehicle Overview The Escort used to be one of Fords best-selling models, but it plays a smaller role now that the Focus has taken over as the high-volume small car. The Escort survives as a four-door sedan available as a fleet vehicle for daily car-rental companies and other high-volume customers. The sporty ZX2 coupe is still available to consumers.
Ford hasnt said when Escort production will end, but there may not be a 2002 version of the sedan, and the ZX2 might stay in production longer.
Exterior The front-drive Escort sedan and ZX2 coupe share a 98.4-inch wheelbase, but the coupe is about an inch longer at 175 inches overall. The coupes unique, sportier styling is aimed at a younger audience.
Interior The front bucket seats provide enough room for most adults to fit comfortably, but the rear seat has limited headroom and knee room in both body styles. The rear seatback folds to expand the trunk in both the sedan, 12.8 cubic feet, and the coupe, 11.8 cubic feet.
The modern dashboard has easy-to-read gauges and controls conveniently grouped in the center in what Ford calls an integrated control panel. A cassette player is standard, and a premium sound system with a six-CD changer is optional.
Under the Hood The Escort sedan comes with a 114-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and the ZX2 uses a dual-camshaft version that generates 130 hp. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a four-speed automatic is optional.Antilock brakes also are optional.
