---
title: "Ford Escort ZX2 specifications and dimensions"
description: "Ford ZX2 dimensions, interior space, weight, engine, drivetrain, chassis, tires, fuel economy and towing, from Ford's brochures with sources for each figure."
url: https://zx2ms.com/wiki/specs
reviewed: 2026-10-30
---

# Specifications

> Figures for the standard car, mostly from Ford's own brochures. Where a value changed by year or sources disagree, the table says so. Engine internals and gear ratios are on Engine and drivetrain.

Confidence tags: [Confirmed] means two or more sources agree, [Reported] means one source or owner report, [Disputed] means sources conflict. Ford's own literature is treated as a primary source.

## Engine

| Item | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engine | 2.0L Zetec DOHC 16-valve I4 with variable cam timing | [Ford brochure] |
| Output | 130 hp @ 5,750 rpm, 127 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm | [Ford brochure] |
| 2003 torque | 127 lb-ft per Ford's 2003 brochure; 135 per some third-party sources | [Disputed] |
| Tune-up interval | 100,000 miles under normal conditions | [Ford brochure] |

More on the [Engine and drivetrain](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/engine) page.

## Drivetrain

| Item | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive | [Confirmed] |
| Transmissions | 5-speed manual standard, 4-speed automatic optional | [Ford brochure] |
| Transmission models | Mazda G5M manual, F-4EAT automatic | [Confirmed] |
| Final drive | 4.10:1 manual, 3.74:1 automatic | [Ford brochure] |

## Chassis

| Item | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body | Unitized | [Ford brochure] |
| Front suspension | Independent, gas-pressurized MacPherson struts, stabilizer bar, isolated engine subframe | [Ford brochure] |
| Rear suspension | Independent Quadralink, stabilizer bar | [Ford brochure] |
| Steering | Power rack-and-pinion, 17.0:1 overall ratio | [Ford brochure] |
| Brakes | Power front disc, rear drum | [Ford brochure] |
| Front rotor | 10.1 × 0.87 in | [Reported] |
| ABS | Optional every year, including on the 1998 Cool and Hot | [Ford brochure] |
| Bumpers | 5-mph energy-absorbing | [Ford brochure] |

## Wheels and tires

| Years | Standard | Optional |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1998–99 | 14-inch steel wheels with covers, P185/65R14 | 14-inch 5-spoke alloys (Hot); 15-inch alloys with P185/60R15 (Sport Group) |
| 2000–02 | 15-inch aluminum "swirl" wheels, P185/60R15 | 14-inch chrome 5-spoke with P185/65R14 (Premium only in 2002) |
| 2003 | 15-inch painted 5-spoke alloys, P185/60R15 | 15-inch bright machined alloys (Premium) |

The S/R used rear discs and 205/55ZR15 tires. See the [S/R spec sheet](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/sr/specs). [Ford brochures]

![Black 2000 Ford ZX2 from the front left, on the standard 15-inch swirl alloy wheels](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/photos/2000-zx2-black.jpg)

*A 2000 ZX2 on the standard 15-inch "swirl" alloys. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.*

## Dimensions

| Item | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wheelbase | 98.4 in (2,499 mm) | [Ford brochure] |
| Length | 175.2 in (4,451 mm) | [Ford brochure] |
| Width | 67.4 in (1,712 mm) | [Ford brochure] |
| Height | 52.3 in (1,328 mm) | [Ford brochure] |
| Track, front and rear | 56.5 in (1,435 mm) | [Ford brochure] |
| Curb weight | About 2,478 lb | [Confirmed] |
| Fuel tank | 12.8 gal (48.5 L) in the 1998–2000 brochures and the 2002 owner's guide; 12.7 gal in the 2001–2003 brochures | [Ford sources differ] |

Ford's own literature disagrees by a tenth of a gallon: the 2001–2003 brochures say 12.7, while the 2002 owner's guide says 12.8 (48.5 L). That's why both figures turn up elsewhere.

## Interior space

| Item | Front | Rear |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Head room | 38.0 in | 35.1 in |
| Leg room | 42.5 in | 33.4 in |
| Shoulder room | 50.8 in | 48.7 in |

The trunk holds 11.8 cu ft, and the car seats four: the rear seat has no center position. A 60/40 split-fold rear seat was standard. [Ford brochure]

## Economy and towing

| Item | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EPA, manual | 26 city / 33 highway mpg | [Ford brochure] |
| EPA, automatic | 25 / 33 mpg | [Confirmed] |
| Towing | 1,000 lb (454 kg) maximum trailer, 100 lb tongue load | [Ford owner's guide] |

The EPA figures are the original ratings, before the 2008 revision, so they read higher than modern figures.

## Sources

Most figures come from the [1998](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/brochures/1998-ford-escort.pdf) and [1999](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/brochures/1999-ford-escort.pdf) Escort catalogs, the French-Canadian [2000 ZX2 brochure](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/brochures/2000-ford-zx2-french.pdf) (which gives metric dimensions), the [2001](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/brochures/2001-ford-zx2.pdf) and [2003](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/brochures/2003-ford-zx2.pdf) ZX2 brochures, Ford's [2003 towing guide](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/brochures/2003-ford-rv-trailer-towing-guide.pdf) and the [2002 owner's guide](https://zx2ms.com/wiki/brochures/2002-ford-escort-zx2-owners-guide.pdf).

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Source: https://zx2ms.com/wiki/specs (ZX2 Motorsports wiki). Questions or corrections: admin@zx2ms.com.