Used 2023 Ford Escape for Sale near Illinois

Compare 2023 Ford Escape Trims

The 2023 Ford Escape offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, all featuring versatile drivetrains.

• Starting at $18,706
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Most Popular: Active 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 well-equipped SUV without paying for AWD. It's also the most affordable option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $19,895 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 1,221 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Active FWD listings

AWD — "Who It's For"

The AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without the higher price of other trims. However, availability is limited.

• Avg. market price: $18,706 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 22 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View AWD listings

ST-Line FWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line FWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features without the AWD price premium. It offers a good balance of style and functionality.

• Avg. market price: $20,729 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 1,197 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 a popular trim with all-wheel drive and a solid feature set. It's the most popular choice in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $22,353 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 2,335 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Active AWD listings

ST-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The ST-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty features combined with all-wheel drive. It offers a sporty driving experience with good tech.

• Avg. market price: $23,419 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 2,322 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• 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 sporty performance. It’s a great choice for those who value comfort and tech.

• Avg. market price: $25,381 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 809 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 powerful engine. It’s ideal for those who prioritize comfort and performance.

• Avg. market price: $25,795 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 874 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 the most advanced features and a sporty design. It’s perfect for those who seek a premium driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $26,409 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 181 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View ST-Line Elite AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Active AWD

With 2,335 active listings, the Active AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Active AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $18,706 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,886 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Active FWD

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

Browse Active FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2023 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 4.54% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 7,996 listings available, you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $22,778.04, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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, and modern features, and they also call out its spaciousness, smooth handling, and commendable fuel efficiency. That lines up well with the Escape’s use case as a stylish, practical compact crossover with a tech-forward feel and an available powertrain upgrade for extra passing speed.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: it can feel cramped for some shoppers, and the cabin materials and wind noise are weaker points. Even so, the Escape still fits buyers who want a comfortable, well-equipped crossover with a polished design and strong feature content. With 29.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s meaningful room to shop selectively.

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 ownership experience, with repeated praise for the Escape’s long-term appeal, comfort, and everyday usability. On the road, the powertrain and chassis tuning support that impression with predictable braking, well-weighted steering, and a soft suspension that helps the SUV stay composed over rough pavement.

Ford also includes a helpful maintenance perk in the ownership experience for some buyers, which can reduce early-service hassle. For used shoppers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the specific vehicle was cared for well, especially given the model’s mixed value perception and cabin-material complaints.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a full inspection. Pay close attention to trim-specific equipment, interior wear, and whether the vehicle has the features you want, since the Escape’s equipment spread changes meaningfully as you move up the lineup. A test drive should also focus on cabin noise, seat comfort, and how the powertrain feels in passing and merging situations.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim starts the lineup, and higher trims add a more upscale look, larger wheels, and richer cabin materials, but the lower trims can feel more basic inside.
• 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 paired with AWD and is better for passing.
• 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 get an 8-inch touchscreen, while all trims can be equipped with a 13.2-inch screen; Sync 4 is standard, and the larger display is standard on Platinum and ST-Line Elite.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder returns 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined, while the 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, but it’s the trim where you’ll feel the most feature restraint.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a sportier look and keeps the price below the more expensive powertrain and luxury-oriented versions.
• ST-Line Select: Choose this one if you want the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and stronger passing power without jumping all the way to the top trims.
• Platinum: This trim is the better pick if you want a more upscale feel and the larger 13.2-inch screen as standard.
• ST-Line Elite: This is the most fully equipped version, with the strongest engine, standard 13.2-inch infotainment, and the most premium presentation.

Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, while Co-Pilot360 2.0 is an upgrade for shoppers who want the more advanced driver-assistance features.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 29.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 7,996 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.54% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,778.04, 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 $23,206 sits slightly below last year's $24,310.

That softer pricing suggests the Escape has already absorbed some of its near-term depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. For a seller, the current market shows that demand is still present, but buyers are price-sensitive and have plenty of inventory to compare against.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded it five-star overall crash-test ratings, with five-star ratings in frontal- and side-crash tests and four-star ratings in rollover testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not give it a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation, noting a Marginal result in the updated side-impact test while rating the other tests Good.

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

Ford makes Co-Pilot360 standard, and that 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. If you want more capability, 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 you should pay close attention to crash history and trim equipment when shopping used.

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:

• 29.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.54% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings the 2023 refresh, which adds a more traditional front end and a stronger tech presentation.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $23,052, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $23,206 average.
• It carries on with no major changes after the 2023 makeover.

The bottom line: If you want the better-equipped, refreshed version of the Escape and you find a clean example at a fair price, the 2023 is the stronger all-around pick. If you’re focused mainly on price and are comfortable with a similar formula, the 2024 can make sense as the lower-cost alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.