The 2013 Ford Escape’s trim levels start with the base S and its standard 2.5L inline-four engine, and ends with the luxurious Titanium trim that gets up to 240 horsepower with its 2.0L EcoBoost. The SE’s keyless entry, and SEL’s massive infotainment screen provide decent tech features.
Key Points
- The 2013 Ford Escape S is the standard trim level and is powered by a 2.5L inline-four engine capable of 168 horsepower. Pricing starts around $7,500, per Kelley Blue Book’s January 2022 figures.
- For as little as a few hundred dollars more, used examples in SE trim can be found, which offer added engine options, like the 1.6L EcoBoost, as well as premium seats and keyless entry.
- SEL models get a massive eight-inch infotainment screen, nine speakers, and 18-inch wheels. Expect to spend roughly $1,500 to $2,000 more for an SEL over an SE.
- Titanium Escapes comes standard with the 2.0L EcoBoost, a 240-hp engine that delivers solid performance. Leather seating is standard, but the most advanced tech comes in optional add-on packages.
2013 Ford Escape S Trim is a Practical Option with Automatic Door Locks and Keyless Entry, but Otherwise, it’s Nothing Special, Starts Around $7,500
The base trim for the 2013 Ford Escape is known simply as the S. It’s as barebones you can get with a compact crossover. Power under the hood comes from a 2.5L inline-four with 168 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque, all of it reaching the front pair of 17-inch steel wheels via a six-speed automatic.
The performance may not be there, but air conditioning is standard, along with a full suite of airbags. Tire pressure monitoring, disc brakes all around, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo system with six speakers, cloth seats, and automatic door locks with keyless entry also come standard on the S trim level.
The only significant upgrade is the $258 Sync with MyFord Touch infotainment system. And befitting of its status, a 2013 Ford Escape S with 110,911 miles can be had for anywhere between $7,556 and $9,899, per Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Market Range.
2013 Ford Escape SE Includes Two Optional EcoBoost Engine Upgrades, Offers Up to 33 mpg Highway
The next step up along the 2013 Ford Escape ladder is the SE trim level. And what a step it is. This is the trim where the turbocharged EcoBoost engines take over for the 2.5L Duratec naturally aspirated inline-four.
The smaller of the two is the 1.6L turbo-four with 178 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. In exchange for the slight bump in performance over the Duratec, a reward of 23 mpg in the city, 33 on the highway is bestowed.
Those who seek even more power, though, can do so by upgrading to the 2.0L turbo-four with 231 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. No matter which engine is chosen, the turbocharged units can either send their power through the six-speed auto to the 17-inch alloy wheels.
The SE trim also adds automatic headlights, a 4.2-inch touchscreen, and voice-activated Sync. The Kelley Blue Book Fair Market Range for the trim level with 110,911 miles falls between $7,773 and $10,184.
2013 Ford Escape SEL Stacks up Amenities, Including Eight-inch Touchscreen, Optional Sony Sound System
The optional 18-inch aluminum wheels on the SE trim come standard on the SEL. Engine options remain the pair of EcoBoost turbocharged inline-fours. The biggest upgrade, though, involves the Sync’s home. Instead of a 4.2-inch screen, a generous eight-inch touchscreen unit houses the infotainment system. SiriusXM comes standard on the stereo system, which comes with nine speakers at this trim level.
Occupants can also enjoy leather seating, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The driver receives a leather-wrapped steering wheel with matching leather and chrome shifter knob, plus automatic windows for trips to the drive-thru or toll booth.
Options include a Sony 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, automatic parking, and hands-free liftgate. A fine example of the 2013 Ford Escape SEL with 110,911 miles can be had for anywhere between $9,451 to $11,767, according to Kelley Blue Book.
2013 Escape Titanium Trim Costs as Much as $13,148 and Features Hands-free Liftgate and 19-inch Painted Aluminum Wheels
The final trim level for the 2013 Ford Escape is the Titanium. For consumers seeking the best example of the compact crossover, the Titanium is it. Here, there’s only the 2.0L EcoBoost turbo-four to drive the front or all wheels.
However, it gets a bump in horsepower, to the tune of 240 horses; torque remains the same at 270 lb.-ft. The wheels are now 19-inch painted aluminum units. Also unique to the Titanium, the hands-free liftgate can be activated simply by waving your foot below the rear bumper of the SUV.
Inside, the 10-speaker Sony AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo system with HD Radio that was optional on the SEL is standard on the Titanium. The front buckets are trimmed in leather and come with heating for those cold winter days. Xenon headlights brighten the darkness, while the panoramic sunroof welcomes views of the sky any time of day or night.
The only options at this point include the Parking Technology Package (with rain-sensing wipers), the Smokers Package, and the Class II Towing Package. A 2013 Ford Escape Titanium on the lot today with 110,911 miles will set consumers back $10,628 to $13,148, per the KBB.
All Four 2013 Ford Escape Trims Have Their Strengths, but Titanium’s Minimal Price Spread is Where the Value’s At
While the base S trim is fine for getting into 2013 Escape, you might as well go for the SE for a few hundred dollars more. At just $3,000 to $3,500 over the S, the number of amenities you get makes in a Titanium, though, a no-brainer, especially the available EcoBoost engines. The Titanium is also the only model to get the foot-activated hands-free liftgate, which is great for running errands when your hands are full.
Photos: Ford
