How much did a Ford Escort cost in 1988?
In the United States, the base Ford Escort carried a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price around $6,000 to $7,000 in 1988, with higher-trim models and wagons closer to $9,000 or more when equipped with options. In the United Kingdom, list prices for the Escort started in the mid-£5,000 range, climbing with trim and body style. Prices varied by market, trim, and options.
To understand the question in context, this article looks at typical prices for the Escort during the 1988 model year across major markets, noting that dealer incentives, currency differences, and region-specific configurations could shift final sticker prices.
United States pricing in 1988
Typical U.S. MSRPs for the 1988 Escort varied by body style and trim. The figures below reflect common sticker prices before tax, destination charges, and dealer fees.
- Base 4-door Escort: about $6,000–$6,800
- Mid-range (L/LX) 4-door or wagon: about $6,800–$7,900
- Escort Wagon (4-door): about $7,000–$8,500
- Escort GT (sport hatch): about $9,000–$10,000
Prices in the U.S. varied with options, transmission choice, and regional incentives. The numbers above represent sticker prices at the time, excluding taxes and destination charges.
Prices in the United Kingdom and Europe in 1988
European and UK pricing depended on trim, engine, and tax structure. The ranges below illustrate typical sticker prices for the Escort in 1988 across major markets before local taxes and fees.
- Base Escort (3- or 5-door): about £5,000–£6,000
- Mid-range trims (GL/L, 1.6L): about £6,000–£7,500
- Estate (station wagon): about £6,000–£7,500
- Higher-end trims (Ghia or similar): about £7,500–£9,000
European prices reflected VAT, regional taxation, and currency exchange differences, so actual on-street prices varied by country and dealer.
Summary
In 1988, the Ford Escort presented a price span that reflected market and configuration differences. In the United States, base models typically stickered in the mid-$6,000s, with wagons and higher-trim variants costing more. In the United Kingdom and Europe, base prices generally sat around £5,000–£6,000, rising with trim and body style. These figures come from contemporary price lists and brochures and illustrate how regional factors shaped what buyers paid for an Escort in that year.
