Used 2021 Ford Escape for Sale nearAltoona, PA

Compare 2021 Ford Escape Trims

The 2021 Ford Escape offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to sportier AWD models, catering to various preferences and needs.

• Starting at $12,171
• Best MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 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: $13,644 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 828 listings
• View S FWD listings

SE FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded vehicle with added comfort features without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $14,709 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 2,559 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SE FWD listings

S AWD — "Who It's For"

The S AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability at an accessible price without extra frills.

• Avg. market price: $12,171 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 172 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View S AWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with all-wheel drive and a host of modern features.

• Avg. market price: $16,221 (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 standard features and comfort without going over budget.

• Avg. market price: $15,455 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 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 AWD experience with added luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $16,830 (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 in a compact SUV.

• Avg. market price: $19,345 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 1,723 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 AWD

At $12,171 avg market price — below the lineup median of $15,455 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse S AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — S FWD

The S FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 28/34 MPG.

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 2021 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 13.96% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,128 listings available, which suggests healthy inventory for used shoppers.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Ford Escape earns a 4/5 user rating and a 6.7/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

It’s a compact crossover aimed at buyers who want multiple powertrain options, easy-to-use technology, and a great ride quality. The trade-offs are clear, though: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the interior materials feel cheap.

The Escape’s value case is helped by its practical family-vehicle mission and its broad powertrain lineup, but it’s not the most compelling choice in a crowded segment. 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?

Owners rate it 4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Escape is described as a practical compact crossover with a strong emphasis on fuel efficiency and multiple powertrain choices. Its base turbocharged three-cylinder engine is said to be more than adequate, and the hybrid setup is noted for a smooth transition between electric and gasoline propulsion.

Ford also backs the Escape with a three-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the chassis tuning is described as sloppy, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Ford Escape?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing trims or powertrains. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior damage, and whether the equipment on the listing matches what you expect from the trim level.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Escape’s trim lineup includes S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. Base S models are the most stripped-down, with a 4.2-inch touchscreen, while the SE adds an 8-inch screen and the Titanium brings a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The SEL also gets dual-zone automatic climate control, which the base trim lacks.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are also offered, with the hybrid rated at 41 mpg combined in FWD form and the plug-in hybrid delivering 37 miles of electric range and 105 MPGe combined in electric mode.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard and includes automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.
• Infotainment: The Escape uses Sync 3, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot standard. The base model gets a 4.2-inch touchscreen, the SE upgrades to an 8-inch touchscreen with pinch-and-zoom capability, and the Titanium adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not included.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 1.5-liter engine is rated at 30 mpg combined, with 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The AWD version returns 28 mpg combined, while the 2.0-liter powertrain is rated at 26 mpg combined, with 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The hybrid reaches 41 mpg combined in FWD form, and the plug-in hybrid is rated at 105 MPGe combined in electric mode plus 40 mpg in hybrid mode.

Which 2021 Ford Escape trim should I buy?

The 2021 Ford Escape is offered in 4 trim levels: S, SE, SEL, Titanium.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, but it’s the most basic version and misses out on the larger touchscreen and richer cabin features found higher up the range.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen and keeps the Escape’s core strengths intact without pushing the price too high.
• SEL: Choose this if you want a more comfortable daily driver, since it adds dual-zone automatic climate control and can be paired with appearance upgrades.
• Titanium: This is the most upscale choice, with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio, and available premium appearance touches.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package adds more advanced driver-assistance features if you want them.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Ford Escape?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,128 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.96% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,615, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Ford Escape's resale value?

The current average of $15,615 sits slightly below last year's $18,149.

That price drop suggests the Escape has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you keep mileage reasonable and maintain the vehicle well, you may be better positioned when it’s time to trade or sell.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape safe?

The 2021 Ford Escape earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in frontal and side crash tests and four-star ratings in rollover crash tests.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard and includes automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. If you want more capability, Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.

One caveat is that IIHS gave the Escape only Acceptable and Marginal headlight ratings depending on trim level, so trim choice can affect real-world lighting performance.

Should I buy a 2021 Ford Escape or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.96% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 is largely unchanged from the redesign, but it adds new appearance packages, exterior colors, an available tow package, and slightly improved fuel economy for the base powertrain.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,599, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,615 average.
• It’s described as a high-tech, handsome, and surprisingly athletic small SUV.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year pricing context and the same basic Escape formula, the 2021 is the straightforward pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value play.

How does the 2021 Ford Escape compare to the 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Ford Escape:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Great ride quality, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Underwhelming base engine, Interior materials feel cheap.

2021 Toyota RAV4:

• Pros: Quiet cabin, Plenty of cargo space, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Sluggish touchscreen response.

Our experts score the 2021 Ford Escape 6.7/10 and the 2021 Toyota RAV4 7.3/10. The Escape leans on powertrain variety and user-friendly tech, while the RAV4 counters with a quieter cabin, more cargo space, and stronger safety credentials. If you care most about value and flexibility, the Escape has appeal; if you want the more polished all-around package, the RAV4 has the edge.

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.