chicagotribune.com's view

When the talk turns to Ford, the car that comes to mind is Taurus, thesales dynamo that has helped the automaker take market share away from GeneralMotors Corp.

But in checking sales statistics, the top-selling model at Ford Motor Co. is the subcompact Escort. In the first six months of this calendar year,Escort was the top-selling car in the nation; Taurus was third.

Escort sales totaled 191,592 in the six months, with Taurus at 174,980.That`s a bit surprising, considering that the Escort was introduced in the1982 model year, Taurus in 1986.

We test drove the 1987 two-door hatchback, the best-selling Escort.

Escort is a functional car that gets you from that proverbial point A toB while burning little fuel. Room is fairly good for two adults up front andtwo or three small kids in the back. Cargo carrying capacity is above average.The rear seat folds down if you need to increase the cargo hold.

The car we drove was equipped with automatic shoulder belts. Sit in thedriver`s or passenger seat, turn the key in the ignition and the belt movesalong a rail in the upper door to secure itself around your upper torso.

Automatic belts, which save time and labor in fastening them yourself,are designed to force occupants to belt up who normally wouldn`t.

The only problem with an automatic belt is that you had better not have a cigarette or ice cream cone in the way. The belt makes a quick trip along thatrail. When you turn off the key and open the door, the belt backs down therail to free the occupant.

A good system, but we would feel better if the belt moved a little slower in its crusade to fasten around you when you start the car to give you sometime to clear its path.

Escort is powered by a 1.9-liter, fuel-injected, 4-cylinder engine.Though a 5-speed is standard, the car we drove was equipped with optional($490) automatic. The 1.9 is adequate, but with automatic it doesn`t havethe same pep as an Escort GT with 5-speed.

We drove the car to northern Wisconsin. Shortly out of Milwaukee on Int.Hwy. 94 the speed limit is 65 miles an hour. The Escort cruised at that speed comfortably and wasn`t tossed all over the road when semis going considerably faster than 65 passed, which was often. The Escort hung onto its lane well butin everyday driving didn`t have the same firm ride and handling as its sporty Escort GT counterpart.

If you want crisp ride and handling, above average performance, andsporty looks, go the Escort GT route. If you want function and high mileage ata relatively low price, go for the basic Escort.

The Escort starts at $6,949.

Mack Ratchford, Ford`s Chicago district sales manager, said the two-doorhatchback accounts for 65 percent of all Escort sales in the Chicago area. AndEscorts aren`t that easy to find as local stocks are down to a 35-day supply, versus a 77-day supply of Taurus.