Compare the2025 Subaru AscentVS 2025 Ford Explorer

The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Explorer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard EyeSight, the Subaru Ascent is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Ford Explorer, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ascent. But it costs extra on the Explorer.

Both the Ascent and the Explorer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Ford Explorer:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Ford Explorer:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ascent’s reliability 14 points higher than the Explorer.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Ford With 41 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Ford.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 16 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Explorer doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the Explorer:

The Ascent has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank (19.3 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Ascent has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Explorer. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Explorer doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Ascent’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Explorer ST are solid, not vented.

The Ascent stops much shorter than the Explorer:

The Ascent Premium’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Explorer’s standard 65 series tires.

The Ascent Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the Explorer 4WD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ascent Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Explorer 4WD (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Explorer (8.7 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Ascent’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Explorer Platinum (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Ascent Limited is quieter than the Explorer ST 4WD:

The Ascent offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Explorer can only carry up to 7.

The Ascent has .5 inches more front headroom, 5 inches more third row hip room and 2.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Explorer.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ascent’s middle and third row seats recline. The Explorer’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Ascent’s cargo area provides more volume than the Explorer.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 42% lower rating, Ford is ranked 26th.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Ascent’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Explorer’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

When the Ascent Limited/Touring/Bronze is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Explorer’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Subaru Ascent has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Ford charges extra for Homelink® on the Explorer.

Insurance will cost less for the Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $740 less than the Explorer over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Ascent is less expensive to operate than the Explorer because typical repairs cost much less on the Ascent than the Explorer, including $27 less for a water pump, $523 less for a muffler, $11 less for a fuel pump, $569 less for a timing belt/chain and $750 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Ascent, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Explorer isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its May 2020 issue and they ranked the Subaru Ascent Touring six places higher than the Ford Explorer Active.