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 $17,003
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Most Popular: Active 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 well-equipped SUV without breaking the bank. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $17,003 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 19 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Active FWD listings

ST-Line FWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line FWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty styling and tech features without the AWD price premium.

• Avg. market price: $18,350 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 16 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• 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: $19,362 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 8 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $20,737 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• 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 powerful engine and advanced features for a more premium experience.

• Avg. market price: $22,472 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 8 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View ST-Line Select AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Active FWD

With 19 active listings, the Active FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Active FWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active FWD

At $17,003 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,362 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Active FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Active FWD

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

Browse Active 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 2023 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 6.11% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 7,783 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Ford Escape earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Performance, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its performance, interior comfort, and modern features, and they also like the spaciousness, smooth handling, and commendable fuel efficiency. In practice, that lines up well with the Escape’s use case as a handsome, tech-forward compact crossover that still offers an available powerful engine for extra passing speed.

The main trade-offs are the cheap-feeling interior materials, wind noise, and pricing that sits on the higher end of the segment. Even so, the Escape still makes sense if you value style, features, and an upscale look more than maximum value.

With 35.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to keep shopping opportunities interesting.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape reliable?

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

Owners describe the Escape as dependable in the way they praise its performance, comfort, and practicality, with minimal negatives mentioned in the review summary. The expert evaluation also points to a cabin and driving experience that should hold up well over time, especially with comfortable seats and predictable braking.

Ford’s maintenance coverage is not highlighted here, so your best protection as a used buyer is a clean service history and a careful pre-purchase inspection. That matters most if you plan to keep the vehicle for the long haul.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not universal. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the cabin materials, electronics, and road manners, since those are the areas most likely to affect your day-to-day satisfaction. If possible, test the vehicle on a highway and rough pavement so you can judge wind noise and ride quality for yourself.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup starts at the base trim and moves through Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. Lower trims use an 8-inch touchscreen, while the larger 13.2-inch screen is standard on the Platinum and ST-Line Elite, and the top-trim cabin also adds more upscale visual touches.
• 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 the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite, and it brings noticeably better passing power.
• 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.
• Infotainment: Sync 4 is standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen available across the lineup and standard on the Platinum and ST-Line Elite. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the interface is organized around easy-to-use tiles.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.5-liter front-wheel-drive version returns 27 mpg city, 34 highway, and 30 combined. The 2.0-liter version is rated at 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined.

Which 2023 Ford Escape trim should I buy?

The 2023 Ford Escape is offered in 6 trim levels: base trim, Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite.

Here's the short version:

• base trim: This is the least expensive way into the Escape, but it is also the most stripped-down version of the lineup. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and plan to add your own comfort and tech expectations carefully.
• Active: This trim is the first step up and is the better starting point for most shoppers because it moves you beyond the bare minimum without jumping too far in price. It is the trim to focus on if you want a sensible balance of equipment and cost.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a sportier appearance and sits in the middle of the range, making it a good fit if you want more style without paying for the upper trims. It is a reasonable choice if you want a more polished look but do not need the strongest engine.
• ST-Line Select: This is the best-value trim if you want the 2.0-liter engine, since that powertrain starts here. It is the right pick for shoppers who care most about stronger acceleration and passing power.
• Platinum: This trim brings the larger 13.2-inch screen as standard and adds a more upscale feel. Choose it if you want a more premium cabin without going all the way to the top trim.
• ST-Line Elite: This is the most fully equipped version, with the 13.2-inch screen standard and the strongest available engine. It suits you best if you want the most features and the most upscale presentation in the Escape lineup.

Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, while Co-Pilot360 2.0 is the upgrade to look for if you want the more advanced driver-assistance features.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 7,783 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.11% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 87.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,423, 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 $22,423 sits slightly below last year's $23,884.

That price movement suggests the Escape has softened enough to create a more approachable used-buying window, but it also means future sellers may face some pressure if the market keeps favoring newer or more rugged-looking crossovers. If you buy well now, you may be able to limit depreciation pain by starting from a lower entry point than last year’s average.

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 a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in frontal- and side-crash tests and a four-star rating in the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not award it a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation, noting a Marginal result in the updated side-impact test.

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 safety caveat is the IIHS side-impact result, so that’s worth keeping in mind if crash-test performance is a top priority for you.

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:

• 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.11% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2023 stands out for its strong available engine, impressive technology, and upscale design.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $22,586, the 2024 costs more than the current year's $22,423 average.
• It carries over with no major changes and appears to drop the base trim.

The bottom line: If you want the better value right now, the 2023 is the smarter starting point because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and plenty of listings. If you prefer a newer model year and do not mind paying a bit more for a carryover version, the 2024 is the secondary path.

How does the 2023 Ford Escape compare to the 2023 Honda CR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Ford Escape:

• Pros: Comfortable, Powerful engine available, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Interior materials feel cheap, Too much wind noise, Poor value for money.

2023 Honda CR-V:

• Pros: Comfortable, Plenty of cargo space, Great ride and handling.
• Cons: Irritating transmission, Uninspired styling, Lacks technological innovation.

Our experts score the 2023 Ford Escape 7.2/10 and the 2023 Honda CR-V 7.8/10. The CR-V gets the edge overall, especially if you care most about cargo space and ride quality. The Escape counters with a more powerful available engine and stronger tech appeal, but its cheaper-feeling interior and wind noise hold it back.

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.