Used 2020 Ford Escape for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

Compare 2020 Ford Escape Trims in San Diego, CA

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 $14,285
• 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: $14,865 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 41 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 colder climates.

• Avg. market price: $16,070 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 7 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 modern features without breaking the bank. It's the most popular trim.

• Avg. market price: $14,285 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 94 listings
• View SE FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want added traction and comfort features without a significant price increase. It's a solid choice for families.

• Avg. market price: $16,070 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 91 listings
• View SE AWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a touch of luxury and advanced tech without going for the top trim. It's a great balance of features and price.

• Avg. market price: $17,340 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 32 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance with all-wheel drive and premium features. It's perfect for those who enjoy driving.

• Avg. market price: $16,295 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 58 listings
• 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 in the lineup. It's ideal for those seeking a premium experience.

• Avg. market price: $16,070 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 57 listings
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE FWD

With 94 active listings, the SE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE FWD

At $14,285 avg market price — below the lineup median of $16,070 — 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/MPGe.

Browse S FWD listings

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

How much does the 2020 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 10.01% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,660 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable range of choices.

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. 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 fits the Escape’s broader appeal as a modern, well-equipped compact SUV.

The main trade-offs are limited cargo space and some complaints about space for taller occupants, plus a noisy engine under acceleration. Ford’s own positioning and the test-drive notes frame it as a polished small SUV with multiple powertrain options, so it makes the most sense if you want flexibility and a more upscale feel rather than maximum utility. Good and great deals account for 31.3% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Ford Escape reliable?

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

The owner summary points to a vehicle that many drivers find smooth, comfortable, and safety-focused, with enough feature content to feel well sorted in daily use. It also suggests the Escape is the kind of SUV many owners feel they can count on over time.

The test-drive notes reinforce that dependable impression by describing the Escape as a high-tech, handsome, and surprisingly athletic small SUV. Ford also includes a maintenance perk in the ownership discussion by emphasizing strong value in the recommended trim, which helps reduce the sting of routine upkeep.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a well-equipped Escape can hide wear-and-tear issues if you skip a careful inspection.

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

At 73.7% 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 body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the cabin and electronics still feel consistent with the mileage and asking price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S comes with a 4.2-inch instrument-panel screen, a 4.2-inch center screen, manually adjustable front seats, and steel wheels, while the SE adds an 8-inch Sync 3 screen, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat. The SE is the best-value trim because it adds the features most shoppers will notice every day.
• Powertrain: The Escape offers four engine options, including a 3-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, a 2.5-liter hybrid setup with 198 horsepower, and a plug-in hybrid variant. The conventional engines use an 8-speed automatic, while the hybrids use a CVT.
• 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 strong point for value shoppers.
• 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 setup is a major reason to favor the SE over the S.
• 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 engine 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 keeps things basic with the small screens and simpler cabin setup. It makes sense only if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable giving up the nicer everyday 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. It is the trim most shoppers should start with.
• SE Sport: This trim adds blacked-out styling touches, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a hybrid drivetrain. It suits you if you want the hybrid setup and a sportier look.
• SEL: This trim adds fog lamps, roof racks, a hands-free power liftgate, memory for the driver’s seat, synthetic upholstery, sport bucket seats, and a heated steering wheel. It is the right step up if you want more convenience and comfort features.
• Titanium: This is the most premium version, with larger wheels, LED fog lamps, acoustic-laminated glass, a dual-panel moonroof, wood trim, leather upholstery, and the B&O audio system. It suits you if you want the most upscale Escape experience.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, so even the base trim gets a strong safety package.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 31.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,660 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.01% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,750, 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 $14,750 sits slightly below last year's $16,391.

That decline suggests the Escape has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means sellers may need to price competitively to move inventory. If you own one, the current market favors realistic pricing over waiting for a rebound.

The year-round range also shows that values have stayed fairly tight, which can help reduce volatility for future sellers. 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 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 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 standard equipment list is a major strength, especially because it comes on the base trim.

The safety story is especially strong for shoppers who want advanced driver assistance without moving up the lineup. The main caveat is that the Escape has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), so the IIHS result is the clearest crash-test signal here.

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:

• 31.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.01% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 model stands out for its multiple powertrain options and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $15,720, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $14,750 average.
• It mainly adds new appearance packages, exterior colors, an available tow package, and slightly better fuel economy.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the stronger buy because it already delivers the core Escape formula at a lower average price. If you prefer a slightly newer model and do not mind paying more, the 2021 is the safer alternative for buyers who want a familiar, lightly updated version of the same SUV.

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 styling and standard safety tech. The CR-V counters with stronger fuel economy and good handling, but its older-feeling tech and cheaper-feeling cabin materials make it less appealing if you want a more polished daily driver.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.