The last of a classic breed, the 2003 Ford Escort was the final model in one of the automaker's top-selling economy lines.
The popular subcompact was designed as a low-cost family car. The '03 Escort was offered in two bodystyles: a four-door sedan and the sporty ZX2 coupe. Buyers had a choice among standard, Premium, and Deluxe trim levels.
One engine, a 2.0 liter inline-4 with a 110-horsepower output, was available for the '03 Ford Escort. 5-speed manual transmission came standard, and 4-speed automatic transmission was an option.
Although it wasn't long on power, the 2003 Escort sure was thrifty at the pump. With an EPA estimated mileage per gallon of 25 highway/33 city, the Escort's fuel efficiency was one of its best features.
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.
The car is a good value for 17. years old
Oct 30, 2021
by Amanda L
Jan 02, 2011
exterior is a newer style. interior is nice. not to bad on gas. easy to drive. lately have had problems with steering belts braking and speedometer being 5 miles slower than wat ur acctually going. overall, not that bad of a car.Jan 02, 2011
by Austin D
Mar 22, 2010
This car handles nimbly, probably due to the light weight, but the stock tires don't have very much grip and the suspension is soft (when stock). The car is fun to drive on the whole though, especially when modified even a little. Acceleration isn't neck-snapping, but its better than what you would expect from its 130hp (again, this probably has to do with the light (<2500 lbs) weight and short gearing).Mar 22, 2010
User rating:
by Anonymous
Oct 30, 2021
The car is a good value for 17. years old
Oct 30, 2021
by Amanda L
Jan 02, 2011
exterior is a newer style. interior is nice. not to bad on gas. easy to drive. lately have had problems with steering belts braking and speedometer being 5 miles slower than wat ur acctually going. overall, not that bad of a car.Jan 02, 2011
by Austin D
Mar 22, 2010
This car handles nimbly, probably due to the light weight, but the stock tires don't have very much grip and the suspension is soft (when stock). The car is fun to drive on the whole though, especially when modified even a little. Acceleration isn't neck-snapping, but its better than what you would expect from its 130hp (again, this probably has to do with the light (<2500 lbs) weight and short gearing).Mar 22, 2010
by Pato G
Dec 06, 2009
Si lo llevas al piso queda hermosooo.
Bastante fragil pero se la banca.
Tiene buena mecanica y si lo preparas es lo maximo.
Osea es FOOOORDDDD lo mas..
Me encantaria manejarlo y si debe ser hermoso manejarlo a
este autoDec 06, 2009
by Andy F
Jul 31, 2009
Gets me from point a to point b with a little zip! Great gas mileage, fun to drive, are a few words to describe!
If your looking for basic transportation, this one's a winner. 107,000 miles, and practically no problems.Jul 31, 2009
by Jonny N
Nov 06, 2008
I loved this car . it felt really great to drive and i enjoyed croozin round lissenin 2 tunes and pickin up sexy birds. some er stole it 6 months ago. when it was stolen i was in gutted coz now i cant go croozin round bolton and manchester every day Nov 06, 2008
by Victor V
Sep 24, 2008
It is a amazing car, with a very well made interior, a very good engine, and a solid structure. Very stable and balanced, with a high engine compression, excelent brakes and a very good acceleration.
I've changed the clutch kit, and added 18" wheells.
Excellent car to travel, and enjoy rides when stressed.Sep 24, 2008
by Anonymous
Sep 13, 2008
It's cool, comfortable, sporty, quick but not fast, it's a nice fit for our family with 2 children. It's the WRC (World Rally Cup Edition) with the ground effect spoilers. Very nice! It has cruise, and is a nice driving car. The suspension is very nice, the handling is very good. It's peppy, and fun to drive.
I dislike that the clutch shows signs of letting go after only a year and 7000km. The rear center seatbelt jammed up.
The dealer experience was good, but the selling price was high. For $25000, some people might have felt it was exhorbitant for a 3-door coupe.
If you keep the mileage low, and don't mind paying the extra, (and feel you have to buy North American) then it's a good buy. I expect the maintenance costs will be high if we hang onto it for several years. We rust-check it twice per year. Sep 13, 2008
by Dan E
Sep 02, 2008
the overall performance of the car is awesome. it handles extremely well, acceleration is pretty decent, and the motor runs nice and smooth. although it is a bit rough on suspension its not too bad. the appearance is great and not to many people own this style. gas mileage is magnificent city and highway and keeping regularly scheduled maintenance is not too expensive. this car is definitely fun to drive but as i read in another review it tends to attract other sports car in which this one does not compare too lol. Sep 02, 2008
by Derek C
Aug 20, 2008
Performance â acceleration, braking, handling
Build Quality â has it needed repairs? squeaks/rattles
Appearance â both interior and exterior styling
Cost of Ownership â gas mileage, maintenance
Fun Factor â is this car fun to drive?
Performance â acceleration, braking, handling
Build Quality â has it needed repairs? squeaks/rattles
Appearance â both interior and exterior styling
Cost of Ownership â gas mileage, maintenance
Fun Factor â is this car fun to drive? Aug 20, 2008
by Brandi Leigh H
Aug 13, 2008
what i hated is the black leather interior. it was gorgeous, but damn, in the summer that thing was hotter than hell, and in the winter it was sooooo cold! it also needed new tires. other than that, it had awesome bass system, it was really just an overall great car. Aug 13, 2008
by Kenny H
Jul 10, 2008
If it weren't for bad luck, my car would be on the zx2 song on youtube. I thought you knew? If you buy a subcompact that is a better deal, your lying.Jul 10, 2008
by Eric K
Jun 11, 2008
The Escort has been around since the 1981, and since that time has been a staple for alot of people. I've owned 2 in my life and they're GREAT cars.Jun 11, 2008
by Meghan G
May 22, 2008
Sigh, I wish mine had a bumper like this. Oh well, at 30 mpg in the city, I can't complain!!May 22, 2008
by Justin S
Mar 25, 2008
It gets the job done and is reliable. Easy to work on and fun to play around with.Mar 25, 2008
by JC P
Feb 23, 2008
It was small and great on gas but every 1000 miles you have to take it in and service the engine because of a large amount of power lose. Very annoying.Feb 23, 2008
I have an 03 ford escort that won't start. I have spark and fuel. I have replaced battery, fuel injectors, crank and camshaft position sensor, coil pack, spark plugs and wires, engine coolant temperature sensor. No other ideas as to what it could be.
I have replaced the idle sensor and also cleaned the throttle body but no change. What else could it be? Some people suggest i change the fuel filter? Please advise as im desperate cause the car is in daily use. When i come to a sudden stop the idle drops and car switches off. Ford ikon 2004 model
I was doing 70 down the highway when my car stopped running the timing belt hadn't broke but looking at the tensioner it was no good I replace the tensioner lined up the cams found top dead center and set the timing however it's still won't run any suggestions on what I should do next
I put in a new fuel pump starter and fuel filter it will go and then start to act like ots bogging down then it wont accelerate at all. I'll put it in park turn it off turn key to on off 3 times real fast then start it and it is really slow and when it does that or just revs up it makes a popping noise like something is clogged
When driving home last night i found my car was struggling to get up a hill near my place. On the way down i realised my car had slipped out of gear (its an automatic) and was just revving. I have checked the transmission fluid and it seems fine. I had just put the car into overdrive so im thinking it might have triggered a problem with the car computer system. I will try and reset that later but if that doesn't work, any suggestions? Its a 2003 ford Mondeo sedan