12 DISCONTINUED FORD CARS FROM THE 90S, RANKED WORST TO BEST

10.Ford Orion Mk III (1990-1993)

The Orion was basically a rebranded sedan version of the Escort—likely a marketing move to give sales a little nudge. As a compact four-door, it was perfectly adequate, but the unfamiliar name didn’t do it any favors. After just three years, Ford pulled the plug. That said, the car didn’t disappear entirely; it lived on under its more familiar identity as the Escort Saloon.

Mechanically, the Orion was every bit an Escort—but it missed out on the more exciting engine options. No RS2000 power here. Instead, buyers had to choose from a range of modest four-cylinder petrol engines: 1.3L, 1.4L, 1.6L, or 1.8L, producing between 60 and 105 horsepower, all paired with a five-speed manual. There was also a sluggish 1.8-liter diesel option, which made only 60 hp—but made up for it with impressive 42 mpg fuel economy. The engines, to be fair, were pretty dependable. The manual transmission, not so much. Early versions, especially those built before 1992, suffered from a stiff, uncomfortable ride. And really, the Escort lineup as a whole didn’t shake off its reliability gremlins until 1995—meaning the Orion Mk III just missed the boat.