Used 2021 Ford Escape for Sale nearMadison, WI

Compare 2021 Ford Escape Trims

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

• Starting at $12,930
• 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: $14,504 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 832 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: $15,031 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 2,636 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: $12,930 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 168 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 tech features.

• Avg. market price: $16,684 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 3,635 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 over budget.

• Avg. market price: $16,143 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 697 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with premium features and all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $17,439 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 1,487 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 top-tier luxury and performance in a compact SUV.

• Avg. market price: $19,871 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 1,688 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE AWD

With 3,635 active listings, the SE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — S AWD

At $12,930 avg market price — below the lineup median of $16,143 — 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/MPGe.

Browse S FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 13.18% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,441 listings available, which gives you a solid 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 stands out as a compact crossover with multiple powertrain options, great ride quality, and easy-to-use technology. It also makes sense if you want a Ford SUV that can serve as a practical replacement for a sedan or hatchback.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the interior materials feel cheap. Those compromises matter most if you care more about cabin polish than versatility.

With 33.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have 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 positioned as a mainstream compact crossover with a strong emphasis on efficiency and everyday usability. Its powertrain lineup gives you flexibility, and the expert data points to a smooth transition between electric and gasoline propulsion in the hybrid setup.

Ford also backs it with a three-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That coverage helps, but you should still pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition because long-term ownership costs can rise if the vehicle has been neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, since accident-free status is not guaranteed on every listing. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with optional equipment. Focus on overall condition, interior wear, and whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re looking at.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim has the most limited equipment, including the smallest touchscreen and fewer comfort features, while higher trims add more upscale touches and convenience items.
• 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, with efficiency varying widely by setup.
• 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 models get a 4.2-inch touchscreen, while SE models move to an 8-inch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 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 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, and it makes the most sense if you want the lowest starting price and can live with the smallest touchscreen and the least upscale cabin presentation.
• 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 highest price tier.
• SEL: This trim is the better pick if you want more comfort and a more premium feel, including dual-zone automatic climate control and available 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.

The safety package is strongest when you add Co-Pilot360 Assist+ on the trims where it’s available.

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

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

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,441 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.18% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,256, 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 $16,256 sits slightly below last year's $18,723.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. If you plan to sell later, the current pricing gives you a clearer benchmark for what the market is willing to pay today.

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. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.

Headlights are the main caveat, since IIHS gave them only Acceptable or Marginal 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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.18% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds new appearance packages, an available tow package, and slightly improved fuel economy for the base powertrain.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $15,352, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $16,256 average.
• It offers a stylish design and standard advanced safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the better current-market balance of price, inventory, and updated equipment, the 2021 is the cleaner choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still brings many of the same core strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.