Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2008 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2012

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Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester Price Comparison (MSRP)

The sticker prices, before adjusting for remaining feature differences. Usually these are the numbers you will see on the window stickers.

Models in short supply often sell at or even above these prices.

Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester Invoice Comparison

Lowest Total Price: $34,151

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring   
Difference: $6,129

Lowest Total Invoice: $31,422

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring   
Difference: $5,566

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year200820082012
ModelExplorerExplorerForester
TrimEddie BauerLimited2.5 XT Touring
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $29,245 $32,395 $29,895
Base Invoice $27,273 $30,178 $27,992
Luxury Package 1,290    
Navigation system 1,995 1,995 1,000
Audiophile Package 510    
Sun and Sirius Package 560 560  
4.6L V8 1,310 1,310  
All-weather floor mats 55 55 69
Cargo cover 90 90 166
Roof rack crossbars 115 115  
Obstacle detection, rear 295   363
Remote start 385 385 432
AWD 2,320 2,325  
255/50R20 1,325 630  
Utility Package     705
Auto-dimming rearview mirror     185
Universal garage door opener     93
Class II trailer hitch     468
Luxury Package 1,097    
Navigation system 1,696 1,696 888
Audiophile Package 433    
Sun and Sirius Package 476 476  
4.6L V8 1,192 1,192  
All-weather floor mats 47 47 39
Cargo cover 77 77 108
Roof rack crossbars 97 97  
Obstacle detection, rear 251   272
Remote start 326 326 324
AWD 2,111 2,117  
255/50R20 1,127 536  
Utility Package     492
Auto-dimming rearview mirror     120
Universal garage door opener     61
Class II trailer hitch     351
Options (change) 10,250 7,465 3,481
Options (change) 8,930 6,564 2,655
Destination 785 785 775
Total Price $40,280 $40,645 $34,151
Total Invoice $36,988 $37,527 $31,422

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While we strive for accuracy, the site is not error-free, and prices can change at any time.

Dealer Price Quotes

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Request free, no-obligation Ford Explorer dealer quotes or Subaru Forester dealer quotes from dealers using our car quote form.

The process is easy and takes just a minute or two. You'll receive price quotes from local approved dealers within 48 hours.

TrueDelta Value Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice: Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $6,214
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $5,644
Model Year200820082012
ModelExplorerExplorerForester
TrimEddie BauerLimited2.5 XT Touring
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Engine292hp V8292hp V8224hp H4
TransmissionA6A6T4
DrivetrainAWDAWDAWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)13/19 MPG13/19 MPG19/24 MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)190, 7190, 7?, 7
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/50-20255/50-20225/55-17
Total Price$40,280$40,645$34,151
Adjustments for Features00-85
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$40,280$40,645$34,066
Cost Above Minimum$0$365$0
Total Invoice$36,988$37,527$31,422
Adjustments for Features00-78
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$36,988$37,527$31,344
Cost Above Minimum$0$539$0

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year200820082012
ModelExplorerExplorerForester
TrimEddie BauerLimited2.5 XT Touring
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Transmission and Drivetrain 
6-speed automatic$1000$1000 
4-speed manually-shiftable automatic  $900
AWD$1700$1700$1700
Accessories 
Keyless entry keypad$50$50 
Power-adjustable pedals$125$125 
Tilt steering wheel, manual$150$150 
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual  $250
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats  $0
Brake assist  $50
Full-size spare tire$225$225 
Rearview camera  $200
Temporary spare tire  $150
Cargo Management 
Cargo tray  $40
Liftglass or two-piece tailgate$150$150 
Overhead sunglass holder  $25
Trailering equipment (4 wire)$125$125 
Climate Control 
Interior air filter  $0
Rear air vents$100$100 
Wiper de-icer  $25
Exterior 
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)  $25
Hood scoop  $100
Rear spoiler  $200
Running boards$350$350 
Sunroof$900$900 
Sunroof, large  $1100
Infotainment 
Bluetooth audio streaming  $25
CD changer, in-dash$325$325 
CD player  $125
HD radio  $50
SMS text-to-speech reader$25$25 
Traffic information  $25
Voice control for external devices$0$0 
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Automatic headlights$125$125 
Automatic-off headlights  $25
Illuminated visor mirror, driver$50$50 
Illuminated visor mirror, passenger$50$50 
Interior ambient lighting  $150
Turn signals on or near mirrors  $25
Visor mirror, driver  $10
Visor mirror, passenger  $10
Xenon HID headlights  $500
Seats and Interior Trim 
Center armrest(s), second row  $50
Foldaway tray table, second row  $75
Manual height adjuster, passenger seat  $50
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$50$50 
Manual recliner, second row seats  $75
Memory system, driver seat$200$200 
Metal pedals  $75
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat$100$100 
Power height adjuster, passenger seat$100$100 
Power release, second row seats  $50
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat$100$100 
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Alloy wheels  $350
Polished alloy wheels$350$350 
Total Value of Features$6,350$6,350$6,435
Value of Feature Adjustments$0$0$85
Value of Feature Adjustments00-78

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year20082012
ModelExplorerForester
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV
Wheelbase113.7 in103.0 in
Length193.4 in179.5 in
Width73.7 in70.1 in
Height72.8 in65.9 in
Curb Weight4,706 lb.3,440 lb.
Fuel Capacity22.5 gal.16.9 gal.
Row 1 Headroom39.8 in41.6 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room59.0 in56.1 in
Row 1 Hip Room55.4 in0.0 in
Row 1 Legroom42.4 in43.1 in
Row 2 Headroom38.7 in40.0 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room58.9 in55.6 in
Row 2 Hip Room55.5 in0.0 in
Row 2 Legroom36.9 in38.0 in
Row 3 Headroom37.4 in0.0 in
Row 3 Shoulder Room53.1 in0.0 in
Row 3 Hip Room45.3 in0.0 in
Row 3 Legroom34.9 in0.0 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
13.6 ft333.5 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
43.9 ft333.5 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
83.7 ft368.3 ft3

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Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

Luxury Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Automatic climate control, front200Yes
Heated mirrors25Yes
Heated front seats200Yes
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat100No
Universal garage door opener100Yes
Memory system, driver seat200No
Power height adjuster, passenger seat100No
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat100No
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Dual-zone climate control125Yes
Total Requested65051%
Total Not Requested62549%
Audiophile Package
FeatureValueRequested?
CD changer, in-dash200No
Unbranded, 190W, 7 speakers (with subwoofer)350No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested550100%
Sun and Sirius Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Satellite radio200Yes
Total Requested1100100%
Total Not Requested00%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

Sun and Sirius Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Satellite radio200Yes
Total Requested1100100%
Total Not Requested00%

Option Package Details
Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring

Auto-dimming rearview mirror
FeatureValueRequested?
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Compass0Yes
Total Requested150100%
Total Not Requested00%
Utility Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Roof rack crossbars50Yes
Mud guards75No
Rear bumper protector40Yes
Wheel-lip moldings75Yes
Total Requested16569%
Total Not Requested7531%
Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
Satellite radio200Yes
Voice control for nav and audio100Yes
Traffic information25No
Total Requested90097%
Total Not Requested253%

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