Ford Escort Review

Ford Escort Mk5 (1990-1992)

1990 Ford Escort Mk5

The fifth generation Escort platform (and Mk 2 Orion saloon) arrived in September 1990 with an all-new bodyshell and a simplified torsion beam rear suspension (instead of the Mk III’s fully independent layout). Initially the 1.3 L, 1.4 L and 1.6 L CVH petrol and 1.8 L diesel units were carried over from the old model, and were starting to show their age in terms of refinement especially compared to Rover’s state of the art K-Series engine launched in 1989.

Despite being the most eagerly awaited model for year the Escort and Orion ranges were subjected to a surprising amount of criticism from the media and motoring public alike. Its down-market interior design, bland looks and disappointing handling were the main reasons for this bad press. Some owners were also disappointed by the levels of quality. Despite this, the Escort remained hugely popular with buyers, coming second in the British car sales charts in 1990 and 1991 before topping the charts in 1992. The Orion was less popular, failing to feature in the Top 10 best selling cars in Britain after 1990.

Matters improved in 1991 when the all new Zetec 16-valve engines were launched bringing improved drivability, while also marking the return of the XR3i which was available with 2 versions of the 1.8 litre Zetec engine. The 150 hp (112 kW) RS2000 also appeared in 1991 with a 16v version of the Sierra’s I4 2.0 litre engine and also improved ride and handling meaning a Mk.5 Escort finally delivered on the road. Specification, however, were also higher than before. The Escort was now available with items such as power steering, electric windows, central locking, electronic antilock brakes and even air conditioning.

1992 saw the launch of the Escort RS Cosworth, and a 5th generation Escort that was genuinely considered excellent. Intended to replace the Sapphire RS Cosworth as Ford’s stalwart rally challenger, it used a turbocharged version of the 2.0 L Cosworth 16-valve engine, generated some 227 hp (167 kW) and was capable of 225 km/h (140 mph), as well as having four-wheel drive. Its most memorable feature was its outrageous "whale-tail" tailgate spoiler. The Cosworth ceased production in 1996 but the 2,500 road-going examples sold (required for homologation purposes) have already achieved classic status. However, the car wasn’t really an Escort at all, being based from a Sierra floor pan and mechanicals, including its longitudinally mounted engine, and was merely clothed in body panels to look (supposedly) like a standard Mk 5.

• 1.4 CFi (1393 cc) CVH 52 kW

• 1.4 EFi (1393 cc) CVH 55 kW

• 1.4 G (1393 cc) CVH 54 kW

• 1.6 EFi (1597 cc) CVH 79 kW

• 1.6 G/H (1597 cc) CVH 66 kW

• 1.6 EFi (1598 cc) Zetec 66 kW

• 1.8 EFi (1796 cc) Zetec 77/85/96 kW

• 1.8 D (1753 cc) Endura D 44 kW

• 1.8 TD (1753 cc) Endura D 66 kW

• 2.0 EFi (1998 cc) Zetec 110 kW

• 2.0 (1993 cc) Cosworth YBT 167 kW

Ford Escort Mk5 Facelift / Mk5b (MK6)(1993-1995)

Ford Escort Mk5b

Stung by the criticism of the original Mk.5, Ford facelifted the Escort and Orion in October 1992, giving the revised cars a new grille, bonnet and, in the Escort hatch’s case, a new rear end. A new 1.6L 16-valve 90 bhp Zetec engine was introduced, replacing the previous CVH. Fuel injection was now standard on all petrol models and Ford introduced a 4x4 variant of the RS2000, offering much improved handling over its front wheel drive cousins. A first for the Escort also saw the introduction of all 4 wheel disc brakes as standard on all RS2000 models.

In 1993, the Orion name was quietly dropped, the saloon taking on the Escort badge. The crash structure was also improved, featuring side impact bars, improved crumple zones and later on, airbags. These revisions made the Escort and Orion much better cars and they were competitive against rivals, if still not the best in class.

The Facelifted Mk5 Escort is sometimes referred to in error as the Mk6, with the Mk6 in turn wrongly being called the Mk7 - which never existed. UK based enthusiasts generally agree that the model be referred to as the Mk5b.

Ford Escort Mk6 (MK7)(1995-2000)

Ford Escort Mk6 Ghia

The Escort was thoroughly revised in January 1995 after the launch of the highly acclaimed Mondeo in 1993. Although the same basic design continued, this version had new front lights, bonnet, front wings, front and rear bumpers, wing mirrors and door handles. The interior of both cars was hugely revised too, featuring an all new dashboard arrangement with the quality being of competitive quality.

Dynamically, the handling and ride were also much improved with revised suspension set up from that on the previous Mk5/5b models. However, the car was now five years old and most of its rivals were either new or to be imminently replaced. The RS2000 models ceased production in June 1996. These were the last Escorts ever to wear the famous RS badge. A new Ghia X model was introduced around 1996. This included Air Conditioning and a 6 CD multichanger as standard. Although the equipment of the Ghia below it was reduced, it was now more affordable.

The last ’standard’ model to be introduced in 1997 was the GTI - the only GTi badge Ford to ever be sold in Europe. This used the same existing 115ps 1.8 Zetec-e engine found in other cars in the range, but included a bodykit borrowed from the now cancelled RS2000 model, part-leather seats plus the standard fitment of ABS.

In 1998, Ford announced an all-new car, the Focus, which was launched as a replacement for the 32 year old Escort, although the Escort would continue to be produced, as a move to give Fords loyal Escort buyers time to get used to the Focus (at that time) cutting edge design.

With the arrival of the Focus, the Escort range was overhauled offering ’Flight’ and ’Finesse’ run out editions. The 1.3 L, 1.4 L and 1.8 L petrol engines, and the three-door hatchback and four-door saloon bodystyles, were dropped (except in mainland Europe, New Zealand, South Africa and South America) and the only versions remaining were the 1.6 L petrol and 1.8 L diesel. Prices were made more competitive and this managed to keep European Escort sales going until the last one rolled off the Halewood assembly line at the end of 2000.

The van variant kept going until 2002 when the new Transit Connect model was introduced.

• 1.3 CFi (1299 cc) HCS 44 kW

• 1.3 CFi/H (1299 cc) HCS 44 kW

• 1.3 EFi (1299 cc) HCS 37/44 kW

• 1.4 CFi (1393 cc) CVH 52 kW

• 1.4 EFi (1393 cc) CVH 55 kW

• 1.6 EFi (1598 cc) Zetec 66 kW

• 1.6 G (1598 cc) CVH 66 kW

• 1.8 D (1753 cc) Endura D 44 kW

• 1.8 DT (1753 cc) Endura D 55/66 kW

• 1.8 EFi (1796 cc) Zetec 85/96 kW

• 2.0 EFi (1998 cc) Zetec 110 kW

Ford Escort Mk6 RS2000

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