2021 Ford Escort facelift debuts in China

Ford Escort was quite an important nameplate for the brand till it was discontinued when the Focus came around in 2002. The Escort name can now be found on a China-made sedan on our roads that came in 2019. Now, the 2021 Ford Escort gets a thorough facelift in China.

Even though the Escort was launched here recently, we did not get the facelift it received in 2018 for the China-spec model. This can be forgiven because the 2018 facelift did not bring many changes to the sedan. But the facelift on the 2021 Escort is a major one with radical changes both on the exterior and the interior. The front fascia looks completely new, with slimmer headlamps, new grill and bumper. The design of the Escort is now more like its largest sibling, the China-made Taurus. The interior is also brand new, sporting a twin-screen setup, each measuring 10.25-inches.

Powering the 2021 Escort is the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine powering the front wheels. The mill is good for 121 hp and 150 Nm of torque. There is an option to choose between a six-speed manual transmission or an auto-box.

Even though it is just a facelift, the 2021 Ford Escort is a substantial improvement over its predecessor. Considering its low starting price, there is a lot on offer. But will the facelifted 2021 Escort reach our showrooms and rental fleets? That remains to be seen.