1997 Ford Escort Review

Ford's 1997 Escort finally is all grown up.

The Escort from 1980 to 1990 was a noisy, cramped subcompact, but it sold well because it was cheap and economical. The 1991-96 model--developed with Ford partner Mazda--was greatly improved

Some 5 million Escorts have been sold in the United States since 1980. Ford says it never made any money with them, but they have kept the automaker's federally mandated average fuel economy number up so it can sell profitable larger cars without penalties.

The thoroughly revamped new Escort is the best yet. The car is too ``soft'' to be much fun, but combines the feel of a larger auto with the maneuverability and economy of a small one.

That should make the Escort appeal to many of today's value-minded car buyers, who couldn't care less if it is not a kick to drive.

The Escort goes on sale Thursday as an $11,430 four-door sedan, an upscale $11,930 LX sedan--which I recently tested--and as a $12,480 LX station wagon. A sporty coupe hits the market early next year.

The new front-wheel-drive Escort retains the 98.4-inch wheelbase of the 1996 model but is nearly four inches longer and has sleeker styling, with a fluid, curvaceous shape. It looks much like the compact Ford Contour, which might be a handicap to the Contour because the Escort costs less and offers more interior space--especially in the rear-seat area.

Two 6-footers comfortably fit in the back of the Escort, even when two tall front-seat passengers shove their seats back for comfort. The trunk is large for a small car, and rear seatbacks fold forward to increase cargo area.

The Escort has a version of the Ford Taurus' cleverly designed Integrated Control Panel and easily read instrumentation. Front seats offer good support in turns during sprited driving, but it's doubtful that many will want to drive this car in a sporty manner.

Never mind that Ford says the suspension of the new Escort ``has been revised to give the car a firmer, more European ride.'' The ride is far too soft to fall within European standards. Moreover, the power steering is extremely light and the brake pedal has a mushy feel. Add it all up and you've got a car that is comfortable during average driving, but doesn't like to be pushed hard.

This model isn't for sophisticated motorists, unless they're just looking to use it as a reasonably priced second or third car.</P>

The 1997 Escort's economical four-cylinder overhead-camshaft engine has been slightly enlarged to two liters. It's still rather loud when revved hard and has only two valves per cylinder--instead of the more sophisticated four-valve design of some rivals. Horsepower has been increased to 110 from last year's 88 rating, and torque is up 15 percent.

Performance in town is lively, but the Escort generally isn't very quick. A 0 to 60 m.p.h. run with the smooth four-speed automatic transmission takes a lazy 10.9 seconds. Moreover, the 65-75 m.p.h. passing time is just average.

Too bad the 1996 Escort's Mazda-made twin-camshaft, 127-horsepower four-cylinder has been dropped. However, a new twin-camshaft four-cylinder with 16 valves likely will be put in the upcoming sporty Escort coupe.

Curiously, the automatic transmission downshifts into passing gear at 55 m.p.h. and upshifts at 60 m.p.h.--as if Ford is unaware that most passing on highways now generally is done in the 65-75 m.p.h. range

Still, the Escort will cruise comfortably all day at 70 m.p.h.--and feel like a larger car doing that. It is considerably more solid than the 1996 model, and is quieter at all speeds--except for considerable road slap noise from the 65-series Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires.

The Escort is fairly well equipped. Dual air bags are standard, while anti-lock brakes are a $570 option.

While it won't set any souls on fire, the 1997 Escort provides pleasant basic transportation--and vividly shows how far small cars have come since 1980.