Trims and packages
Three trim structures in six years. Cool and Hot (1998–99), one model with option groups (2000–01), then Standard, Deluxe and Premium (2002–03). Contents come from Ford's brochures.
At a glance
| Years | Trims | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–1999 | Cool, Hot | Most options Hot-only. Sport, Comfort, Power and (1998) Appearance groups. |
| 2000 | One model | Spoiler, alloys, tachometer and power mirrors now standard. Comfort and Power groups. S/R package. |
| 2001 | One model | Same groups as 2000. No S/R. |
| 2002–2003 | Standard, Deluxe, Premium | Option groups replaced by trims. 2003 facelift. |
1998–1999: Cool and Hot
The launch brochure lists three equipment packages: Ford brochure
- 326A Cool: the base car. A/C optional. Cool buyers had a choice of four colors, all with a Medium Graphite interior.
- 327A Hot: adds A/C, driver’s-door remote entry with panic alarm and a rear defroster.
- 328A Hot: adds power windows, power locks, all-door remote entry with perimeter anti-theft and power mirrors.
Option groups, all Hot only:
| Group | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | Rear spoiler, fog lamps, bright exhaust tip, sport seats with rear head restraints, 15-inch aluminum wheels, sport badging | Same, plus a leather-wrapped wheel. Autumn Orange paint was available only with this group. |
| Comfort | Speed control, tilt wheel, dual map lights, dual visor mirrors | Speed control, tilt wheel, dual map lights |
| Power | Power windows, power locks, all-door remote entry with anti-theft | Power windows, power locks |
| Appearance | Bright exhaust tip, chrome bolt-on wheel covers, leather-wrapped wheel | — |
A power moonroof was optional on the Hot. For 1999, the rear spoiler became optional on the Cool, leather became optional on the Hot, and the rear defroster became standard. ABS was optional on both trims. Ford brochure
The launch brochure lists the automatic as Hot-only, but the later 1998 Escort catalog shows it on the Cool too. Disputed
2000–2001: one model
Ford’s literature drops the Escort name and offers a single ZX2. A rear spoiler, power mirrors, a tachometer, AM/FM cassette and 15-inch aluminum “swirl” wheels are standard. Ford brochure
- Comfort Group: dual map lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, speed control, tilt wheel.
- Power Group: all-door remote keyless entry with anti-theft, power windows with one-touch-down driver’s side, power locks.
- Individual options: air conditioning, power moonroof, 6-disc CD changer with 80-watt Premium Sound, leather sport buckets, ABS, automatic transmission, 14-inch chrome 5-spoke wheels.
- S/R (2000 only, and 1999): the S/R package. It required A/C and couldn’t be combined with the Comfort Group or ABS. Reported
Consumer Guide lists option prices for 2000–01: ABS $400, A/C $795, Power or Comfort Group $395 each, leather $395, 6-disc changer $295, moonroof $595, chrome wheels $595, automatic $815. Reported
2002–2003: Standard, Deluxe, Premium
| Standard | Deluxe | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 15-inch alloys, rear spoiler, power mirrors, AM/FM cassette, stainless exhaust | Adds A/C, speed control, tilt wheel, leather-wrapped wheel, map lights, floor mats | Adds power windows and locks, remote keyless entry with anti-theft, fog lamps |
| Options | Automatic, A/C, ABS, floor mats | Automatic, ABS, power moonroof | Automatic, ABS, moonroof, 6-disc changer, leather sport buckets, 14-inch chrome wheels (2002) |
For 2003, Deluxe and Premium get an AM/FM stereo with a single CD player (the Standard keeps the cassette). The Premium’s optional wheel became a 15-inch bright machined aluminum wheel in place of the 14-inch chromes. Ford brochure
No ZX2 ever offered side airbags. Every brochure lists driver and passenger front airbags only.
Prices
Base MSRP in US dollars, before destination.
| Year | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Cool $11,580–12,580, Hot $13,050–13,080 | Disputed |
| 1999 | Cool $11,610–11,660, Hot $13,290–13,340 | Disputed |
| 2000 | $11,760–11,950 | Disputed |
| 2001 | $12,340 | Confirmed |
| 2002 | Standard $12,815, Deluxe $13,860, Premium $14,315 | Confirmed |
| 2003 | Standard $13,205, Deluxe $14,355, Premium $14,810 | Confirmed |
Ford cut 1998 prices by $1,000 (Cool) and $815 (Hot) in October 1997, which may explain some of the spread. The S/R package was $1,495.
Sources
The trim and group contents come from the 1998 launch brochure, the 1998 and 1999 Escort catalogs, the 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 ZX2 brochures. Prices come from Consumer Guide and cars.com.