News
Features
New Cars
Used Cars
Shopping Tools
2020 Awards
  1. Home
  2. Compare Cars
  3. Compare Ford Explorer vs Subaru Forester

Compare Ford Explorer vs Subaru Forester

Ford Explorer
2021 Ford Explorer
Select configuration:
$32,225
Starting Price (MSRP)
8.3
Ford Explorer For Sale Ford Explorer Full Review
Change Car
Subaru Forester
2021 Subaru Forester
Select configuration:
$24,795
Starting Price (MSRP)
8.6
Subaru Forester For Sale Subaru Forester Full Review
Change Car
Acura MDX Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Audi Q7 BMW X5 BMW X6 Buick Enclave Cadillac XT6 Chevrolet Blazer Chevrolet Equinox Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Traverse Dodge Durango Dodge Journey Ford Edge Ford Escape Ford Explorer Hybrid Genesis GV80 GMC Terrain GMC Yukon Hyundai Santa Fe Infiniti QX60 Jaguar F-Pace Jeep Cherokee Jeep Grand Cherokee Kia Sorento Land Rover Discovery Land Rover Range Rover Land Rover Range Rover Sport Lexus GX Lexus RX Lexus RX Hybrid Lincoln Aviator Lincoln Nautilus Mazda CX-9 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV Nissan Armada Nissan Murano Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Rogue Subaru Ascent Subaru Outback Toyota 4Runner Toyota Highlander Volkswagen Atlas Volvo XC90 Volvo XC90 Recharge
Select Car

Overview

Engine
2.3L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Engine
2.5L Flat 4 Gas
Transmission
10-Speed Automatic
Transmission
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel Economy
City: 21 MPG
Hwy: 28 MPG
Fuel Economy
City: 26 MPG
Hwy: 33 MPG
Fuel Tank Capacity
18.6 gallons
Fuel Tank Capacity
16.6 gallons
Seating Capacity
7 seater
Seating Capacity
5 seater

Photos

Ford Explorer
2020-2021 Ford Explorer Driving Back View
2020-2021 Ford Explorer Front Seats
23
More
Subaru Forester
2019-2021 Subaru Forester Rear View Driving
2019-2021 Subaru Forester Dashboard
42
More

Performance Specs

Engine and Transmission

Engine
2.3L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
2.5L Flat 4 Gas
Horsepower
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Transmission
10-Speed Automatic
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive

Weight and Towing

Curb Weight
4,345 lbs
3,449 lbs
Maximum Towing Capacity
5,300 lbs
1,500 lbs

Fuel and MPG

Fuel Economy

Combined
24 MPG
29 MPG
City
21 MPG
26 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
33 MPG

Emissions

CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.4 Tons/yr
6.1 Tons/yr

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity
18.6 gallons
16.6 gallons
Cruising Range City
390.6 miles
431.6 miles
Cruising Range Highway
520.8 miles
547.8 miles

Dimensions and Measurement

Exterior Dimensions

Length
198.8 in
182.1 in
Height
70.2 in
67.5 in
Max Width
78.9 in
71.5 in
Front Width
66.9 in
61.6 in
Rear Width
66.9 in
61.8 in
Wheelbase
119.1 in
105.1 in
Ground Clearance
8.2 in
8.7 in

Interior Space

Seating Capacity
7 seater
5 seater
Front Seat Leg Room
43 in
43.3 in
Front Seat Headroom
40.7 in
41.2 in
Front Seat Shoulder Room
61.8 in
58.2 in
Front Seat Hip Room
59.2 in
54.1 in
Rear Seat Leg Room
39 in
39.4 in
Rear Seat Headroom
40.5 in
39.6 in
Rear Seat Shoulder Room
61.9 in
57.2 in
Rear Seat Hip Room
59.1 in
53.6 in
Third Row Leg Room
32.2 in
N/A
Third Row Headroom
38.9 in
N/A
Third Row Shoulder Room
54.6 in
N/A
Third Row Hip Room
40.9 in
N/A

Cargo Space

Cargo Volume to Seat 1
87.8 ft³
76.1 ft³
Cargo Volume to Seat 2
47.9 ft³
31.1 ft³
Cargo Volume to Seat 3
18.2 ft³
31.1 ft³

Wheels and Suspension

Steering

Steering Type
Rack-Pinion
Rack-Pinion
Turning Diameter
N/A
35.4 ft

Wheels

Wheels Type
Aluminum Wheels
Steel Wheels
Front Wheel Size
18" x 7.5"
17" x 7"
Rear Wheel Size
18" x 7.5"
17" x 7"

Suspension

Front Suspension
Strut
Strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Double Wishbone

Tires

Front Tire
P255/65HR18
P225/60HR17
Rear Tire
P255/65HR18
P225/60HR17
Spare Tire
Compact
Compact

Colors and Materials

Standard Exterior Colors

  • Agate Black Metallic
  • Carbonized Gray Metallic
  • Iconic Silver Metallic
  • Oxford White
  • Crystal Black Silica
  • Crystal White Pearl
  • Horizon Blue Pearl
  • Ice Silver Metallic
  • Jasper Green Metallic
  • Magnetite Gray Metallic

Standard Interior Materials

N/A
  • Black, Cloth Upholstery
  • Gray, Cloth Upholstery

Features and Options

Infotainment

HD Radio
Not Available
Standard
Bluetooth Connection
Standard
Standard
Hard Disk Drive Media Storage
Standard
Not Available
Satellite Radio
Standard
Standard
Smart Device Integration
Standard
Standard
WiFi Hotspot
Standard
Not Available
Auxiliary Audio Input
Standard
Standard
MP3 Player
Standard
Standard

Interior Trim

Bucket Seats
Standard
Standard
Cloth Seats
Standard
Standard
Leather Seats
Not Available
Standard
Premium Synthetic Seats
Not Available
Standard
Vinyl Seats
Not Available
Standard

Comfort

Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Standard
Standard
Power Liftgate
Standard
Not Available
Power Mirror(s)
Standard
Standard
A/C
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Climate Control
Standard
Standard
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Multi-Zone A/C
Standard
Not Available
Power Driver Seat
Standard
Not Available
Remote Engine Start
Standard
Not Available
Remote Trunk Release
Standard
Not Available
Rear A/C
Standard
Not Available
Telematics
Standard
Not Available

Safety

Safety Features

Back-Up Camera
Standard
Standard
Cross-Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Aid
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist
Standard
Standard
ABS
Standard
Standard
Tire Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard

US NHTSA crash test result

Overall Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Side Crash Rating
Rollover Rating

Airbags

Driver Air Bag
Standard
Standard
Front Head Air Bag
Standard
Standard
Front Side Air Bag
Standard
Standard
Knee Air Bag
Standard
Standard
Passenger Air Bag
Standard
Standard
Rear Head Air Bag
Standard
Standard

Warranty

Warranty Summary

Basic
3 Years / 36,000 Miles
3 Years / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion
5 Years / Unlimited Miles
5 Years / Unlimited Miles
Drivetrain
5 Years / 60,000 Miles
5 Years / 60,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance
5 Years / 60,000 Miles
3 Years / 36,000 Miles
Now Buzzing
Most Outrageous New Car Markups In Recent History
Car Culture
Most Outrageous New Car Markups In Recent History
Ford CEO Issues Warning To Electric Car Industry
Electric Vehicles
Ford CEO Issues Warning To Electric Car Industry
This Company Will Build An Insanely Detailed Scale Model Of Your Car
Industry News
This Company Will Build An Insanely Detailed Scale Model Of Your Car
Land Rover Defender V8 Pricing Is Outrageous
Pricing
Land Rover Defender V8 Pricing Is Outrageous
Hardcore Offroader Battle: Land Rover Defender V8 Vs. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
Comparison
Hardcore Offroader Battle: Land Rover Defender V8 Vs. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Pricing Goes From Mainstream To Luxury
Pricing
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Pricing Goes From Mainstream To Luxury
Ford Explorer
Best Comparisons
Subaru Forester
Best Comparisons
  • Popular Tags
  • Cars
By Make
Acura Alfa Romeo Apollo Automobil Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lotus Lucid Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce smart Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo
By Car Type
SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars
By Price
Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K