Skip advert
Advertisement

Escort RS Cosworth

If our top fast Fords were picked on visual impact alone, then the Escort RS Cosworth would be a clear winner. With its bulging wheelarches, aggressive nose and wild rear wing, it looks like nothing else on the road.

Escort RS Cosworth

If our top fast Fords were picked on visual impact alone, then the Escort RS Cosworth would be a clear winner. With its bulging wheelarches, aggressive nose and wild rear wing, it looks like nothing else on the road.

Designed to blast through rally stages and meet Group A regulations, this pumped-up homologation special had little in common with the standard Escort that topped the sales charts during the early Nineties. In fact, the muscular makeover hid a shortened Sierra RS Cosworth platform, together with that car’s powerful engine, plus four-wheel drive.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The outrageous looks aren’t just for show – the combination of wings, spoilers and scoops gives the Cossie genuine aerodynamic downforce at high speeds.

And the Escort was fast! In 1993 – its debut rally season – the car notched up five victories, an incredible achievement for a new design.

The RS was equally effective on the road, and it easily matches more modern competition. Performance from the gruff 227bhp 2.0-litre motor is explosive, despite the turbo lag. But it’s the RS Cosworth’s chassis that shines the brightest. The steering is sharp and provides plenty of feedback, while its rally car roots give it strong grip and incredible agility.

If the forthcoming Focus RS is half as good as the RS Cosworth, then Ford fans are in for a treat.

* Performance: 4/5
* Heritage: 4/5
* Style: 5/5
* Driver appeal:5/5

Vote for your favourite fast Ford here, in our exclusive reader survey

Details

Model tested: Escort RS Cosworth
Chart position: 2

Skip advert
Advertisement
In This Review

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,919 off RRP*Used from £37,995
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £34,716
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £6,040 off RRP*Used from £13,000
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,773 off RRP*Used from £15,876
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025