1997 Ford Escort Review Summary & Specs
Base Sedan
Balanced refinement at a budget price.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
We also tested the Escort against the Civic, Neon and an uplevel Saturn through a
grueling slalom at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in nearby
Phoenix. While the Saturn and Neon snaked through the cones a little faster, neither felt as tied-together as the Escort. What's more, even base Escorts handle as well as the uppermost model.
Ford will unveil a racier, twin-camshaft Escort/Tracer Coupe next year. Also
rumored is an Escort-based subcompact sport-utility before Ford switches these cars to a European-based design around the year 2000. For now, the Escort combines contemporary good looks, competent handling, slick ergonomics and a smooth ride at a fair price. And that's one terrific balancing act.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Compact Cars |
| Editor |
Bob Markovich |
| Model Lineup |
|
| Engines (standard) |
2.0-liter sohc 4-cyl. |
| Transmissions (standard) |
5-speed manual |
| Engines (optional) |
|
| Transmissions (optional) |
4-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
Dual airbags |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
|
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Wayne, MI; Hermosillo, Mexico |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-392-3673 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.ford.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$12,000 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Escort LX sedan |
| Standard Equipment |
14-in. wheels, fold-down rear seat, child safety rear door locks, variable intermittent wipers, automatic battery shutdown, AM/FM radio |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
ABS, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, CD player, automatic, power windows/ mirrors/door locks, 60/40 fold-down rear seat |
| Destination Charge |
|
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$14,500 |
| Layout |
|
| Horse Power |
110 @ 5000 |
| Torque |
125 @ 3750 |
| Fuel Economy |
|
| Wheelbase |
98.4 |
| Length/Width/Height |
174.7/66.2/53.3 |
| Track Front/Rear |
56.5/56.5 |
| Turning Radius |
31.5 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.0/50.2/42.5 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
36.7/49.3/33.8 |
| Trunk Volume |
12.1 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
1000 |
| Front Suspension |
Independent |
| Rear Suspension |
Independent |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
2518 |
| Stock Tires |
P185/65SR-14 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/drum |
| Fuel Capacity |
12.7 |