Ford Explorer vs Subaru Ascent
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 Subaru Ascent
Overview
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | Premium |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 (best) | $40,795 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,302 (best) | $12,980 |
| Median listing price | $45,275 | $32,000 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $64,810 | $54,499 (best) |
| For sale now | 643 (best) | 47 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG (best) | — |
| City MPG | 20 MPG (best) | — |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | — |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal | 19.3 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp (best) | 260 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft (best) | 277 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.3 L | 2.4 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats | 7 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft (best) | 75.6 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs (best) | 5,000 lbs |
| Curb weight | — | 4,450 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (best) | 113.8 in |
| Length | 198.8 in (best) | 196.8 in |
| Width | 78.9 in (best) | 76 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | 71.6 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Subaru AscentPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Explorer | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Premium $40,795 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | Premium $40,795 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | Limited $47,985 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | Limited $47,985 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | Limited Bronze Edition $49,095 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | Touring $51,165 MSRP |
| 7 | Tremor $49,200 MSRP | Onyx Edition Touring $51,995 MSRP |
| 8 | Tremor $56,460 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Platinum $50,660 MSRP | — |
| 10 | Platinum $52,660 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST $53,660 MSRP | — |
| 12 | ST $55,660 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Explorer643 for sale
See all
Used2024 Ford Explorer
Timberline
White Metallic•Deep Cypress12,064 mi$38,246Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
Carbonized Gray Metallic4,535 mi$42,852J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
Carbonized Gray Metallic•Dark Space Gray4 mi$39,960J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
Vapor Blue Metallic•Ultra Dark Space Gray3,845 mi$38,919J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Vapor Blue Metallic4,754 mi$51,942J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
White Metallic•Dark Space Gray2,582 mi$43,878J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
Subaru Ascent47 for sale
See all
Certified2023 Subaru Ascent
Onyx Edition Limited
Autumn Green Metallic•gray44,041 mi$33,289Grand Forks Kia
Grand Forks, ND
Certified2025 Subaru Ascent
Limited
Ice Silver Metallic•Slate Black5,512 mi$38,395Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2024 Subaru Ascent
Touring
Cosmic Blue Pearl•Java Brown27,227 mi$36,300Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Used2020 Subaru Ascent
Touring
Gray Metallic•Java111,074 mi$18,740Bob Boyte Honda Moss Point
Moss Point, MS
Used2023 Subaru Ascent
Onyx Edition
Cosmic Blue Pearl•gray43,384 mi$32,516Fred Anderson Toyota of Asheville
Asheville, NC
Used2022 Subaru Ascent
Touring
Ice Silver Metallic•Slate Black43,454 mi$26,814Venice Toyota
Venice, FL
Ford Explorer vs Subaru Ascent FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2027 Subaru Ascent on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $10,302. Live Subaru Ascent listings start at $12,980.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (24).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2027 Subaru Ascent leads on seats in this comparison (8).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2027 Subaru Ascent?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,600).