Used 2021 Ford Escape for Sale nearKnoxville, TN

Compare 2021 Ford Escape Trims in Knoxville, TN

The 2021 Ford Escape offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more feature-rich models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $15,238
• Best MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 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: $15,238 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 85 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 stepping up to higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $15,238 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 202 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 without a hefty price tag. It's a practical choice for varied weather conditions.

• Avg. market price: $15,238 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 14 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 balance of comfort and capability without going for the top trims.

• Avg. market price: $15,238 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 196 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 touch of luxury without the highest price tag. It offers premium features at a reasonable cost.

• Avg. market price: $15,238 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 74 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want advanced features and all-wheel drive without going for the top-tier model.

• Avg. market price: $15,238 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 119 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 the most features and luxury in their Escape. It's designed for those who prioritize comfort and technology.

• Avg. market price: $15,238 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 121 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE FWD

With 202 active listings, the SE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — S FWD

At $15,238 avg market price — below the lineup median of $15,238 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse S FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — S FWD

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

Browse S FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 12.86% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,461 listings available, which suggests 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 6.67/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

It’s a compact crossover that emphasizes fuel efficiency, multiple powertrain choices, and easy-to-use technology, while also serving as a practical option for Ford shoppers who want a replacement for older sedan or hatchback models. The trade-offs are clear in the expert notes: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the interior materials feel cheap.

With 32.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively rather than rush.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?

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

The 2021 Escape’s appeal comes from its broad powertrain lineup and its focus on efficiency, which can make it feel like a sensible long-term choice if you want a compact crossover that’s easy to live with. The expert notes also point to a smooth transition between electric and gasoline propulsion in the hybrid, which supports the idea that the powertrain lineup is a strength.

Ford also includes a three-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which helps cushion early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the cheaper-feeling cabin and base-engine compromises may matter more as mileage adds up.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with optional equipment. Focus on overall condition, cabin wear, and whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re looking at.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims carry different equipment levels, and the base S is the most stripped-down version. You’ll want to pay close attention to whether the cabin upgrades and convenience features you expect are present, since the interior materials are described as low-rent and the top Titanium still does not get standard leather upholstery.
• 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 option, while the 2.0-liter brings the strongest gas-only output and is AWD-only.
• 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 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, and it’s the trim to consider only if you want the lowest starting price and can live with the smallest 4.2-inch touchscreen. It still includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, but it’s the most basic way into the lineup.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen with pinch-and-zoom capability and SiriusXM satellite radio. If you want a more usable daily setup without jumping too far up the price ladder, this is the trim to target.
• SEL: This trim is the one to look at if you want more comfort and a better-equipped cabin, since it unlocks dual-zone automatic climate control. It also gets appearance-package options that add more visual polish.
• Titanium: This is the most upscale gas trim, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. It’s the right pick if you want the most premium tech and convenience features in the lineup.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, but the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ bundle adds the most advanced driver-assistance features.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,461 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.86% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,327, 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 $16,327 sits slightly below last year's $18,737.

That drop 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 your resale outcome will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim desirability rather than broad market momentum alone.

Because the price range has softened, a well-kept example with the right equipment should be easier to move than a neglected one. 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 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 to keep in mind is that IIHS gave the Escape only Acceptable and Marginal headlight ratings depending on trim level, so lighting performance varies by configuration.

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:

• 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.86% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model adds new appearance packages, an available tow package, and slightly improved fuel economy for the base powertrain.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $15,369, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,327 average.
• It offers a stylish design and standard advanced safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year pricing trend, broader inventory, and the small updates Ford made for 2021, this is the better default choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still brings many of the Escape’s core strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.