Used 2020 Ford Escape for Sale nearCharlotte, NC

Compare 2020 Ford Escape Trims in Charlotte, NC

The 2020 Ford Escape offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $10,995
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: SE FWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

S FWD — "Who It's For"

The S FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $10,995 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 74 listings
• View S FWD listings

S AWD — "Who It's For"

The S AWD is the choice for those seeking all-wheel drive at an affordable price, though availability is limited.

• Avg. market price: $14,695 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 15 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View S AWD listings

SE FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded vehicle with popular features at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $14,068 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 207 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SE FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is ideal for buyers looking for sporty performance and all-wheel drive without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $15,466 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 194 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SE AWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is for those who want a standard trim with added comfort and tech features without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $14,728 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 75 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is perfect for shoppers wanting luxury features and all-wheel drive at a competitive price.

• Avg. market price: $11,794 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 95 listings
• View SEL AWD listings

Titanium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Titanium AWD is for buyers seeking a premium experience with advanced features and robust performance.

• Avg. market price: $15,199 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 109 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE FWD

With 207 active listings, the SE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — S FWD

At $10,995 avg market price — below the lineup median of $14,695 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse S FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — S FWD

The S FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 27/33 MPG/MPGe.

Browse S FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2020 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 9.93% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,598 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Ford Escape a good car?

Generally — the 2020 Ford Escape earns a 4.4/5 user rating and an 8.00/10 expert rating, which points to broad appeal for shoppers who want a compact SUV with more than the basics. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its smooth driving experience, numerous features, and safety technology, and many also like its acceleration and comfort. The trade-offs are the limited space for taller occupants, a noisy engine under acceleration, and some mixed feedback on the gearshift design and wireless charging compatibility. In use, that makes it a strong fit if you want a modern-feeling small SUV with a polished cabin and a well-equipped feature set, but less ideal if you need maximum room or want the quietest powertrain.

The market also looks reasonably supportive, with 32.7% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2020 Ford Escape reliable?

Owners rate it 4.4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owners describe it as dependable in everyday use, with a reputation for smooth, trouble-free driving and features that make it easy to count on. The expert notes also emphasize that Ford built this Escape to feel like a more refined, high-tech compact SUV, which supports confidence in day-to-day ownership. Ford’s standard advanced safety and driver-assistance equipment adds another layer of reassurance for long-term use.

For used buyers, the main ownership risk is less about the concept and more about finding a well-kept example with no hidden wear or neglected maintenance.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Ford Escape?

At 73.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle-history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on condition details that matter in a compact SUV: cabin wear, electronics, and how the vehicle drives under acceleration and at highway speeds. If you need more space, pay close attention to rear-seat room and cargo practicality before you commit.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S comes with 17-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, a 4.2-inch instrument-panel screen, manually adjustable front seats, and a small 4.2-inch center screen, while the SE adds 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, automatic climate control, heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and an 8-inch Sync 3 system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. CarGurus recommends the SE as the best value because it adds the features most shoppers will notice every day.
• Powertrain: The Escape offers four engine options, including a 180-horsepower 3-cylinder engine standard in the S, SE, and SEL, a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder on higher trims, and hybrid and plug-in hybrid setups. The non-Sport hybrid is the most efficient version at 44 mpg city, 37 highway, 41 combined.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard and includes forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver drowsiness monitor. The base trim still gets the full suite of driver-assistance features.
• Infotainment: The base trim uses a 4.2-inch screen, while the SE upgrades to an 8-inch Sync 3 system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also supports over-the-air updates.
• Fuel efficiency: The non-Sport hybrid returns 44 mpg city, 37 highway, 41 combined. The SE Sport returns 43/37/40, the 1.5-liter turbo engine returns 27/33/30 combined, the AWD version returns 26/31/26, and the 2.0-liter turbo with AWD returns 23/31/26.

Which 2020 Ford Escape trim should I buy?

The 2020 Ford Escape is offered in 5 trim levels: S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, Titanium.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, but it comes with the smallest screen and the most basic cabin setup, so it makes sense mainly if you want the lowest starting price and can live without the nicer convenience features.
• SE: This is the best-value trim because it adds the 8-inch Sync 3 screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• SE Sport: This trim adds a sportier look and a hybrid drivetrain, so it suits you if efficiency matters and you want a more distinctive appearance.
• SEL: This trim adds more comfort and convenience, including a hands-free power liftgate, memory seating, a heated steering wheel, and upgraded wheels, making it a good step up if you want more everyday polish.
• Titanium: This is the most premium version, with unique wheels, a dual-panel moonroof, premium audio, leather seating, and quieter-cabin touches, so it fits you best if you want the most upscale Escape.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, so you do not need to move up a trim just to get the core safety suite.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Ford Escape?

This looks like a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing softness to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,598 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.93% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,722, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Ford Escape's resale value?

The current average of $14,722 sits slightly below last year's $16,346.

That softer pricing suggests the Escape has already moved through a meaningful part of its depreciation curve, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If you choose a well-equipped trim and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you should be better positioned when it comes time to sell. The current market also shows that buyers still respond to the Escape’s mix of features and value, which helps support demand.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.4/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Ford Escape safe?

The 2020 Ford Escape has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it earned the best overall score of Good from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in all phases of testing.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard, and it includes forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver drowsiness monitor. That means you get a broad set of driver aids even on the base trim. The main safety caveat is that the vehicle has no NHTSA crash-test result to cite here, so the IIHS result is the key benchmark.

Should I buy a 2020 Ford Escape or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.93% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 model stands out for its multiple powertrain options, stylish design, and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $15,663, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,722 average.
• It keeps the same trim lineup and adds only minor updates.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the stronger buy because it combines lower average pricing with broad feature content and strong owner satisfaction. If you prefer a slightly newer model and do not mind paying more, the 2021 is the safer fallback, but it does not bring a major upgrade.

How does the 2020 Ford Escape compare to the 2020 Honda CR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2020 Ford Escape:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Stylish design, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Not much cargo space.

2020 Honda CR-V:

• Pros: Great handling, Fuel-efficient.
• Cons: Outdated technology, Interior materials feel cheap.

Our experts score the 2020 Ford Escape 8/10 and the 2020 Honda CR-V 7.5/10. The Escape looks like the more modern and better-equipped choice, especially if you value multiple powertrain options and standard safety tech. The CR-V counters with stronger fuel economy and better handling, but its older-feeling technology and cheaper interior materials hold it back.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.