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 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 4.91% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 8,090 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability. If you find a listing below $22,775.79, 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 with the Escape’s use case as a stylish, practical compact crossover with an upscale design and a tech-forward feel.

The trade-offs are worth weighing: it can feel a bit cramped, and the cabin materials and wind noise keep it from feeling fully polished. Even so, it remains a strong fit if you want a comfortable daily driver with useful tech and an available powertrain upgrade. With 32.2% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape reliable?

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

User feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, trouble-free, and easy to count on, especially for everyday use. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Escape’s brakes are predictable and linear, and its steering is well-weighted, which supports confidence in routine driving.

Ford’s maintenance coverage can also help reduce early ownership friction when you’re shopping used. For a used buyer, the main long-term risk is less about outright mechanical drama and more about choosing a well-kept example that hasn’t been worn down by heavy use or neglected upkeep.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a proper inspection. Prioritize the cabin and trim condition, since the interior materials can show wear and the overall feel of the cabin matters a lot in this model. It’s also smart to confirm that the tech and driver-assistance features work as expected, especially if you’re comparing lower and higher trims.

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: 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 exclusively with AWD and is the better choice if you want easier passing and merging.
• 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 Platinum and ST-Line Elite. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it uses Sync 4.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter version returns 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined. 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 without chasing extra luxury or power.
• ST-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it keeps the price more manageable while adding a sportier look and a strong equipment mix.
• ST-Line Select: Choose this if you want the 2.0-liter engine and the extra passing power that comes with it.
• Platinum: This is the trim to target 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 setup and the richest tech presentation, but it also sits at the top of the price range.

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

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 8,090 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.91% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,775.79, 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 $23,089 sits slightly below last year's $24,283.

That kind of price movement suggests the Escape has softened enough to create a more buyer-friendly entry point today, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy well now, you may have less downside risk than someone who paid closer to last year’s average. Strong equipment, good condition, and a clean history should matter more when it comes time to resell.

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, 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, 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 condition if you’re 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:

• 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.91% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a strong mix of safety tech, infotainment, and an available powerful engine upgrade.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $22,977, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $23,089 average.
• It carries on without major changes after the 2023 refresh.

The bottom line: If you want the broader shopping pool and the strongest current-year price trend, the 2023 is the better target. If you’re focused mainly on spending less and don’t mind a similar overall package, the 2024 is worth a look. Either way, prioritize condition, equipment, and a clean history over small year-to-year differences.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.