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 $12,106
• 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: $13,534 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 786 listings
• View S FWD listings

SE FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want more features without a significant price jump from the base model.

• Avg. market price: $14,597 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 2,534 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 paying a premium for it.

• Avg. market price: $12,106 (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 features.

• Avg. market price: $15,485 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 3,448 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 well-rounded vehicle with a balance of features and price.

• Avg. market price: $15,205 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 641 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: $15,982 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 1,418 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 features and performance in a compact SUV.

• Avg. market price: $18,515 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 1,626 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE AWD

With 3,448 active listings, the SE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — S AWD

At $12,106 avg market price — below the lineup median of $15,205 — 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 at 28/34 MPG.

Browse S FWD listings

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

How much does the 2021 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 13.46% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,105 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 user rating and a 6.7/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

It fits best if you want a practical compact crossover with multiple powertrain options, easy-to-use technology, and a ride quality that our experts describe as great. The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the interior materials feel cheap.

The Escape’s value case is helped by its decent passenger space and broad powertrain lineup, but our experts also note that it doesn’t make a compelling enough case over rivals. Good and great deals account for 34.9% of listings, 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 presented as a familiar, largely unchanged model year after the 2020 redesign, which can be reassuring if you want a known quantity rather than a fresh redesign. Our experts also describe the base three-cylinder engine as more than adequate, and they note smooth transitions between electric and gasoline propulsion in the hybrid setup.

Ford’s cost-effectiveness notes also point to 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 chassis tuning and interior quality may feel less polished than you’d want if you plan to keep the vehicle for many years.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing multiple trims or powertrains. Focus on overall condition, interior wear, and whether the features you want are actually present on the specific trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim is the most stripped-down version, while the SE, SEL, and Titanium add more equipment. The base model’s smaller touchscreen and lack of some comfort upgrades make it the one most likely to feel sparse.
• 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 efficient, the 2.0-liter is stronger, and the hybrid and plug-in hybrid broaden the efficiency story.
• 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 move up to an 8-inch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot are standard, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 1.5-liter engine is rated at 30 mpg combined, with 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The AWD version returns 28 mpg combined, while the 2.0-liter powertrain is rated at 26 mpg combined, with 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The hybrid reaches 41 mpg combined in FWD form and 40 mpg combined with AWD, and the plug-in hybrid is rated at 105 MPGe combined in electric mode with 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 makes the most sense only if you’re focused on keeping the price down and can live with the most basic equipment.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen and a more complete everyday feature set without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• SEL: This trim is the better pick if you want more comfort and appearance upgrades, including dual-zone automatic climate control and available appearance-package content.
• Titanium: This is the most upscale choice, adding the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system for shoppers who want the most premium feel.

The safety package is a strong part of the lineup, but the available Co-Pilot360 Assist+ features are still optional rather than standard.

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 with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,105 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.46% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,597, 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 $15,597 sits slightly below last year's $18,022.

That decline suggests the Escape has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means a future seller may face a softer pricing environment than owners saw a year ago. If you buy at the current average or below, you may have less downside risk than someone who bought when prices were higher. The model’s broad appeal and practical positioning should still help support demand.

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. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ 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.

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:

• 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.46% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 keeps the redesigned Escape’s multiple powertrain choices, available tow package, and slightly improved fuel economy for the base engine.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,493, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,597 average.
• It is described as a high-tech, handsome, and surprisingly athletic small SUV.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year pricing context and the same basic Escape formula, the 2021 is the straightforward pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 remains the 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 leans harder into powertrain variety and user-friendly tech, while the RAV4 counters with stronger cargo utility and better safety credentials. If you care most about a quieter cabin and more cargo space, the RAV4 has the edge; if you want more drivetrain choices and easier tech, the Escape is the more flexible pick.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.