What is the best Ford Escort for fuel economy?

The strongest year was 1985 at 40 mpg combined, against 22 mpg in 1986. That is a 18 mpg spread across the nameplate's history.

How much does a Ford Escort cost to fuel each year?

At 11,500 miles a year the 2002 model uses between 442 and 442 gallons, or $1,548 to $1,548 at $3.50 a gallon.

What does the Ford Escort emit?

EPA reports 341.8076923076923 to 341.8076923076923 grams of tailpipe CO2 per mile for the 2002 model year, or about 3.9 to 3.9 tons over a year of driving.

Ford Escort MPG by year — every rating on record

The Ford Escort has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 19 model years, from 1984 to 2002. Across those years its best rated version returned 40 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 22 mpg (1986). The EPA record holds 89 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

40best combined mpg (1985)

22worst combined mpg (1986)

26latest year best (2002)

89configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model year	Configurations	Best combined	Worst combined	Class rank that year	Drivetrains	Fuel	EPA class
1984	16	39 mpg	23 mpg	#1 of 36 (100th pct)	n/a	Regular, Diesel	Compact Cars
1985	16	40 mpg	23 mpg	#1 of 45 (100th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular, Diesel	Compact Cars
1986	6	34 mpg	22 mpg	#4 of 48 (94th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular, Diesel	Compact Cars
1987	5	35 mpg	25 mpg	#1 of 57 (100th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular, Diesel	Compact Cars
1988	4	32 mpg	24 mpg	#1 of 53 (100th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1989	4	32 mpg	25 mpg	#3 of 49 (96th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1990	4	32 mpg	24 mpg	#2 of 46 (98th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1991	4	28 mpg	23 mpg	#6 of 60 (92th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1992	4	29 mpg	23 mpg	#4 of 58 (95th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1993	4	29 mpg	23 mpg	#3 of 55 (96th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1994	4	29 mpg	23 mpg	#1 of 53 (100th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1995	4	29 mpg	22 mpg	#2 of 60 (98th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1996	4	30 mpg	22 mpg	#3 of 52 (96th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1997	2	28 mpg	26 mpg	#7 of 46 (87th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1998	2	28 mpg	25 mpg	#8 of 47 (85th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
1999	2	28 mpg	25 mpg	#9 of 50 (84th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
2000	2	27 mpg	26 mpg	#9 of 50 (84th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
2001	1	26 mpg	26 mpg	#16 of 62 (75th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars
2002	1	26 mpg	26 mpg	#15 of 64 (78th pct)	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Ford Escort placed highest in 1984 at #1 of 36, and lowest in 2001 at #16 of 62. It spent 19 of its 19 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 89 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

Year	Configuration	Engine detail	City	Highway	Combined	Gallons/yr	Barrels/yr	EPA fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi	GHG
2002	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	2.0L 4-cyl	23	32	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
2001	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	2.0L 4-cyl	23	32	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
2000	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	2.0L CVH	22	31	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
2000	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	2.0L CVH	24	32	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1999	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	2.0L 4-cyl	22	31	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1999	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	2.0L 4-cyl	24	34	28	410.7	10.6	$2,250	317.39285714285717	n/a
1998	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	2.0L 4-cyl	22	31	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1998	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	2.0L 4-cyl	24	34	28	410.7	10.6	$2,250	317.39285714285717	n/a
1997	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	31	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1997	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	24	34	28	410.7	10.6	$2,250	317.39285714285717	n/a
1996	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	20	27	22	522.7	13.5	$2,850	403.95454545454544	n/a
1996	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	28	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1996	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1996	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	26	35	30	383.3	9.9	$2,100	296.23333333333335	n/a
1995	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	20	26	22	522.7	13.5	$2,850	403.95454545454544	n/a
1995	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	28	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1995	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	31	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1995	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	26	34	29	396.6	10.3	$2,150	306.44827586206895	n/a
1994	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	21	27	23	500.0	12.9	$2,700	386.39130434782606	n/a
1994	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1994	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	32	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1994	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	26	34	29	396.6	10.3	$2,150	306.44827586206895	n/a
1993	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	21	27	23	500.0	12.9	$2,700	386.39130434782606	n/a
1993	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1993	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	30	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1993	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	26	33	29	396.6	10.3	$2,150	306.44827586206895	n/a
1992	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	21	27	23	500.0	12.9	$2,700	386.39130434782606	n/a
1992	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1992	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	32	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1992	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	26	34	29	396.6	10.3	$2,150	306.44827586206895	n/a
1991	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	21	27	23	500.0	12.9	$2,700	386.39130434782606	n/a
1991	1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1991	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	30	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1991	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	25	33	28	410.7	10.6	$2,250	317.39285714285717	n/a
1990	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS) (MPFI)	21	28	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1990	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	29	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1990	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS) (SPFI)	23	33	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1990	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	28	38	32	359.4	9.3	$1,950	277.71875	n/a
1989	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1989	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS) (MPFI)	22	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1989	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS) (SPFI)	23	33	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1989	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	28	38	32	359.4	9.3	$1,950	277.71875	n/a
1988	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	(FFS)	21	28	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1988	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1988	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS) (SPFI)	24	33	28	410.7	10.6	$2,250	317.39285714285717	n/a
1988	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	(FFS) (SPFI)	28	38	32	359.4	9.3	$1,950	277.71875	n/a
1987	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	(FFS)	23	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1987	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	31	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1987	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	24	34	28	410.7	10.6	$2,250	317.39285714285717	n/a
1987	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	(FFS)	27	38	31	371.0	9.6	$2,000	286.6774193548387	n/a
1987	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel	(NO-CAT), Diesel	31	40	35	328.6	10.2	$2,550	290.85714285714283	n/a
1986	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	(FFS)	19	26	22	522.7	13.5	$2,850	403.95454545454544	n/a
1986	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	1.9L 4-cyl	21	26	23	500.0	12.9	$2,700	386.39130434782606	n/a
1986	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	21	29	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1986	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	1.9L 4-cyl	23	31	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1986	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	1.9L 4-cyl	26	35	29	396.6	10.3	$2,150	306.44827586206895	n/a
1986	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel	(NO-CAT), Diesel	31	39	34	338.2	10.5	$2,650	299.4117647058824	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	(FFS)	21	27	23	500.0	12.9	$2,700	386.39130434782606	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	1.6L 4-cyl	22	28	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS,TRBO), turbocharged	20	31	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	30	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1985	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular	1.9L 4-cyl	23	29	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS) CA model	23	31	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	1.6L 4-cyl	22	32	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	CA model	23	32	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1985	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	CA model	24	33	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1985	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	CA model	23	34	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	(CALIF)	23	33	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1985	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular	1.9L 4-cyl	23	33	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1985	1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	1.9L 4-cyl	28	39	32	359.4	9.3	$1,950	277.71875	n/a
1985	1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular	1.6L 4-cyl	29	39	33	348.5	9.0	$1,900	269.3030303030303	n/a
1985	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel	(CALIF), Diesel	31	39	34	338.2	10.5	$2,650	299.4117647058824	n/a
1985	2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel	2.0L 4-cyl, Diesel	36	46	40	287.5	8.9	$2,250	254.5	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular	1.6L 4-cyl	21	26	23	500.0	12.9	$2,700	386.39130434782606	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular	CA model	21	26	23	500.0	12.9	$2,700	386.39130434782606	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular	1.6L 4-cyl	21	29	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular	(FFS)	21	27	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS,TRBO), turbocharged	21	30	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular	(FFS) CA model	21	27	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS,TRBO) CA model, turbocharged	21	30	24	479.2	12.4	$2,600	370.2916666666667	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS)	22	30	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular	CA model	21	31	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular	(FFS) CA model	22	30	25	460.0	11.9	$2,500	355.48	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 4-spd Regular	(CALIF)	23	31	26	442.3	11.4	$2,400	341.8076923076923	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 4-spd Regular	CA model	23	32	27	425.9	11.0	$2,300	329.14814814814815	n/a
1984	1.6L 4-cyl Manual 4-spd Regular	1.6L 4-cyl	28	39	32	359.4	9.3	$1,950	277.71875	n/a
1984	2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel	(CALIF)	31	39	34	338.2	10.5	$2,650	299.4117647058824	n/a
1984	2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel	(DIESEL) CA model	31	39	34	338.2	10.5	$2,650	299.4117647058824	n/a
1984	2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel	(DIESEL)	35	47	39	294.9	9.2	$2,300	261.02564102564105	n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 4 of 10 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

Change	Best combined	Delta	Gallons a year at the newer rating
1984 → 1985	39 → 40 mpg	+1 mpg	288 gal
1985 → 1986	40 → 34 mpg	-6 mpg	338 gal
1986 → 1987	34 → 35 mpg	+1 mpg	329 gal
1987 → 1988	35 → 32 mpg	-3 mpg	359 gal
1990 → 1991	32 → 28 mpg	-4 mpg	411 gal
1991 → 1992	28 → 29 mpg	+1 mpg	397 gal
1995 → 1996	29 → 30 mpg	+1 mpg	383 gal
1996 → 1997	30 → 28 mpg	-2 mpg	411 gal
1999 → 2000	28 → 27 mpg	-1 mpg	426 gal
2000 → 2001	27 → 26 mpg	-1 mpg	442 gal

What Escort fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2002 Ford Escort burns 442 to 442 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump price	Most efficient	Thirstiest	Spread
$3.00/gal	$1,327	$1,327	$0
$3.50/gal	$1,548	$1,548	$0
$4.00/gal	$1,769	$1,769	$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2002 model year is $2,400 to $2,400 a year in fuel, or $750 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 26 mpg the Ford Escort is exactly at the median.

All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Ford nameplates

Every Ford model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.