Ford Escort
The Ford Escort is a true automotive great. It’s the best selling car of all time in the UK, and the reason it became such a big hit is because it delivered exactly what the public wanted- an affordable and stylish approach to motoring that worked every time. Those characteristics still make it a popular choice for people on a budget today, so it’s definitely worth a look if you’re after something affordable but nonetheless excellent.
With a truly epic lifespan, the Escort was in production from 1968 to 2002. Over the years it has been available in a huge range of saloon, hatchback, estate and cabriolet models, but more impressively, Ford’s ability to sense consumer needs and wants made every new generation a must have motor. There have been many standout versions, but some of the most notable are the Mark II RS200, Mark IV XR3i, and the Mark V RS Cosworth. These ‘hot’ Escorts were fast, furious and fun to drive, and helped garner the car’s reputation as a supreme rally challenger.
Trying to describe the design of this car in general is difficult as there are so many versions to consider. The most modern however are the complete opposite of the original with a much curvier appearance and friendlier nature. Indeed the Mark VI was a good looking auto in its time and it’s easy to see why it was a stalwart choice. The interior was well designed, comfortable, spacious, and had a good level of kit across the various trim levels. While estate and saloon models were arguably more practical, the hatchback was by far the best seller.
If there’s one thing the Escort was known for it’s the driving experience; top of the line sporty RS Cosworth models in particular were sublime. The final Mark VI version was composed on the road and quite fun to drive, but a world away from its rally derived bigger brothers. With a relatively calm ride and adequate handling, it was brilliantly suited to families who would potter around and take it easy. The engines offered a good amount of performance and fuel economy, but it has to be said that the monstrous 2.0 litre turbo charged Cosworth could still compete with the hot hatches of today.
With over 4 million units produced in its life time, there’s no shortage of Escorts around these days. But finding a good one is quite easy, especially if you check out the awesome selection of used cars for sale here at Motors.co.uk. Listing over 150,000 high quality autos at seriously reduced prices, the odds of happening across a bargain second hand Ford Escort are stacked firmly in your favour.
The plain truth is that the Ford Escort name is a timeless classic, and its array of generations were some of the most popular cars on British roads for over 30 years. Popular because it continually provided an excellent solution to the family motoring problem, it’s still a very viable option for the same type of motorist today. While the rally-esq Cosworth versions pushed the boundaries of performance and sanity, in general the Escort was a sensible car that worked every time. Budget buyers, new drivers or classic motorists needn’t look at anything else.