1996 Ford Escort Review

Automakers love to sell lively, reliable coupes that are affordable for younger buyers. Such autos develop loyalty to a car producer and draw buyers to larger, more-profitable models as they age and prosper.

The new Ford Escort ZX2 coupe is a picture-perfect example of such a coupe. It arrived last month as an early 1998 model with a slick body, lively acceleration and nifty handling--and an affordable $12,995 base price.

The ZX2, which I recently tested, originally was supposed to be just a coupe version of the solid, $11,015-$11,795 Escort sedan. But Ford decided to make it a lot more exciting, at the urging of Richard Parry-Jones, head of Ford's Small/Medium Vehicle Center, which developed the ZX2.

Compared with the Escort sedan, the ZX2 has a more rakish body, with unique panels, that is a little longer and wider than the Escort sedan. The ZX2 also has a strong ``Zetec'' four-cylinder engine from the 1998 Ford Contour and a modified Escort sedan chassis for superior handling.

Only a few items are shared with the Escort, such as the Ford Taurus-inspired radio-climate control panel, steering wheel and center console.

``Buyers of the ZX2 want a high-quality, fun-to-drive vehicle that also is affordable to own and operate,'' Parry-Jones said.

Ford predicts that about 40 percent of ZX2 owners will be first-time car buyers and that a high percentage will be young women.

``The ZX2 is targeted at young buyers . . . in their 20s and 30s,'' Ford said. ``They're still living at home or just starting out on their own. They are open-minded and have a positive `now' mentality.'' You got it right if you guessed that many of those buyers are Generation X members. In fact, ``ZX2'' stands for ``Zetec engine, Generation-X buyers and two-door body.''

Actually, the ZX2 has so much going for it that it should appeal to a wide range of people who want a lively, spacious coupe.

Main ZX2 rivals include the Dodge/Plymouth Neon Expresso, Honda Civic EX, Nissan 200SX SE-R and Saturn SC1. But the ZX2 will be more alluring than those models to many car buyers, if only because it is the new, attractive kid on the block.

The front-drive ZX2 has a decent amount of standard equipment, including power rack-and-pinion steering, outside mirrors, sports coupe instrumentation and a console with storage bin and cupholders.

But be careful or you could end up with a ZX2 that costs thousands of dollars more than you anticipated, or that has more equipment than you want.

Here's why: The ZX2 comes in ``Hot'' and ``Cool'' versions, as Ford puts it. Two optional equipment packages are available just for the ``Hot'' ZX2. Individual items such as $795 air conditioning can be ordered for the ``Cool'' ZX2. But some items, such as the $595 power sunroof, aren't available for the ``Cool'' version.

One of those two attractive packages for the ``Hot'' ZX2 is the $1,390 328A package, which contains items such as air conditioning, rear defroster, dual power outside mirrors, power windows and door locks--and a remote entry with panic alarm feature, which is expected to be especially popular with women.

Key ``stand-alone'' options for both ``Hot'' and ``Cool'' ZX2s include $570 anti-lock brakes and a $165 AM/FM/cassette.

It's a mystery why floor mats are a $45 option for the ZX2, except it perhaps shows that Ford's cost-cutters were hard at work.

Some young families will feel it is unfortunate that they can't order the $135 rear child safety seat if they get the $595 Sport package, which includes low-profile, 60-series tires on 15-inch wheels (instead of the standard 65-series tires on 14-inch wheels), rear spoiler, ultrasupportive sport seats and fog lamps.

Powering the ZX2 is a smooth, quiet, 130-horsepower version of the Contour Zetec four-cylinder, which has dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The engine makes the light, 2,504-pound ZX2 quick. The car hits 60 m.p.h. in just 7.5 seconds with the standard five-speed manual transmission, which shifts decently. The $815 four-speed automatic transmission shifts well but slows the ZX2 a bit.

The automatic can't be ordered for a ``Cool'' ZX2, although it is anticipated that nearly 70 percent of the car's buyers will want it.

Fuel economy is virtually identical with the manual or automatic: an EPA-estimated 26 m.p.g. in the city and 33 on highways with the manual and 25 and 33 with the automatic.

Many small coupes don't have much of a back-seat area, but the ZX2 handily seats two adults in the rear. Up front, tall drivers will wish that their seat moved back farther to allow them to get a more comfortable distance from the steering wheel. The seatback can be reclined a notch or two to increase the distance from the wheel, but doing that can cause a driver to sit at an uncomfortable angle.

The fairly large trunk can be loaded easily, and rear seatbacks flip forward to increase cargo space.

The nicely designed interior has a wraparound dashboard with easily read gauges and well-placed controls, but the sunroof eats into headroom and the triangular outside mirrors should be larger for better visibility. The modified steering and all-independent suspension allow excellent handling, and the brakes do a fine job. The ride is good, even with the Sport package.

But there's something missing with the Escort ZX2. The car does everything well, but has virtually no sporting feel. Such a feel is an intangible thing, but important.