1978 Ford Escort vs. 1999 Kia Elan

To start off, 1999 Kia Elan is newer by 21 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1978 Ford Escort. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1978 Ford Escort would be higher. At 1,793 cc (4 cylinders), 1999 Kia Elan is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1999 Kia Elan (149 HP @ 6250 RPM) has 104 more horse power than 1978 Ford Escort. (45 HP @ 6000 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1999 Kia Elan should accelerate faster than 1978 Ford Escort. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1999 Kia Elan weights approximately 193 kg more than 1978 Ford Escort. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.

Because 1978 Ford Escort is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1978 Ford Escort. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1999 Kia Elan, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1999 Kia Elan (186 Nm @ 4500 RPM) has 126 more torque (in Nm) than 1978 Ford Escort. (60 Nm @ 4500 RPM). This means 1999 Kia Elan will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1978 Ford Escort.

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