Used 2023 Ford Escape for Sale nearCharlotte, NC

Compare 2023 Ford Escape Trims in Charlotte, NC

The 2023 Ford Escape offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to sportier models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $19,363
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Most Popular: ST-Line 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

Active FWD — "Who It's For"

The Active FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $19,363 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 96 listings
• View Active FWD listings

ST-Line FWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded vehicle with popular features and a stylish design.

• Avg. market price: $19,618 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 101 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST-Line FWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $20,064 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 83 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance combined with all-wheel drive for enhanced handling.

• Avg. market price: $24,597 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 98 listings
• View ST-Line AWD listings

ST-Line Select AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line Select AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of luxury and performance in an all-wheel drive vehicle.

• Avg. market price: $21,541 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 44 listings
• View ST-Line Select AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a premium experience with advanced features and sporty performance.

• Avg. market price: $26,955 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• View Platinum AWD listings

ST-Line Elite AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line Elite AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a trail-ready vehicle with top-tier technology and comfort features.

• Avg. market price: $24,885 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View ST-Line Elite AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST-Line FWD

With 101 active listings, the ST-Line FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST-Line FWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active FWD

At $19,363 avg market price — below the lineup median of $21,541 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Active FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Active FWD

The Active FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 27/34 MPG/MPGe.

Browse Active 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 2023 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 4.89% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,074 listings available, which gives you a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Ford Escape earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating.

The model scores 8/10 across Performance, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its performance, interior comfort, modern features, spaciousness, smooth handling, and commendable fuel efficiency. The Escape also fits shoppers who want a stylish, practical SUV with a tech-forward feel and an upscale design.

The trade-offs are familiar: it can feel cramped for some buyers, and the interior materials can feel cheap. Wind noise is another weakness, and the price sits on the higher end of the segment.

With 32.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for the Escape’s long-term appeal, comfort, and practicality. The expert evaluation also describes the Escape as a vehicle that should hold up well over years of abuse, which supports the sense that it is built for everyday use.

Ford’s maintenance and durability story is helped by the Escape’s straightforward mainstream design and broad market presence. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright mechanical drama and more about finding one that has been cared for properly, especially given the cabin-material and noise complaints.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Ford Escape?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, cabin noise, and how the vehicle drives at highway speeds. Since the Escape can feel cramped and its materials can seem cheap, condition matters a lot in how satisfying a used example will feel.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The trim ladder runs from base trim to Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. The base trim starts the lineup with the smaller 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims bring more upscale presentation and, at the top end, 19-inch wheels and a more premium cabin look. If you want the most polished feel, the upper trims are the ones that deliver it.
• Powertrain: The Escape offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, plus a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The stronger engine is reserved for ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite, and it is paired exclusively with AWD. If you want the best passing power, that’s the setup to target.
• Safety package: Every Escape comes with Co-Pilot360, which includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Co-Pilot360 2.0 adds adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, lane-centering technology, and a surround-view camera. The standard suite is strong, and blind-spot monitoring is a notable standard feature.
• Infotainment: Lower trims use an 8-inch touchscreen, while all trims can be equipped with a 13.2-inch screen, which is standard on Platinum and ST-Line Elite. The system uses Sync 4, supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and organizes functions with clear tiles. The larger screen is the one that makes the cabin feel most modern.
• Fuel efficiency: The ST-Line Elite returns 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined. A 1.5-liter FWD Escape is rated at 27 mpg city, 34 highway, and 30 combined. If fuel economy is your top priority, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are the stronger choices.

Which 2023 Ford Escape trim should I buy?

The 2023 Ford Escape is offered in 5 trim levels: Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite.

Here's the short version:

• Active: This is the entry point if you want the Escape’s core design, standard Co-Pilot360 safety tech, and the lower starting price. It makes sense if you want the model’s basics without paying for the larger screen or stronger engine.
• ST-Line: This trim is the value step if you want a sportier look and still want to keep costs in check. It sits above the base trim without jumping into the pricier powertrain or luxury-oriented equipment.
• ST-Line Select: This is the best-value choice if you want the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and its stronger passing power. It also gets you into the more powerful AWD-only setup, making it the smart pick for shoppers who care most about performance.
• Platinum: This trim is for you if you want a more upscale feel and the larger 13.2-inch screen. It adds a more premium presentation without going all the way to the top of the range.
• ST-Line Elite: This is the most fully equipped version, with the 13.2-inch screen standard and the strongest feature set in the lineup. It suits you if you want the most polished cabin and don’t mind paying for it.

Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, while Co-Pilot360 2.0 is the upgrade to look for if you want adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Ford Escape?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough price softness to create opportunities.

• Deal availability: 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,074 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.89% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 88.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,771, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Ford Escape's resale value?

The current average of $22,987 sits slightly below last year's $24,168.

That decline suggests the Escape has become a bit easier to buy than it was a year ago, which can help you as a shopper but may soften returns if you plan to resell soon. The current pricing also shows that the market still supports the model, even with competition from newer alternatives.

For a future seller, the key takeaway is that value retention will depend heavily on condition, trim, and equipment. Well-kept examples with desirable features should remain easier to move than rougher, higher-mileage ones.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape safe?

The 2023 Ford Escape earns five-star ratings in frontal- and side-crash tests and four-star ratings in the rollover test from NHTSA, while the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Every Escape comes standard with Co-Pilot360, which includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Co-Pilot360 2.0 adds adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, lane-centering technology, and a surround-view camera.

The main caution is the IIHS side-impact result, which was rated Marginal. That makes a careful inspection of safety equipment and trim content especially worthwhile if safety is a top priority.

Should I buy a 2023 Ford Escape or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.89% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines strong available power, standard safety tech, and a major 2023 refresh.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $22,874, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $22,987 average.
• It carries over the 2023 makeover with no major changes.

The bottom line: If you want the broader selection and the benefit of a softer price trend, the 2023 is the better primary target. If you’re focused on the lowest average asking price and don’t mind a very similar package, the 2024 is the price-sensitive alternative worth checking.

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