Used 2021 Ford Escape for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

Compare 2021 Ford Escape Trims in Raleigh, 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 $13,421
• 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: $14,244 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 68 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: $13,530 (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 capability at an affordable price without extra frills.

• Avg. market price: $14,654 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 13 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: $13,421 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 190 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 experience with added features without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $16,574 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 56 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance and advanced technology in a well-equipped package.

• Avg. market price: $16,648 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 94 listings
• View SEL AWD listings

Titanium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Titanium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and a powerful engine for a refined driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $14,654 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 104 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Titanium AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SE AWD

With 190 active listings, the SE AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SE AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE AWD

At $13,421 avg market price — below the lineup median of $14,654 — 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 28/34 MPG/MPGe.

Browse S FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 24, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 14.08% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,352 listings available, which gives you a healthy pool to compare trims, mileage, and condition.

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 fits well if you want a compact crossover with multiple powertrain choices, great ride quality, and easy-to-use technology. At the same time, the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the interior materials feel cheap.

The market also looks reasonably supportive, with 33.3% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?

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

The Escape’s overall package points to a practical ownership experience: it emphasizes fuel efficiency, offers multiple powertrain choices, and keeps the tech interface straightforward. Its performance notes also suggest the base three-cylinder engine is more capable than it might sound, and the hybrid setup transitions smoothly between electric and gasoline power.

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 cabin materials and chassis tuning may feel less refined than you’d want over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re shopping outside the cleanest listings. Focus on trim content, tire and brake wear, infotainment operation, and whether the vehicle’s equipment matches the listing photos and description.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims carry over, and the base S is the most stripped-down version. You’ll want to pay close attention to feature gaps at the lower end, since the SE adds more screen size and the SEL brings more comfort equipment.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are also offered, and the plug-in hybrid can drive significant distances on electric power alone.
• 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 the 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 37 miles of electric range and 105 MPGe combined in electric 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 Escape’s value case mostly through standard tech and the lowest starting price. It’s the trim to consider only if you’re focused on keeping costs down and can live with the smaller 4.2-inch screen.
• 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. It’s the easiest trim to recommend if you want a more complete daily-driver setup without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• SEL: This is the trim to target if you want more comfort and a nicer-feeling 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 version, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. If you want the most premium Escape experience, this is the one to shop.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, while Co-Pilot360 Assist+ remains an optional upgrade.

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: 33.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,352 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.08% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,966, 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 $15,966 sits slightly below last year's $18,583.

That price movement suggests the Escape has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right number today. If you shop carefully now, you may have less downside left than a buyer who paid closer to the prior-year average.

The model’s broad trim and powertrain spread can also help it appeal to a wider pool of used shoppers later. 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 performance varies by trim, with only acceptable or marginal ratings depending on 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:

• 33.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.08% 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 $15,130, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,966 average.
• It offers a stylish design and standard advanced safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the newer year with a softer market and slightly improved efficiency, the 2021 is the better default choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the smarter value play, especially if you find a clean example with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.