The fifth generation of the Escort knew several facelifts, including the 1995 model, which some named as the sixth generation.
If someone could spot the differences between a 1993 and a 1995 Escort, that person should be chosen for a competition of “spot the 10 differences between these two images”. There were thin lines between the two facelifted models, and it was just a way for Ford to buy some time before the launch of the new compact-sized vehicle, the Focus, which arrived just three years later.

The new, oval-shaped grille and the headlights were replaced, like in most cases of facelifted models. The trend started to go toward round shapes, and Ford was happy since its badge was oval. For the four-door version, the carmaker already gave up the Orion name, which helped the car be well marketed.

The most significant differences were inside, where Ford introduced a completely new dashboard with improved materials and shapes. Its instrument cluster featured arched lines instead of the bulky form of its predecessor. Depending on the trim level, an oval-shaped clock was placed next to the steering wheel, while the center stack sported the HVAC units and the stereo-cassette sound system.

Depending on the market and trim level, the Escort sedan featured a choice of seven engines ranged between 60 hp and 105 hp. One of the most important improvements was the new, 1.8-liter turbodiesel engine that offered an excellent fuel-efficiency.