Images
The Ford Escort Cosworth seems to have entered popular folklore as the car that, for a while at least, killed the hot hatch. Here was a car so quick, so capable and yet so desirable to ne'er-do-wells that the insurance industry threw a hissy fit, made it all but uninsurable and applied the same policy to anything with a GTi badge on it. Whilst history may record a black mark against the Escort Cosworth, anybody who ever drove it could almost understand frustrated young men wanting to get behind the wheel at any cost. It was that good. Even by today's standards it more than shapes up, making tracking down a decent used example a fascinating experience.
+ More
Detailed ratings
Super Hatch - GTi Hatchbacks
What you get
An icon. That and a supremely practical hatchback to go with the loud suit.
+ More
What to look for
Plenty to look out for here. Early 'big turbo' models have been known to blow their turbochargers, the evidence being a cloud of white smoke from the exhaust at start up and upon throttle load. Acceleration will also be reduced. The engine block is sound although be wary if the car has been 'chipped' without any other modifications.
Clutches are good for around 300bhp, whilst the MT75 gearbox can handle 375bhp without too much difficulty. If the car has been modified above these thresholds without extensive accompanying work, walk away. Watch out for cars that have been lowered. Most owners opted for the no-cost Aero Pack, only to divest themselves of their front spoilers at the first sniff of a speed hump.
The major issue is bodywork. Pieced together painstakingly by men in white coats at the Karmann factory, the Escort RS Cosworth doesn't repair easily should you take an agricultural excursion. Look closely at seams, panel and gaps and check that the vehicle is HPI clear and not a stolen/recovered or a damaged repairable. When Cosworths spear off the Queen's Highway, you can bet they weren't dawdling.
+ More
Replacement parts
(approx based on a 1994 Escort RS Cosworth) On the one hand you expect a premium performance car to cost yet on the other you remind yourself it's a Ford. Well, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Spares for the Cosworth are reassuringly expensive. If you get 8,000 miles out of the 225/45ZR16 tyres you're not driving it properly, and brake discs are around £150 a pair up front and £140 a pair at the back. Brake calipers are around £90, ignition leads £45 and don't even ask about body panels
+ More
On the road
Superb. The only area in which the Escort RS Cosworth feels a little old fashioned is in its sit-up-and-beg driving position, but otherwise it's still got the wherewithal to show any of today's hot hatch pretenders its chubby behind and that includes the cream of the crop like the Audi S3 and the Renault Clio V6. Chalking up performance figures of 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, the Escort feels beautifully balanced at all times, the four-wheel drive split with a rearwards bias to satisfy gung-ho drivers. Few four-wheel drive sports cars are easy to balance in a drift but the Escort Cosworth makes such antics easy.
The later small turbo cars are probably the driver's choice, despite 'only' packing 220bhp up front. Top speed was 140mph with the rear wing in place or 147mph should you choose to remove it. Do bear in mind that driving an Escort RS Cosworth still appears to be viewed as an offence by many constabularies.
+ More
Overall
As long as you can afford the insurance and don't mind the slightly thuggish image, the Escort RS Cosworth is a car that can delight like few others. Despite being the car that temporarily killed the GTi genre, there's never been anything quite like it before or since. A classic in the making.
+ More
Find a Review
We have over 500 new and used car reviews to help you find your next car.
Browse reviews and model guides for all makes
