Used 2023 Ford Escape for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2023 Ford Escape Trims in Columbia, SC

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

• Starting at $24,598
• 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: $24,598 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 103 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• 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: $34,629 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 107 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: $34,629 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 82 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of style and functionality with all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $34,629 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 85 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 added features and towing capability without going premium.

• Avg. market price: $34,629 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 46 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: $44,659 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 46 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 advanced technology and comfort features.

• Avg. market price: $34,629 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 10 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View ST-Line Elite AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST-Line FWD

With 107 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 $24,598 avg market price — below the lineup median of $34,629 — 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 5.04% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,117 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable 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, spaciousness, smooth handling, and commendable fuel efficiency. That lines up well with the Escape’s use case as a practical compact crossover that still offers an upscale design and a tech-forward cabin.

The main trade-offs are that it can feel a bit cramped, the interior materials can feel cheap, and wind noise is a weakness. It also sits on the higher end of the segment for price, so value-conscious shoppers may want to compare carefully.

Good and great deals account for 33.7% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape reliable?

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

Owners describe it as dependable, with praise centered on its comfort, practicality, and overall satisfaction over time. The expert evaluation also points to a solid, predictable driving character, with brakes that offer very linear stopping power and steering that avoids the twitchy feel some rivals have.

Ford also includes a helpful first scheduled maintenance visit on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the cabin condition and running costs match the asking price.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because even a strong accident-free share does not guarantee the specific vehicle you’re considering has a clean past. Prioritize a close inspection of the cabin, since the interior materials are a known weak point and wear can show up quickly. It also makes sense to confirm that the tech and driver-assistance features work as expected, especially on higher-trim examples.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The trim ladder runs from Active to ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. The base trim starts with an 8-inch touchscreen, while the larger 13.2-inch screen is standard on the Platinum and ST-Line Elite, so lower trims miss some of the more upscale cabin presentation.
• Powertrain: You can get a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The stronger engine is limited to ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite, and it is AWD-only.
• Safety package: Every trim gets 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 standard on Platinum and ST-Line Elite. Wireless smartphone integration is not stated, but the system does support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it includes over-the-air capability.
• Fuel efficiency: The ST-Line Elite is rated at 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined. A 1.5-liter FWD version returns 27 mpg city, 34 highway, and 30 combined.

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, and it makes sense if you want the Escape’s core design, standard Co-Pilot360 safety tech, and a lower starting price without chasing upscale extras.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a sportier look while staying below the pricier powertrain and luxury-focused trims.
• ST-Line Select: Choose this if you want the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, since it unlocks the stronger powertrain and AWD-only setup.
• Platinum: This is the better pick if you want a more premium-feeling Escape, including the larger 13.2-inch screen as standard.
• ST-Line Elite: This is the top-end choice if you want the most equipment and the strongest available engine, but it also carries the highest price and running costs.

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

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

This looks like a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,117 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.04% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 88.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,776, 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 $22,995 sits slightly below last year's $24,215.

That price movement suggests the Escape has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the range, you may reduce the amount of value left to lose over your ownership period. On the other hand, paying close to the top of the range leaves less cushion if the market softens further.

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. It also received a Marginal result in IIHS’s updated side-impact test, while earning Good in the rest of IIHS’s evaluations.

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

Every 2023 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 main safety caveat is the IIHS side-impact result, which is weaker than the rest of the Escape’s crash-test performance.

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:

• 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.04% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines strong available power, impressive technology, and a refreshed design.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $22,917, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $22,995 average.
• It carries over the 2023 refresh with no major changes.

The bottom line: If you want the broader used-market selection and a model year with strong owner satisfaction, the 2023 is the safer primary pick. If you’re focused mainly on price and are comfortable with a very similar package, the 2024 is the better value-oriented alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.