The prior Escort used localized engines and shared some elements of design with the European model. The Escort for the 1990s, however, was almost identical to the Ford Laser and its derivatives, with minor differences in appearance and base engine. While the Laser featured identical powertrains to the Mazda Familia, the Escort carried over the 1.9 liter eight-valve Ford-designed CVH engine from the previous Escort, with the GT and LX-E receiving the Mazda-built 1.8 L "BP" I4. Much of the external styling mimicked the first generation Ford Taurus.