Listen to the commercials, and they'll tell you the 1997 Ford Escort is an all-new car. Listen to the auto writers, and at least a few will say this latest version of the popular compact--a perennial on the list of America's top 10 best-selling cars--is merely a re-skin of last year's model. Like much of the Escort's character, the truth rests squarely in the middle. Indeed, the Escort and its Mercury Tracer twin aren't so much new cars as they are carefully balanced refinements. While the sheetmetal is all new, both cars still share the same basic floorpan, chassis and drivetrain with the previous model. Yet the sub-structure is 25 percent stiffer, the suspension more controlled and the engine far more powerful. Both cars also share much of their design with Mazda's last-generation Protege, and are still built with Mazda as a joint venture. But here, too, Ford balanced improvement with economy by improving the existing platform instead of spending heavily for the extra tooling that would have been required to adapt to Mazda's newer one. That allowed Ford to deliver cars that are better in nearly every respect at about the same price. Are the new Escort and Tracer also better than their competitors? In an arena populated with a number of competent offerings, the answer hinges on whether you prefer cars with a few outstanding characteristics or a balanced blend of good ones.
2002 Ford Escort
Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.
You can interpret our ratings in the following way:
: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.
: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.
: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.
: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.
: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.
Overview
Specs & Features
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque | 2.0L I-4 / 130 HP / 135 ft.lbs. |
Drive Type | Front-wheel |
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined | 26 / 33 / 29 Mpg |
Brakes | Front Disc/rear Drum |
Front Suspension | Strut |
Rear Suspension | Independent Multi-link |
Spare Tire And Wheel | Compact Steel |
Fuel Tank | 12.8 Gal. |
Recommended Fuel Type | Regular Unleaded |
Average Cost To Fill Tank | $49 |
Maximum Cargo Volume | 11.8 Cu.ft. |
Passenger Volume | 81 Cu.ft. |
Exterior Length | 175.2 " |
Exterior Width | 67.4 " |
Exterior Height | 52.3 " |
Front Headroom | 38.0 " |
Rear Headroom | 35.1 " |
Front Legroom | 42.5 " |
Rear Legroom | 33.4 " |
Front Shoulder Room | 50.8 " |
Rear Shoulder Room | 48.7 " |
Front Hip Room | |
Rear Hip Room | |
Curb Weight | 2,464 Lbs. / 2,504 Lbs. |
Wheel Base | 98 " |
Turning Radius | 16.4 ' |
Door Count | 2 Doors |
Wheels | 15.0 " Silver Aluminum |
Paint | Clearcoat Monotone |
Exterior Mirrors | Dual Power Remote |
Bumpers | Body-colored |
Grille Moldings | |
Rear Spoiler | Wing |
Exhaust | Stainless Steel |
Passenger Capacity | 4 |
Seat Trim | Cloth |
Front Seat Type | Sport Bucket |
Heated Front Seats | |
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls | 4-way |
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls | 4-way |
Front Armrests | 4-way |
Rear Armrests | |
Rear Seats | 60-40 Bench |
Radio | Am/fm Stereo, Seek-scan |
Speakers | 4 Performance |
Radio Steering Wheel Controls | |
Apple Car Play | |
Android Auto | |
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity |
Steering Wheel Type | |
Climate Control | |
Cruise Control | |
Sun Roof | |
Rearview Mirror | Day-night |
One Touch Open Window | |
Tinted Windows | Light |
Vanity Mirrors | |
Remote Keyless Entry | |
Power Outlets | 2 |
Overall Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
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Overall Front Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
|
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
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Rollover Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
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Front Impact Airbags | Driver And Passenger |
Driver Side Impact Airbags | |
Knee Airbag | |
Passenger Side Impact Airbag | |
Rear Side Airbag | |
Seatbelt Pretensioners | |
Anti-Lock Brakes | 4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs) |
Forward Collision Warning | |
Blind Spot Sensor | |
Lane Departure Warning | |
Autonomous Cruise Control | |
Pedestrian Detection | |
Driver Attention Alert | |
Daytime Running Lights | |
Auto High Beams | |
Adaptive Headlights | |
Parking Sensors | |
Security Systems | |
Panic Alarm | |
Ignition Disable |
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles | 36 Months / 36,000 Miles |
Major Components Months | 36 Months / 36,000 Miles |
Included Maintenance Months | |
Roadside Assistance Months | 36 Months / 36,000 Miles |
Corrosion Perforation | 60 Months / Unlimited Miles |
Accessories Months |
Used 2002 Ford Escort for Sale
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