It’s practical, reliable, and fuel-efficient, making it the go-to choice for responsible drivers in urban and suburban areas. But it wasn’t always like that. The first generation was a more trail-friendly, all-wheel-drive rugged vehicle. Over the years, Ford has made it into a family-friendly, comfy ride.

Are you on the fence about buying a used Ford Escape? EchoPark, home of used vehicles, can help you find one. Our easy search tool will find the make, model and trim you’re looking for.

About Ford Escape

Ford released the very first Ford Escape back in 2001, which was developed with Mazda. It was also an early adopter of hybrid technology, with the hybrid trim introduced in 2005.

As a compact SUV, the Ford Escape offers five seats and decent cargo space. With more recent models, Ford has managed to bring the car’s weight down while increasing its size, giving the cabin a roomier feel.

Since 2020, the Ford Escape has been in its fourth generation and has seen various shake-ups in its trim offerings:

2009 introduced the plug-in hybrid, which had an exclusive trim.
2020 to 2022 offered the S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims.
2023 showcased the Base, Active, ST-Line, and Platinum trims. The following year, the Base trim was dropped, making Active the entry-level trim.

Front-wheel drive is standard on base trims like Base and Active, with the option of all-wheel drive. However, all-wheel drive technology, AWD Disconnect, is standard. All trims in the recent generation have eight-speed automatic transmissions.

The Ford Escape has several engine options, including 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5-liter Ecoboost engines. Overall, the Ford Escape is among the most affordable compact crossovers, offering great value for your money with its efficient engine, modern interior, and easy drive.

Key Features

Here are three features that make the Ford Escape a desirable ride, especially for city drivers.

Ecoboost Engines

Ford Escape models have featured Ecoboost engines since the third generation was introduced in 2013. This technology delivers great fuel efficiency because of direct injection and is also eco-friendly, with lower emissions than its predecessor.

Ecoboost engines have only improved over the years. With the 2023 refresh, their emissions were reduced further to meet environmental standards.

Spacious Interior

With the exception of the first few model years, the Ford Escape has long been a roomy vehicle. It provides a comfortable and adaptable interior with ample space for passengers and cargo. This makes it suitable for families, road trips, or hauling everyday essentials. Folding rear seats further enhances rear cargo capacity. The fourth-generation models have strategically added space to make the ride more comfortable.

All-Wheel Drive

Since the third generation of the Ford Escape was introduced in 2013, all-wheel drive has been an option on most trims. It was offered for SE, SEL, and Titanium trims.

The all-wheel drivetrain offers a seamless experience, particularly in harsh weather conditions. The system switches from front-wheel drive to all-wheel when it detects loss of traction. With all-wheel drive, power also goes to the rear wheels, which results in better traction.

Performance

The Ford Escape’s performance leans more toward efficiency. Still, its 181-hp 1.5-liter engine shows a decent acceleration time of just under eight seconds (from zero to 60 miles). As you go up the trim levels, the performance improves slightly.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Ford Escape does well even without the hybrid gasoline package. The base trim model from 2023 has an EPA-rated combined average of 30 miles per gallon, which is higher than other popular compact crossovers like the Mazda CX-5 or Volkswagen Tiguan. Older models have comparatively lower fuel economy. For example, the 2018 Ford Escape’s base trim delivers 26 miles per gallon combined city and highway MPG.

All-wheel drive is recommended if you want better performance on winter roads. The plug-in hybrid is the answer for those looking for the ultimate savings in running costs.

Safety

The Ford Escape is a very safe vehicle with all the essential safety features and then some. The Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite (introduced in 2021) has your back when driving in traffic or on the highway. The Assist+ package makes the car even safer with advanced features. But even before this driver assistance suite came around, the Ford Escape offered decent safety features. For instance, the 2017 models featured convenient adaptive cruise control and lane departure prevention.

The Ford Escape even won an award for safety, with the 2020 model bagging the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick. It has also consistently received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Alternatives

These two models are the main competitors to used Ford Escapes:

Mazda CX-5: If you want a more engaging driving experience and a touch of luxury, the Mazda CX-5 should be your pick. Mazda vehicles are known for their sporty, responsive drive. Plus, the more recent CX-5 models feature a stylish exterior that rivals luxury crossovers. But all that comes at the expense of a relatively lower fuel economy. Also, there’s no hybrid option with the CX-5.
Toyota RAV4: At a price point comparable to the Ford Escape, the Toyota RAV4 is also a viable option for families looking for a spacious and fuel-efficient compact crossover. It’s from Toyota, so it will last a lifetime, even with less-than-optimal maintenance. Its base model is a bit basic compared to the Ford Escape, which packs more technology bells and whistles. If driver assistance features are a priority, you’ll want to go with a higher trim.

Buy a Used Ford Escape at EchoPark

Hesitation is understandable when buying a used vehicle. That's why EchoPark offers a Happiness Guarantee. Don’t love it? Bring it back in 7 day or 250 miles for a full refund*. That’s our motto.

EchoPark offers tested and inspected used Ford Escapes for sale, along with many other options in the compact crossover SUV class. Before making the final call, read the detailed inspection report and test-drive the vehicle to get a taste of its drive and features.

* Return the vehicle to EchoPark in the same condition within 7 days or 250 mi, whichever comes first, for a refund of the purchase price.

¹ Vehicle must be in the same condition as described. If you sell to us within 48 hours of receiving our offer, we'll tack on an extra $250, and if not, our offer is still good for 7 days or 500 miles, whichever comes first.

Scheduling a test drive does not reserve the vehicle. It will remain in our inventory and may be sold prior to your scheduled test drive. An Experience Guide will contact you to confirm your appointment.

Fuel efficiency actual rating will vary with options, driving conditions, habits and vehicle condition. All fuel efficiency estimates are supplied by the original manufacturer or other reliable sources. Payment estimator calculations are for reference purposes only.

We have taken reasonable efforts to ensure display of accurate data; however, the information shown may contain errors and omissions, may not reflect all vehicle items and accessories, and errors with regard to pricing may occur. All displayed inventory is subject to prior sale and all prices expire at midnight on the date displayed. Price shown is for the state in which Dealer is physically located and if transferred to another state, the price may change. Dealer is not responsible for any errors but should be consulted in person to confirm the information on this page.

Vehicles may be subject to unrepaired manufacturer recalls. Please contact the manufacturer or a dealer for that line make for recall assistance/questions or check the national highway traffic safety administration website for current recall information before purchasing.