Used 2021 Ford Escape for Sale nearMesa, AZ

Compare 2021 Ford Escape Trims in Mesa, AZ

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

• Starting at $5,900
• 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 a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $10,988 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 49 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 without going for the highest price.

• Avg. market price: $15,912 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 148 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 accessible price without extra frills.

• Avg. market price: $5,900 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 9 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 features and all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $13,702 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 100 listings
• View SE AWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a touch of luxury and advanced features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $10,266 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 29 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance and luxury features in an all-wheel drive package.

• Avg. market price: $19,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 62 listings
• View SEL AWD listings

Titanium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Titanium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most features and performance in the Escape lineup.

• Avg. market price: $14,010 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 64 listings
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE FWD

With 148 active listings, the SE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — S AWD

At $5,900 avg market price — below the lineup median of $13,702 — 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.

Browse S FWD listings

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

How much does the 2021 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 13.82% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,379 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 SUV aimed at buyers who want a practical small SUV from a major mainstream brand, and it leans on multiple powertrain options, a comfortable ride, and easy-to-use technology. The trade-offs are clear, though: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the interior materials feel cheap.

The Escape’s broad appeal comes from being a familiar, well-rounded crossover rather than a dramatic redesign. That makes it a sensible fit if you want everyday usability and a mainstream nameplate without chasing a more specialized SUV.

36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there’s 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 a carryover model with only minimal changes, which usually helps keep ownership expectations straightforward. Its powertrain lineup is broad, and the available hybrid and plug-in hybrid options add flexibility for buyers who want better efficiency.

The expert notes also point to a comfortable ride and easy-to-use technology, both of which matter in day-to-day ownership. Ford’s warranty coverage is competitive, and the model’s fuel-saving focus should help keep running costs in check for many drivers.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the Escape’s basic driving dynamics and interior quality may feel less polished than you’d hope 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 history report carefully, since accident-free listings are strong but not universal. A pre-purchase inspection is worth prioritizing, especially if you’re comparing trims or powertrains with different equipment levels. Focus on overall condition, because the cabin materials and feature content vary enough that wear and missing equipment can matter.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S trim is the most basic, and it comes with the smallest touchscreen and fewer convenience features than higher trims. The SE adds a larger screen, while the SEL and Titanium bring more upscale equipment, including dual-zone automatic climate control on the SEL and a digital instrument cluster plus premium audio on the Titanium.
• 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 efficiency-focused choice, while the 2.0-liter adds more power 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 makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable with the most basic screen and equipment set. It’s the trim most likely to feel stripped down, so it’s best for shoppers who care more about value than features.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most buyers because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen and a more complete everyday feature set without jumping too far up the price ladder. If you want the most balanced mix of equipment and cost, start here.
• SEL: This trim is the better pick if you want a more upscale cabin, since it adds dual-zone automatic climate control and can be paired with appearance upgrades like the SEL Stealth AWD Package. It’s a good middle ground if comfort matters more than pure budget.
• Titanium: This is the top trim and the one to choose if you want the most premium tech, including the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio. It’s the most feature-rich Escape, but you’ll pay for that upgrade.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, while the more advanced Co-Pilot360 Assist+ features remain optional.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you’re a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,379 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.82% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,753, 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 $15,753 sits slightly below last year's $18,280.

That price drop suggests the Escape has moved into a more buyer-friendly part of the market, which can make it harder for a future seller to command top dollar immediately. If you buy at today’s lower average, you may reduce some of the depreciation pressure that comes from paying closer to the peak.

The model’s broad appeal and multiple powertrain choices should help keep it relevant with used shoppers. Still, resale value will depend heavily on trim, condition, and how well the vehicle is equipped relative to rivals.

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. 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, 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:

• 36.0% 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 13.82% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the 2020 redesign’s practical formula while adding only minor updates, so you get a familiar, well-rounded crossover.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,779, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,753 average.
• It offers a more modern-feeling redesign with strong tech and standard advanced safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the newer-year version of the Escape’s familiar formula and you’re shopping the market carefully, the 2021 is the cleaner choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value path and may be the smarter buy for price-sensitive shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.