Best Car Reviews - 1986 Ford Laser

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Introduction

The 1986 Ford Laser was a practical subcompact designed for buyers who wanted an affordable, easy-to-drive hatchback with room for five. This review focuses on the front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder, regular-gasoline version with a four-speed manual transmission, a specification closely associated with the Australian-market Laser GL 1.6. Its Mazda-based engineering, compact five-door shape and straightforward mechanical layout made it a sensible everyday car rather than a luxury or performance model.

Design and Exterior Features

The 1986 Laser introduced the rounded KC-generation body, replacing the more angular look of its predecessor. The hatchback measured about 3,995 mm long, 1,650 mm wide and 1,390 mm high, so it was compact enough for crowded streets while retaining a useful upright cabin. The GL used a clean, functional appearance with simple lighting, protective side mouldings and practical hatchback access; sportier TX3 versions added more visual drama.

Compact five-door hatchback body with seating for five
Front-wheel-drive layout for efficient packaging
Rear window wiper and split-folding rear seat on GL hatchbacks
13-inch steel wheels on mainstream GL versions
More aerodynamic, rounded styling than the previous Laser generation

Interior and Comfort

The Laser cabin was built around simplicity and visibility. The dashboard placed major controls within easy reach, while the hatchback body and folding rear seat improved everyday flexibility. In GL form, cloth upholstery, an AM/FM cassette radio and a dashboard clock gave it a modest but useful specification. Ghia and TX3 versions added more comfort and convenience equipment, but the four-speed manual GL should be viewed as an honest, no-frills small car.

Practical five-seat cabin with good hatchback versatility
Cloth trim and 50/50 split-fold rear seat in GL hatchbacks
Simple analogue controls and easy-to-read instruments
AM/FM cassette audio on GL versions
Higher trims offered features such as power steering, central locking and upgraded trim

Performance and Handling

The supplied specification identifies a four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive Laser with a four-speed manual gearbox and regular gasoline. The closely matching 1.6-litre GL used a naturally aspirated single-overhead-cam engine rated at about 53 kW and 121 Nm in Australian specification. It is best suited to relaxed commuting rather than rapid acceleration; published acceleration figures vary by source and condition, so no exact sprint claim is appropriate. The supplied fuel-consumption figure is 12.39625 L/100 km, equivalent to roughly 19.0 mpg US, although real economy will depend heavily on engine tune, driving style and the car’s age.

Four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine
Four-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive
About 53 kW and 121 Nm for the comparable 1.6-litre GL specification
Ventilated front disc brakes and rear drum brakes
Independent front and rear suspension for a composed small-car ride

Technology and Connectivity

Technology was basic by modern standards. The Laser predates digital infotainment, smartphone integration, navigation, Bluetooth and driver-assistance systems. Its useful technology was conventional: radio-cassette entertainment, clear heater and ventilation controls, and trim-dependent convenience items such as central locking or power steering. Modern connectivity requires an aftermarket stereo or discreet accessory solution.

Factory AM/FM radio-cassette system on GL versions
No factory Bluetooth, navigation or smartphone integration
No reversing camera or parking sensors
No modern driver-assistance features
Trim-dependent power steering and central locking

Safety Features

The 1986 Ford Laser reflects the safety expectations of its era. Seat belts, a rigid passenger compartment for the period, front disc brakes and rear drum brakes formed the core of its safety equipment. Airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control and modern crash-avoidance technology were not part of this specification. No verified contemporary crash-test rating is available for this exact 1986 Laser configuration, so it should not be compared directly with modern safety-rated subcompacts.

Seat belts for occupants
Front ventilated disc brakes
Rear drum brakes
No airbags in the comparable 1986 specification
No verified crash-test score for this exact model

Pricing and Variants

A verified original base price in USD is not available for this market-specific 1986 Laser, so a converted or estimated dollar figure would be misleading. The Australian Laser range included L, GL, Ghia and TX3 hatchbacks, with sedan and wagon derivatives marketed as Ford Meteor in some configurations. The GL was the practical middle-ground choice, while the Ghia added comfort equipment and the TX3 was the enthusiast-oriented three-door. Against contemporary subcompacts such as the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 323, Honda Civic and Nissan Pulsar, the Laser competed on compact dimensions, useful packaging and familiar Mazda-derived mechanicals.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Compact dimensions make it easy to park and manoeuvre
Practical hatchback body offers useful cargo flexibility
Simple four-cylinder mechanical layout
Front-wheel drive provides predictable everyday handling
Strong period appeal for buyers who enjoy 1980s Japanese-Australian small cars

Cons

Four-speed manual is less relaxed at highway speeds than a five-speed
Safety equipment is far behind modern standards
No factory modern connectivity or driver assistance
Performance is modest, especially when fully loaded
Condition and parts availability vary greatly after four decades

Maintenance and Common Issues

No reliable current annual maintenance-cost figure is available for a 1986 Ford Laser, because costs are driven more by corrosion, previous repairs, parts availability and local labour rates than by a standard service schedule. A pre-purchase inspection is essential. Common owner and workshop attention points include body rust, ageing brake components and lines, worn suspension bushes and dampers, carburettor or ignition tune issues on carburetted versions, and deteriorated cables or electrical connections. Inspect the timing-belt service history, cooling system, CV joints, clutch operation and gearbox condition before buying.

Rating

Overall rating: 6.3/10. Design: 7/10 for its tidy, practical hatchback shape. Comfort: 6/10 for straightforward accommodation and modest trim. Performance: 6/10 for adequate city use but limited highway refinement with the four-speed manual. Technology: 2/10 by current expectations. Safety: 3/10 because this pre-airbag subcompact lacks modern passive and active safety systems.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly centres on the Laser’s uncomplicated character and practical size. Well-maintained examples can feel light, easy to place and enjoyable at suburban speeds, while neglected cars can require substantial age-related restoration.

Owners generally appreciate the compact size and easy visibility
The hatchback layout is valued for everyday cargo flexibility
The manual drivetrain is considered simple but not especially refined on long trips
Buyers frequently stress the importance of checking rust and maintenance records
Enthusiasts value tidy, original examples more than neglected low-price cars

Best Cars in This Category

1986 Mazda 323
1986 Toyota Corolla
1986 Honda Civic
1986 Nissan Pulsar
1986 Hyundai Excel

Summary

The 1986 Ford Laser is best suited to buyers seeking an affordable classic subcompact, a simple weekend project or a nostalgic 1980s hatchback. Its appeal lies in compact practicality, Mazda-related engineering and uncomplicated front-wheel-drive manners, not luxury, speed or modern safety. A sound, rust-free example with documented maintenance can be an appealing period runabout, but buyers should budget for age-related repairs and choose condition over trim level.