Used 2020 Ford Escape for Sale near North Carolina

Compare 2020 Ford Escape Trims

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

• Starting at $12,659
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Most Popular: SE AWD

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: $12,659 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 828 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, making it a practical choice.

• Avg. market price: $12,847 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 172 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-equipped vehicle with a good balance of features and price.

• Avg. market price: $13,191 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 2,559 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 sporty features and all-wheel drive, making it the most popular choice.

• Avg. market price: $14,582 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 3,553 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 a blend of comfort and technology without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $14,527 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 690 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with added luxury features, perfect for daily driving.

• Avg. market price: $16,111 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 1,417 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 premium features and performance, ideal for adventurous drivers.

• Avg. market price: $16,928 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 1,724 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE AWD

With 3,553 active listings, the SE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — S FWD

At $12,659 avg market price — below the lineup median of $14,527 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse S FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — S FWD

The S FWD offers the best fuel economy 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 10.36% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,499 listings available, which gives you a solid 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 8/10 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, and many also like its acceleration and comfort. The overview also points to a stylish design, premium-feeling cabin, and multiple powertrain options, which help it fit buyers who want more substance than a typical compact crossover.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: some owners mention limited space for taller people, a noisy engine under acceleration, and mixed feelings about the gearshift design and wireless charging compatibility. The expert review also notes that cargo space is not a strong point.

For you, that means the Escape makes the most sense if you want a compact SUV with a polished feel, strong tech, and a broader powertrain lineup than many rivals. It also shows 33.5% good and great deals, which suggests there are worthwhile listings to shop.

Is the 2020 Ford Escape reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that many drivers feel good about living with over time, especially because it is described as smooth, comfortable, and safety-focused. That kind of feedback usually lines up with a car you can count on for everyday use, even if some owners mention a few annoyances.

The expert review also emphasizes that the Escape delivers a level of quality and performance that elevates what a small SUV can be, and it highlights the model’s strong safety technology. Ford also includes the first scheduled maintenance visit as part of the ownership experience, which is a nice ownership perk.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that you should pay close attention to condition and maintenance history, especially on higher-mileage examples.

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

At 71% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and make sure any prior damage is fully understood before you move forward. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important here, since you want to confirm that the cabin, electronics, and safety systems all work as expected. Focus on overall condition, because the model’s appeal depends heavily on its tech, comfort, and polished feel.

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 center-console screen, while the SE adds an 8-inch Sync 3 system, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat. The SE is 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 lineup gives you a wide range of efficiency and performance choices.
• 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.
• 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 tech upgrade is one of the clearest reasons to move beyond the base model.
• 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, and with AWD it returns 26/31/26. 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 least expensive way into the Escape, but it comes with the smallest screen and the most basic cabin setup. It still includes Ford Co-Pilot360, so you are not giving up the core safety package.
• 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. If you want the smartest balance of price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• SE Sport: This trim adds sporty styling touches, a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a hybrid drivetrain. It makes sense if you want efficiency and a more distinctive look.
• SEL: This trim adds fog lamps, black roof racks, 18-inch wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, memory for the driver’s seat, synthetic upholstery, sport bucket seats, and a heated steering wheel. It suits you if you want more convenience and a more upscale feel.
• Titanium: This is the most premium version, with 19-inch wheels, LED fog lamps, acoustic-laminated glass, a dual-panel moonroof, wood trim, a two-tone leather interior, and the premium B&O audio system. It is the right pick if you want the most luxury-oriented Escape.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, so even the base trim gives you a strong safety foundation.

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

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

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,499 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.36% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,599, 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 $14,599 sits slightly below last year's $16,285.

That price movement suggests the Escape has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can be helpful if you are buying now and planning to sell later. A lower entry price can reduce the amount of value you stand to lose over your ownership period.

If the market stays steady, a well-kept Escape with desirable equipment should remain easier to move than a stripped or neglected example. Strong feature content and broad shopper appeal can help support future 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 strong safety package even on the base trim.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.36% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 redesign brought more car-like styling, stronger fuel-efficiency focus, and a broader powertrain lineup.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $15,615, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,599 average.
• It adds only minor updates, including new appearance packages, exterior colors, an available tow package, and slightly improved fuel economy.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the stronger buy because it already has the redesign, the lower average price, and a broad feature set. If you are willing to pay more for a slightly newer model with only modest changes, the 2021 is a reasonable alternative, but it is not a major step up.

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 stands out if you want more powertrain variety, a more stylish design, and standard advanced safety features. The CR-V counters with better fuel economy and strong handling, but its older-feeling tech and cheaper-feeling interior materials may matter more if you value cabin polish.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.