Used 2023 Ford Escape for Sale near North Carolina

Compare 2023 Ford Escape Trims

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

• Starting at $17,808
• 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: $19,617 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 1,253 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 a hefty price tag. It's a great choice for those needing extra traction.

• Avg. market price: $17,808 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 26 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 styling and features without stepping up to an AWD model.

• Avg. market price: $20,667 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 1,179 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 the benefits of all-wheel drive with added features for comfort and convenience.

• Avg. market price: $21,749 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 2,569 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 a sporty driving experience with all-wheel drive capabilities. It's the most popular trim for a reason.

• Avg. market price: $22,671 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 2,619 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 a sporty trim with additional luxury features and a powerful engine.

• Avg. market price: $24,517 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 1,095 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View ST-Line Select AWD listings

Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and a powerful engine in a stylish package.

• Avg. market price: $25,093 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 973 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 ultimate in sporty features and advanced technology for a premium experience.

• Avg. market price: $25,194 (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 — ST-Line AWD

With 2,619 active listings, the ST-Line AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse ST-Line AWD listings

Best Budget Option — AWD

At $17,808 avg market price — below the lineup median of $22,210 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse AWD 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 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2023 Ford Escape cost?

Prices have softened 5.52% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,043 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability 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, modern features, spaciousness, smooth handling, and commendable fuel efficiency. That lines up with the Escape’s upscale, tech-forward feel and its available powerful engine upgrade, which gives you extra passing speed if you want more punch.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials can feel cheap, and wind noise is a recurring complaint. It also sits on the higher end of the segment on price, so you’re paying for the feature set and design rather than standout value.

The Escape fits you best if you want a compact crossover that feels polished, practical, and well equipped rather than rugged or bare-bones. Good and great deals account for 34.8% of listings, 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 points to a reliable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for its dependable performance, comfort, and practical everyday usability. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Escape’s brakes are predictable and linear, and its steering is well-weighted, which supports confidence in daily driving.

If you’re buying used, the main long-term risk is less about outright mechanical drama and more about choosing a well-kept example that avoids the cabin wear and quality compromises some shoppers notice.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 88% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a close inspection of the cabin materials, trim fit, and road noise, since those are the areas most likely to affect your day-to-day satisfaction. If you’re considering a higher-trim example, make sure the added equipment works as expected and that the vehicle’s condition matches the asking price.

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 the smaller 8-inch touchscreen, while the larger 13.2-inch screen is standard on the Platinum and ST-Line Elite, and the top-trim test vehicle also wore 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps and wheel-arch cladding.
• Powertrain: You can choose between a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower. The stronger engine is reserved for the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite, and it’s the one to target if you want stronger 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, and the Escape can be equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen or a larger 13.2-inch screen. The system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the larger display is standard on the Platinum and ST-Line Elite.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.5-liter front-wheel-drive version returns 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, while the tested 2.0-liter ST-Line Elite returned 23 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg 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 entry point if you want the lowest starting price, but you give up some of the richer equipment and visual polish found higher up the range. It makes sense if you want the Escape’s core safety and tech features without stretching your budget.
• Active: This is the first step up and a sensible choice if you want a better-equipped Escape without jumping too far in price. It’s the trim to watch if you want a balanced mix of value and everyday usability.
• ST-Line: This trim adds a sportier look and sits in the middle of the lineup, making it a good fit if you want more style without moving into the pricier upper trims.
• ST-Line Select: This is the best-value choice if you want the stronger 2.0-liter engine, since it unlocks the more powerful powertrain without requiring you to jump 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. It suits you if cabin presentation matters as much as equipment.
• ST-Line Elite: This is the top-end choice for shoppers who want the most fully loaded Escape, including the larger screen and the strongest available engine. It’s the right pick if you want maximum equipment and don’t mind paying for it.

Every trim comes standard with Co-Pilot360, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 remains an upgrade if you want the more advanced driver-assistance features.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough price softness to create opportunities.

• Deal availability: 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,043 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.52% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 88.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,645, 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 $22,645 sits slightly below last year's $23,967.

That price movement suggests the Escape has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right number today. If you purchase near the current average or below it, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it’s time to sell.

The model’s broad appeal, strong owner satisfaction, and solid feature content should help keep demand steady among used buyers. 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. It did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS, and it received a Marginal score 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. 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 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:

• 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 88% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.52% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2023 brings a substantial refresh with strong safety and infotainment tech, plus an available powerful engine upgrade.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $22,687, the 2024 costs more than the current year's $22,645 average.
• It carries over the refreshed design with no major changes.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2023 is the smarter buy because it combines softer pricing with strong equipment and broad market availability. If you prefer the newest model-year badge and don’t mind paying a bit more, the 2024 is the straightforward alternative.

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 Escape is the better pick if you care most about tech and available power, while the CR-V has the edge in cargo space and overall ride quality. If you want a more modern-feeling cabin and stronger feature content, the Escape makes sense; if you want the more polished all-around package, the CR-V is the safer bet.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.