The 1998 Ford Escort ranks among today's prominent vintage compact sedans. Offered in sedan and wagon body styles, the Escort adheres to a simplistic design philosophy. The car is split between the LX and ZX2 trims, with the former being more basic and the latter more sporty. The LX is powered by a 110-hp 2.0L inline-4, paired with a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. The ZX2 comes with a zestier 130-hp version of the same 2.0L engine and more sporty touches, like unique bodywork and alloy wheels. Interior features include available air conditioning and a cassette player. Safety-wise, the Escort has dual front airbags and optional ABS. Changes from the 1997 model are relatively minor, consisting mainly of minor spec reshuffling and adherence to tighter safety standards.