1996 Ford Escort Review
1996 Ford Escort Review
View more photos
Used Escort for sale
Appraise This CarFord Escort model years
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Last year for the second-generation Escort. The 1.9-liter engine gets 100,000-mile tune-up interval. Automatic transmissions have lower final drive ratio when coupled with 1.9-liter engine to improve acceleration. Sport/Appearance Group available on four-door models. Ultra Violet decor no longer offered on GT. Integrated child safety seat, added during 1995 model year, continues for 1996 on sedan and wagon.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Ford Escort GT 2dr Hatchback and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$177/mo for Escort GT
Escort GT
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Last year for the second-generation Escort. The 1.9-liter engine gets 100,000-mile tune-up intervals. Automatic transmissions have lower final drive ratio when coupled with the 1.9-liter engine to improve acceleration. Sport/Appearance Group available on four-door models. Ultra Violet decor no longer offered on GT. Integrated child safety seat, added during 1995 model year, continues for 1996 on sedan and wagon.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Ford Escort.
5 star(46%)
4 star(39%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
39 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
96 Escort is a great car
d357r0y3r, 12/01/2003
1996 Ford Escort LX 4dr Hatchback
i've got a escort, and have had it for
a while, and it is a great car. sure,
it's not exactly a speed demon and it
doesn't look that cool, but for someone
that wants a practical, economical, and
overall good car, this is a good
choice. in all the time i've had it
it's been very reliable, and other than
routine tune-ups and some minor timing
belt issues, it hasn't caused … any
problems. if you're looking for sheer
power or speed, then the escort isn't
for you, but if you're just looking for
a good car that's good on milage and is
reliable, this is a great option.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Great little wagon.
Ron Gaylord, 07/17/2002
1996 Ford Escort LX 4dr Wagon
I brought this 1996 Escort wagon new in
1996. I currently have 114,000 miles on
it and have had zero problems. It get's
great mileage and I can carry just
about anything with it. I also pull a
trailer with a motorcycle on it and the
Escort does fine as long as you don't
have to use the air. I don't know how
good the new Ford Focus is but I think
Ford made a mistake when … the got rid of
the Escort wagon. My wagon has a
standart shift and will keep up with
any situation I've found myself in.
4.38 out of 5 stars
I LOVE my little car
ajoneen, 10/01/2003
1996 Ford Escort LX 4dr Hatchback
This was my first NEW car and I took
alot of ribbing for getting an Escort,
but I am Sooo glad I did. Had one front
end accident, everyone was OK and
repairs were completed easily. I can
fit just as much stuff in the rear as
my husband can in his SUV!! Its a
breeze in the snow and easy to get out
of tight places.
4.13 out of 5 stars
What A Nice Surprise! The Escort!
Lauren in Vegas, 06/12/2002
1996 Ford Escort LX 4dr Hatchback
After ending up with the last car I
thought I'd ever want (a '96 Ford
Escort), I have been more than
surprised at the reliability of this
car! When I first bought it (with 73K
miles), I took two long road trips
half way across the country and back
without incident! The gas mileage was
great and the ride wasn't bad!
1996 Escort Highlights
Wagon
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $146/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 26.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Related Used 1996 Ford Escort info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Honda CR-V 2021 For Sale
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2012
- Used Chevrolet Impala 2020
- Used Toyota Corolla 2021
- Used Audi RS 6 2022
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Santa Cruz Truck
- Cadillac XT4
- Maybach Car
- Acadias
- 2023 Hyundai Palisade
- GMC Canyon
- 2025 Toyota Sequoia News
- 2024 Toyota Tundra
- Mazda CX 30
- 2023 Toyota Sequoia
Research other models of Ford
- Ford Escape 2023
- 2024 Escape
- Expedition SUV
- 2023 F-150
- Ford Bronco Sports
- Ford F 350 For Sale
- Ford F-150 2024
- Mustang Mach 3
- 2024 Mustang
- Ford 250
Other models
- Used Ford Mustang-Mach-E in Bethel Park, PA
- Used Lamborghini Urus in Gresham, OR
- Used Bentley Continental-Gt in Tarpon Springs, FL
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse in Bristol, VA
- Used Mitsubishi Mirage-G4 in Lake Elsinore, CA
- New BMW X2 for Sale in Middleboro, MA
- Used Subaru Legacy in Woodbury, NJ
- New BMW X4 for Sale in Twinsburg, OH
- Used Ferrari California-T in Peoria, IL
- New BMW Z4 for Sale in Decatur, AL