1995-2000 Ford Contour: Year-to-Year Changes
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-2000 Ford Contour. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-2000 Ford Contour.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Ford Contour:
To improve rear-seat space, backs of the front seats were scooped out, yielding an extra inch of leg room. During the 1996 model year, rear seat cushions were repositioned to produce a little more leg and head space. Chrome bumper strips were dropped. A Contour Sport model debuted in April 1996 in standard GL or upscale LX series.
1997 Ford Contour:
A new lower-priced base model debuted later in the 1997 model year. Traction control was dropped, but antilock braking remained available separately. All models added a standard trunk light and tilt steering wheel.
1998 Ford Contour:
Ford dropped the Base and GL and added a high-performance SVT model. The SVT used the 2.5-liter V6 engine but in 195-horsepower tune. Five-speed manual was the only transmission, and the SVT also added antilock brakes, sport suspension, larger tires, and other goodies. All Contours got a new center console with armrest.
1999 Ford Contour:
For '99 Contour shed the base and GL models, leaving only the LX, SE, and SVT editions. LX and SE models got more sporting suspension settings, and all models got a slightly larger fuel tank.
2000 Ford Contour:
Only a single Sport model remained for 2000, with features that had been optional on the SE, including a 170-horsepower V6. The high-performance SVT could still be obtained through selected Ford dealers.
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