Used 2023 Ford Escape for Sale nearLakeland, FL

Compare 2023 Ford Escape Trims in Lakeland, FL

The 2023 Ford Escape offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more feature-rich models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $16,998
• 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 budget-friendly option packed with features without stepping up to a higher trim.

• Avg. market price: $18,686 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 97 listings
• 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 standard features without the added cost of AWD.

• Avg. market price: $20,249 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 79 listings
• View ST-Line FWD listings

Active AWD — "Who It's For"

The Active AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without breaking the bank, making it a great value.

• Avg. market price: $16,998 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 48 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 feel with the added confidence of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $20,414 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 54 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 sporty styling in an all-wheel drive package.

• Avg. market price: $24,800 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 32 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 all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $20,323 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 23 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 luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $24,769 (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 — Active FWD

With 97 active listings, the Active FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Active FWD listings

Best Budget Option — Active AWD

At $16,998 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,323 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Active AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Active FWD

The Active FWD offers the best fuel economy 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 4.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,184 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 from owners 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. That lines up well with the Escape’s use case as an upscale, tech-forward compact crossover that still offers an available powerful engine upgrade for extra passing speed.

The trade-offs are clear: it may feel a bit cramped, and the interior materials can feel cheap. It also carries a higher price than many rivals, so the value proposition depends on how much you care about its feature set and polished design.

With 36.5% of listings priced as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for its long-term appeal, smooth handling, and practical everyday usability. The expert evaluation also notes that the Escape’s brakes are predictable and linear, and its steering is well-weighted rather than twitchy.

Ford also includes a helpful suite of standard driver-assistance features, which can reduce day-to-day stress and support confidence over time. 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 your expectations.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on cabin wear, trim condition, and any signs that the interior materials have aged poorly. It’s also smart to confirm that the technology and driver-assistance features work as expected, since this model leans heavily on its equipment list.

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. The base trim is the most stripped-down starting point, while higher trims add a more upscale look and more equipment.
• Powertrain: The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder makes 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The stronger engine is limited to higher trims and 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, which is standard on the 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 tech and safety features without paying for the pricier engine or upscale trim content. It makes sense if you want the model’s basic strengths at the lowest starting price.
• ST-Line: This is the value-oriented step up if you want a sportier appearance and a better-equipped feel without jumping too far up the price ladder. It’s the trim to watch if you want a balance of equipment and cost.
• ST-Line Select: This is the best-value choice if you want the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, since that powertrain starts here. It’s the right pick if extra passing power matters more than keeping the purchase price down.
• Platinum: This trim is for you if you want a more upscale presentation and the larger 13.2-inch screen standard. It suits shoppers who care more about cabin polish and tech presence than minimizing cost.
• ST-Line Elite: This is the top choice if you want the most fully equipped Escape, including the standard 13.2-inch screen and the strongest engine setup. It’s the most premium-feeling version, but it also sits at the high end of the price range.

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 package.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,184 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.94% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 88.8% 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 $22,926 sits slightly below last year's $24,116.

That downward move suggests the market has become a bit more favorable for buyers, but it also means future sellers may face some price pressure if the trend continues. If you buy at the right number now, you may reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later. The Escape’s strong owner satisfaction helps support demand, but resale will still depend heavily on trim, condition, and mileage.

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 rollover testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not award it a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation, citing a Marginal result in its updated side-impact test while rating the other tests 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 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:

• 36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 88.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines a tech-forward cabin with an available powerful engine upgrade.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $22,837, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $22,926 average.
• It carries over the 2023 redesign with no major changes.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-year market data and a broad selection of listings, the 2023 is the safer primary pick. If you’re focused on price and want a very similar Escape, the 2024 is worth a look because it costs slightly less on average and keeps the same basic formula.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.