Used 2021 Ford Escape for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Ford Escape Trims in Chicago, IL

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

• Starting at $12,920
• 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: $16,100 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 83 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 popular features at an accessible price.

• Avg. market price: $12,920 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 246 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 sporty performance and all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $16,977 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 18 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 all-wheel drive and a great feature set without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $13,894 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 311 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 luxury and practicality without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $16,813 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 56 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance and advanced features in a versatile package.

• Avg. market price: $18,156 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 184 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 for adventurous driving.

• Avg. market price: $20,234 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 171 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE AWD

With 311 active listings, the SE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE FWD

At $12,920 avg market price — below the lineup median of $16,813 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — S FWD

The S FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 28 MPG city and 34 MPG highway.

Browse S FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 13.71% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,389 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection to compare.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Ford Escape earns a 4/5 from users and a 6.67/10 from expert testing. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

It fits buyers who want a practical compact crossover from a mainstream brand, with multiple powertrain options, a comfortable ride, and easy-to-use technology. The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the interior materials feel cheap.

One market signal worth noting is that 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?

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

The Escape’s reliability case is helped by its straightforward mainstream design and the fact that Ford carried the 2021 model forward with only minimal changes. Its powertrain lineup is broad, and the available hybrid and plug-in hybrid options add flexibility for different ownership needs.

Ford also says the base warranty includes three years or 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a cheap purchase price can be offset by wear on a vehicle that may have been used as a daily commuter or family hauler.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re looking at a higher-mileage example or one with multiple owners. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the cabin and controls show the kind of wear that can hint at harder use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S trim is the most basic version, while the SE, SEL, and Titanium add more equipment and a more upscale feel. Base-trim shoppers should pay close attention to the feature gaps, especially if you want more comfort and convenience equipment.
• Powertrain: You can choose from a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, a 2.0-liter turbo-four, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid. The base engine is the least powerful, while the 2.0-liter brings the strongest output and the hybrid options emphasize efficiency.
• 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. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package 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 move up 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, or 28 mpg combined with AWD. The 2.0-liter AWD model is rated at 26 mpg combined. The hybrid returns 41 mpg combined with FWD and 40 mpg combined with AWD, while the plug-in hybrid is 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, and Titanium.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and can live with the most basic equipment. It gets the smaller 4.2-inch touchscreen, so it’s best if you care more about value than features.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen and more everyday convenience without pushing you into the pricier upper trims.
• SEL: This is the better pick if you want a more comfortable cabin, since it unlocks dual-zone automatic climate control and can be paired with appearance upgrades.
• Titanium: This is the most upscale gas trim, adding the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system for buyers who want the most premium feel.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, but the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ bundle is the trim-level upgrade to look for if you want more advanced driver assistance.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and deal activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,389 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.71% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,920, 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 $15,920 sits slightly below last year's $18,451.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point. For a future seller, it also means you should be realistic about how much value the Escape may retain if you plan to trade it in within a few years.

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. If you want more advanced assistance, the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package 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.

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:

• 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.71% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model carries forward the redesigned Escape formula with only minimal changes, including updated appearance packages, an available tow package, and slightly improved fuel economy for the base powertrain.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $15,037, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,920 average.
• It was described as modern and well-equipped, with strong tech and standard advanced safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year pricing context and a broadly unchanged vehicle, the 2021 is the cleaner choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value play as long as you find one in good condition.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.