New & Used 2026 Ford Escape for Sale nearHickory, NC

Compare 2026 Ford Escape Trims

The 2026 Ford Escape offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped AWD models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $24,761
• 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 budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $25,564 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 1,221 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• 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 standard features without stepping up to AWD.

• Avg. market price: $24,761 (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 all-wheel drive capability without a hefty price tag. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $30,821 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 2,333 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 look and feel with the added benefit of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $28,804 (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 a sportier experience with more power and features.

• Avg. market price: $35,730 (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 in their compact SUV.

• Avg. market price: $43,949 (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 a fully loaded SUV with advanced technology and off-road capability.

• Avg. market price: $38,316 (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 2,333 active listings, the Active AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Active AWD listings

Best Budget Option — ST-Line FWD

At $24,761 avg market price — below the lineup median of $30,821 — 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 economy in the lineup with 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.

Is the 2026 Ford Escape a good car?

The 2026 Ford Escape sits in a moderate market position, which makes it a reasonable option if you want a mainstream used SUV with a fair amount of shopping flexibility. With 34.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a meaningful chance of finding a competitively priced example if you compare listings carefully.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Ford Escape?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report on any listing you’re seriously considering and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if the price looks especially strong. Focus on overall condition, maintenance records, and whether the vehicle’s wear matches its mileage and asking price.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Ford Escape?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient and compare multiple listings.

• Deal availability: 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,214 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,325.95, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Should I buy a 2026 Ford Escape or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version in this comparison set and you’re comfortable shopping the market carefully, the 2026 is the primary path to consider. If your main goal is to stretch your budget further, a nearby year may be worth a look, especially if you can find a cleaner example with a lower asking price.

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