Used 2021 Ford Escape for Sale nearDurham, NC

Compare 2021 Ford Escape Trims in Durham, NC

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 $11,743
• 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: $14,184 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 66 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: $13,198 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 183 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 at an affordable price without extra frills.

• Avg. market price: $14,124 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 15 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 blend of features and all-wheel drive without breaking the bank. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $11,743 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 191 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 more luxurious feel with added tech features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $16,574 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 62 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped vehicle with all-wheel drive and advanced safety features.

• Avg. market price: $12,549 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 109 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: $14,124 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 102 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE AWD

With 191 active listings, the SE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE AWD

At $11,743 avg market price — below the lineup median of $14,124 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse SE AWD 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 13.30% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,379 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and powertrains.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape a good car?

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

It’s a practical compact crossover 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.

If you want a mainstream small SUV that emphasizes everyday usability and fuel-efficiency-minded choices, the Escape fits that brief well. 35.8% 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 largely unchanged from the redesigned 2020 model, which can be a plus if you want a familiar formula rather than a first-year redesign. Its powertrains are broad and practical, and the expert notes point to a smooth transition between electric and gasoline propulsion in the hybrid.

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 the Escape’s basic driving dynamics and cabin materials may feel less polished than rivals over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not universal. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the condition of the powertrain, electronics, and interior materials. If you’re comparing trims, pay close attention to which features are standard versus optional so you don’t overpay for equipment you expected to be included.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims differ meaningfully in equipment. Base S models are the most stripped-down, while the SEL adds dual-zone automatic climate control and higher trims bring more upscale touches such as ambient lighting and upgraded appearance packages.
• 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 delivers the strongest gas-only output and the hybrid options prioritize 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. 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 upgrades 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 returns 26 mpg combined. The hybrid is rated at 41 mpg combined with FWD and 40 mpg combined with AWD, while the plug-in hybrid delivers 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’s the most basic version and uses the smaller 4.2-inch touchscreen. It makes sense only if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable with a simpler feature set.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen with pinch-and-zoom capability and a more complete everyday equipment mix without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• SEL: This trim is the better choice if you want more comfort and a more upscale feel, including dual-zone automatic climate control and available appearance upgrades.
• Titanium: This is the most premium gas trim, adding the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. It’s the pick if you want the most tech-rich Escape.

The safety package is strongest when you move beyond the base setup, since Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control, lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,379 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,909, 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 $15,909 sits slightly below last year's $18,350.

That price decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim choice rather than broad market momentum alone.

Well-equipped trims and efficient powertrains should be easier to market later than a bare-bones example. 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. 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 headlight ratings vary by trim level, ranging from Acceptable to Marginal, so you should check the specific trim you’re considering.

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:

• 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.30% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model keeps the redesigned Escape formula and adds only modest updates, which makes it a familiar, well-rounded choice.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,928, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,909 average.
• It was described as raising the bar for the segment with impressive tech, performance, and cabin quality.

The bottom line: If you want the newer year with a softer market and broad trim availability, the 2021 is the cleaner pick. If your priority is saving money and you’re comfortable with the earlier redesign year, the 2020 is the better value play.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.