Used 2020 Ford Escape for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2020 Ford Escape Trims in Columbia, SC

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 $14,895
• 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 essential features without paying for extras. It's a great entry-level option.

• Avg. market price: $17,883 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 72 listings
• View S FWD listings

S AWD — "Who It's For"

The S AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag. It's ideal for those in variable weather conditions.

• Avg. market price: $17,883 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 12 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. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $14,895 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 191 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SE FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of features and all-wheel drive capability. It's a solid choice for families.

• Avg. market price: $17,883 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 176 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SE AWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is the pick for shoppers who want added luxury features without going to the top tier. It's a great mid-range option.

• Avg. market price: $19,266 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 65 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features combined with all-wheel drive. It's perfect for those who need versatility.

• Avg. market price: $17,883 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 101 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SEL AWD listings

Titanium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Titanium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most advanced features and performance. It's ideal for luxury seekers.

• Avg. market price: $18,685 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 102 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE FWD

With 191 active listings, the SE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE FWD

At $14,895 avg market price — below the lineup median of $17,883 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — S FWD

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

Browse S FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2020 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 8.56% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 3,566 listings available, you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2020 Ford Escape a good car?

Generally — the 2020 Ford Escape earns a 4.42/5 user rating and an 8.00/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its smooth driving experience, numerous features, and safety technology. The review summary also points to strong acceleration and comfort, which fit the Escape’s modern, easy-to-live-with character.

The main trade-offs are limited cargo space and some complaints about space for taller occupants, plus a noisy engine under acceleration. That lines up with the Escape’s role as a small SUV that leans more toward comfort, tech, and polish than maximum utility.

With 32.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Ford Escape reliable?

Owners rate it 4.42/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with repeated praise for the Escape’s smooth driving manners and safety technology. That kind of feedback usually matters most when you want a used SUV you can count on day to day.

The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Escape’s quality, performance, and commuter-friendly character, which supports the case for steady everyday dependability. Ford’s standard advanced safety equipment and broad powertrain lineup add to the sense that this is a well-rounded long-term choice.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that condition can vary, so a careful inspection matters more than the badge alone.

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

At 74.5% 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 you are considering a higher-mileage example or one with visible cosmetic wear. Focus on signs of prior bodywork, uneven panel gaps, tire wear, and any evidence that the cabin or electronics have been stressed.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S is the most stripped-down version, with a 4.2-inch instrument-panel screen and a 4.2-inch center screen, while the SE adds the 8-inch Sync 3 system, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat. CarGurus recommends the SE as the best-value choice because it adds the features most shoppers will notice every day.
• Powertrain: The Escape offers four engine options, including a 180-horsepower 3-cylinder, a 250-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder, a 198-horsepower hybrid setup, and a plug-in hybrid variant. The turbo engine brings brisk acceleration, while the hybrid setup is the most efficient.
• 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, which is a major strength.
• 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 for CarPlay functionality.
• Fuel efficiency: The non-Sport hybrid returns 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined. The SE Sport returns 43/37/40, the 1.5-liter turbo returns 27/33/30 combined, the AWD version of that engine 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 feels basic with its small screens and simpler cabin presentation. It makes sense only if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable giving up the nicer tech and comfort upgrades.
• SE: This is the best-value trim. It adds the 8-inch Sync 3 screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat, which makes it the most balanced choice for most shoppers.
• SE Sport: This trim swaps in the hybrid drivetrain and adds sportier visual touches plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. It suits you if efficiency matters and you want a more distinctive look.
• SEL: This trim adds more convenience and comfort features, including a hands-free power liftgate, memory for the driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and upgraded exterior details. It is a good fit if you want a more upscale daily driver.
• Titanium: This is the most luxurious version, with premium materials, a larger wheel package, a premium audio system, and available top-end equipment. It is the right pick if you want the most upscale Escape and are willing to pay for it.

The standard safety package is strong across the lineup, so you do not need to move up trims just to get core driver-assistance features.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,566 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.56% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,072, 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 $15,251 sits slightly below last year's $16,678.

That decline suggests the Escape has become more affordable for buyers, which can make it a tougher vehicle for sellers to command top dollar right now. If you are planning to sell later, the current pricing trend means you should expect value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim.

The good news is that the Escape still has broad appeal thanks to its mix of tech, safety, and powertrain variety. That helps support demand, especially for well-kept examples with desirable equipment.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.42/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Ford Escape safe?

The 2020 Ford Escape 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 is a strong standard safety list, especially for a compact SUV.

The main safety takeaway is that you get a lot of driver-assistance technology even on the base trim, so safety does not depend on moving up the lineup. That makes the Escape especially appealing if you want a used SUV with a strong safety foundation.

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:

• 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.56% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.42/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• Ford gave the redesigned Escape more car-like styling and a stronger emphasis on fuel efficiency.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,060, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $15,251 average.
• It adds new appearance packages, exterior colors, an available tow package, and slightly better base-engine fuel economy.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the smarter buy because it already delivers the redesigned Escape’s tech, safety, and powertrain variety at a lower average price. If you are willing to pay more for a slightly newer example with a few incremental updates, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative. For most shoppers, the 2020 is the primary path, while the 2021 makes sense if you are price-flexible and want the newest version available.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.