Used 2023 Ford Escape for Sale nearDurham, NC

Compare 2023 Ford Escape Trims in Durham, NC

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

• Starting at $20,015
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Most Popular: ST-Line 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

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: $21,960 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 73 listings
• View Active FWD listings

ST-Line FWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a stylish trim with solid tech features without stepping up to AWD.

• Avg. market price: $20,015 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 74 listings
• View ST-Line FWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $21,967 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 80 listings
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty look and features without compromising on performance. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $22,125 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 87 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 premium features and a sporty design without going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $25,760 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 47 listings
• View ST-Line Select AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and a refined driving experience without sacrificing capability.

• Avg. market price: $21,960 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 41 listings
• View Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — ST-Line AWD

With 87 active listings, the ST-Line AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST-Line AWD listings

Best Budget Option — ST-Line FWD

At $20,015 avg market price — below the lineup median of $21,963 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse ST-Line 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 October 8, 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 8,146 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for used shoppers.

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 expert review also highlights its impressive safety and infotainment technology, plus an available powerful engine upgrade for extra passing speed.

The trade-offs are clear: it may feel cramped for some shoppers, its interior materials can feel cheap, and wind noise is a downside. It also sits on the higher end of the segment on price, which makes its value proposition less compelling than its equipment list might suggest.

For you, that means the Escape makes the most sense if you want a compact crossover with a polished look, strong tech, and everyday comfort rather than the cheapest possible commuter SUV. 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free feel, with praise for its long-term usability, smooth handling, and practical nature. On the expert side, the Escape’s brakes are described as very predictable and linear, and its steering is well-weighted rather than twitchy.

Ford also includes its Co-Pilot360 safety suite as standard, which adds confidence for daily use. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the cabin wear, noise, and value concerns match your expectations.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on cabin condition, trim wear, and any signs of hard use, since the interior materials are a known weak point. It also makes sense to test the infotainment system and driver-assistance features to confirm everything works as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The trim ladder runs from the base model through Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. The base trim is the most stripped-down starting point, while higher trims add a more upscale look and more equipment.
• 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 with AWD.
• Safety package: Co-Pilot360 is standard and 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: Lower trims come with an 8-inch touchscreen, while all trims can be equipped with a 13.2-inch screen; that larger display is standard on Platinum and ST-Line Elite. The system uses Sync 4 and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Fuel efficiency: The ST-Line Elite returns 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 if you want the Escape’s core design, standard safety tech, and a lower starting price. It makes sense if you want the model’s basics without paying for the more expensive engine or luxury touches.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a sportier appearance and keeps the Escape in a more affordable middle ground. It’s a good fit if you want the style and tech without moving too far up the price ladder.
• ST-Line Select: This is the best-value choice if you want the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, since it unlocks the stronger powertrain without jumping all the way to the top trims. It’s the trim to target if passing power matters most.
• Platinum: This trim leans into a more upscale feel and gets the larger 13.2-inch screen standard. It suits you if you want a more premium cabin without going all the way to the top.
• ST-Line Elite: This is the most fully equipped version, with the 2.0-liter engine, standard 13.2-inch screen, and the most upscale presentation. It’s the right pick if you want the most features and don’t mind paying for them.

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 with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,146 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.04% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 88.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,763, 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 $22,826 sits slightly below last year's $24,037.

That decline suggests the Escape has softened in the used market, which can help you buy more affordably now. For a future seller, that also means resale upside may be more limited unless the vehicle is especially well equipped, clean, and well maintained. The current pricing trend favors buyers more than sellers, so holding value will depend heavily on condition and trim.

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 stars in frontal- and side-crash tests and four stars 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 its updated side-impact test, while all other IIHS tests were rated Good.

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

Ford’s standard Co-Pilot360 suite 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 caveat is the IIHS side-impact result, which is weaker than the rest of the Escape’s safety record. If safety is a top priority, you should pay close attention to trim content and confirm the driver-assistance features you want are included.

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:

• 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.5% — 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.
• The 2023 brings a refreshed design, stronger tech, and an available powerful engine upgrade.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $22,806, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $22,826 average.
• It carries over the 2023 makeover with no major changes.

The bottom line: If you want the better-known current-year setup with a refreshed look and strong feature content, the 2023 is the safer default. If you’re focused mainly on price and want a very similar Escape, the 2024 is worth a look because it costs slightly less on average.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.