'98 Ford Escort ZX2 SportTorrential rain has recently turned the normally picturesque Southern California coast into a sliding mud pie and created enough traffic chaos to challenge the patience of petrified wood. Our sporty front-drive ZX2 faced off against nasty weather, struggling against all odds to deliver its drivers home. One night, a full six alternate routes were employed to traverse canyon-filled Ventura County, with more roads closed than open. Sloshing through hub-deep, lake-size puddles, the Escort remained water tight, even around the door seams. Although road debris bent the front license plate under the bumper, otherwise the little Ford soldiered through unscathed. Amazing! With solid body structure, driver-oriented suspension tuning and good steering feel, the ZX2 responds well to aggressive input. Around town, mileage hovers near 22 mpg, but we've recorded a high of 27.8 mpg on a straight highway shoot through the desert. The car's first service totaled $49.43. Next visit, we'll have the dealer check the recently inoperative heating system.
| Base price | $13,145 |
| Price as tested | $17,255 |
| Body style | 2-door, 5-pass. |
| Engine size/type | 2.0-liter inline four |
Transmission/driveline
configuration | 5-speed man./
front engine, front drive |
| 0-60 mph, sec. | 7.8 |
| EPA mpg, city/hwy. | 26/33 |
| Total mileage | 5661 |
| Test mileage | 5648 |
| Fuel consumed, gal. | 231.6 |
| Fuel cost | $284.50 |
| Average mpg | 24.4 |
| Additional oil/cost | None |
| Routine maint. | $49.43 |
| Additional maint. | None |
| Previous maint. | None |
| Problem areas | Heater |
| Total operating cost | $333.93 |
| Operating cost/mile | 5.9 |