Used 2021 Ford Escape for Sale near California

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 14.05% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,278 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

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 stands out as a compact crossover SUV with multiple powertrain options, a comfortable ride, and easy-to-use technology. For buyers who want a practical small SUV from a major mainstream brand, its broad appeal is part of the draw.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the interior materials feel cheap. Even so, it remains a sensible choice if you want everyday usability and a refined ride rather than a flashy redesign.

34.2% 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 2021 Escape is described as a familiar, well-rounded crossover that carries forward its 2020 redesign with only minimal changes. Its powertrain lineup and mainstream positioning point to a vehicle built for broad everyday use rather than novelty.

On the performance side, the base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder is described as more than adequate, and the hybrid setup is noted for its smooth transition between electric and gasoline propulsion. Ford also backs it 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 risk is that a well-used example may show the effects of average materials and chassis tuning rather than major mechanical weakness.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing higher-mileage examples. Focus on overall condition, trim-specific equipment, and whether the features you want are actually present on the car you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims carry different equipment levels, and the base model is notably sparse compared with higher trims. The interior materials are described as low-rent, and you need to move up to the SEL trim for dual-zone automatic climate control.
• Powertrain: You can choose from a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft, or hybrid and plug-in hybrid setups with 200 hp total system output. The base engine is efficient, while the hybrid and plug-in hybrid emphasize fuel savings.
• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot360 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: Base S models get a 4.2-inch touchscreen, while SE models upgrade to an 8-inch screen with pinch-and-zoom capability. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot are standard, but wireless smartphone integration is not offered.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 1.5-liter engine is rated at 30 mpg combined, 28 mpg city, and 34 mpg highway. The AWD version returns 28 mpg combined, 26 mpg city, and 31 mpg highway, while the 2.0-liter AWD model is rated at 26 mpg combined, 23 mpg city, and 31 mpg highway. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are more efficient, with the plug-in hybrid rated at 105 MPGe combined in electric mode and 37 miles of electric range.

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 comes with the smallest 4.2-inch touchscreen and the least upscale cabin presentation. It makes sense only if you want the lowest starting point and are comfortable giving up convenience features.
• SE: This is the best-value trim because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen with pinch-and-zoom capability and SiriusXM satellite radio while staying below the higher trims. If you want the most balanced mix of price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• SEL: This trim is the better choice if you want a more comfortable daily driver, since it adds dual-zone automatic climate control and can be paired with appearance upgrades. It suits you if cabin comfort matters more than keeping the price as low as possible.
• Titanium: This is the most upscale gas trim, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Choose it if you want the most premium tech and audio setup in the lineup.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, while Co-Pilot360 Assist+ remains optional.

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

The market looks moderately favorable for selective buyers.

• Deal availability: 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,278 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.05% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,663, 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 $15,663 sits slightly below last year's $18,225.

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 purchase near the current average or below it, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell.

The model’s broad appeal and solid owner satisfaction can help support demand in the used market. Well-equipped examples in good condition should be easier to move than neglected ones.

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 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 the standard driver-assistance suite, and it 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.

IIHS also notes that headlights vary by trim, with only “Acceptable” and “Marginal” ratings depending on the version you choose.

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:

• 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.05% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model carries forward the 2020 redesign with only minimal changes, including new appearance packages, an available tow package, and slightly improved fuel economy for the base powertrain.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,722, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,663 average.
• It aims to deliver more than the basics with impressive tech, performance, and cabin quality.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year pricing context and a broad selection of listings, the 2021 is the cleaner pick. If your priority is saving money upfront, the 2020 is the better value-oriented alternative.

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 gives you more powertrain variety and easier tech, while the RAV4 counters with a quieter cabin, more cargo space, and stronger safety credentials. If you care most about value and drivetrain choice, the Escape has appeal; if you want the more polished all-around package, the RAV4 is the stronger pick.

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.