What the magazines measured
The ZX2 was a strong value in period tests. It was among the quicker cheap coupes, with a good chassis and so-so brakes. Here are the figures we can source.
Instrumented tests
| Test | Car | 0–60 | ¼ mile | Skidpad | 60–0 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Trend, May 1997 | Pre-production ZX2 | 7.4 s | — | — | — | Confirmed |
| Motor Trend, Aug 1997 | Escort ZX2 Sport | 7.8 s | 16.1 s | 0.78 g | 143 ft | Reported |
| Motor Trend, Sept 1999 | ZX2 S/R | 7.6 s | 15.8 s | 0.86 g | — | 0–60 confirmed |
| Road & Track, date unknown | ZX2 | 8.4 s | — | — | — | Reported |
| Orlando Sentinel, 1998 | ZX2 | 9.5 s | — | — | — | Reported |
Motor Trend’s 1997 test also ran the 600-foot slalom at 67.0 mph. The S/R test’s “stock” comparison figures match the August 1997 test exactly, so Motor Trend probably reused it as the baseline.
Comparison tests
Motor Trend, “Gen-X Files,” August 1997
Seven cheap coupes: the Escort ZX2, Honda Civic EX, Hyundai Tiburon FX, Mitsubishi Mirage LS, Nissan 200SX SE-R, Dodge Neon Highline and Toyota Paseo. Jeff Bartlett called the ZX2 “a stellar bargain”. Only the Neon was quicker to 60 (7.5 s), but the ZX2’s 143-ft stop was “merely mediocre” next to the Neon’s 133 ft and the SE-R’s 126 ft. The test advised skipping the roughly $600 Sport package. Reported
Car and Driver, May 1997
Five coupes: a '98 ZX2 Hot with the Sport package against the Eagle Talon ESi, Toyota Paseo, Saturn SC2 and Hyundai Tiburon. The ZX2 won, praised for its “well-sorted chassis, torquey engine” and the roomiest back seat. We have this only from Consumer Guide’s retelling, not the magazine. Reported
Reviews
- Consumer Guide: observed fuel economy in the mid-to-high 20s mpg. Less impressed than with the Escort sedan, and noted road and wind noise. Reported
- Kansas City Star: said the ZX2 “outshines” the Saturn, Civic, Neon and Cavalier. Reported
- Orlando Sentinel: found the clutch and shifter less smooth than the Civic’s or 200SX’s, and pointed out that the Cavalier Z24 and Sunfire GT had ABS as standard. Reported
Missing tests
We haven’t found the Car and Driver figures, Road & Track’s test date, or any Consumer Reports, Automobile or Edmunds instrumented test. Scans of any period road test are welcome on the forum.