Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2008 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2018

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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: $38,804

Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring   
Difference: $1,476

Lowest Total Invoice: $35,863

Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring   
Difference: $1,125

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year200820082018
ModelExplorerExplorerForester
TrimEddie BauerLimited2.0XT Touring
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $29,245 $32,395 $36,090
Base Invoice $27,273 $30,178 $33,675
Luxury Package 1,290    
Navigation system 1,995 1,995  
Audiophile Package 510    
Sun and Sirius Package 560 560  
4.6L V8 1,310 1,310  
All-weather floor mats 55 55 81
Cargo cover 90 90  
Roof rack crossbars 115 115 181
Remote start 385 385 455
Obstacle detection, rear 295    
AWD 2,320 2,325  
255/50R20 1,325 630  
Auto-dimming rearview mirror     245
Rear bumper protector     98
Universal garage door opener     120
Class II trailer hitch     619
Luxury Package 1,097    
Navigation system 1,696 1,696  
Audiophile Package 433    
Sun and Sirius Package 476 476  
4.6L V8 1,192 1,192  
All-weather floor mats 47 47 52
Cargo cover 77 77  
Roof rack crossbars 97 97 117
Remote start 326 326 341
Obstacle detection, rear 251    
AWD 2,111 2,117  
255/50R20 1,127 536  
Auto-dimming rearview mirror     158
Rear bumper protector     63
Universal garage door opener     78
Class II trailer hitch     464
Options (change) 10,250 7,465 1,799
Options (change) 8,930 6,564 1,273
Destination 785 785 915
Total Price $40,280 $40,645 $38,804
Total Invoice $36,988 $37,527 $35,863

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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.

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TrueDelta Value Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice: Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $6,526
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $5,792
Model Year200820082018
ModelExplorerExplorerForester
TrimEddie BauerLimited2.0XT Touring
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Engine292hp V8292hp V8250hp H4
TransmissionA6A6CVT-8
DrivetrainAWDAWDAWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)13/19 MPG13/19 MPG23/27 MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)190, 7190, 7440, 8
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/50-20255/50-20225/55-18
Total Price$40,280$40,645$38,804
Adjustments for Features00-5,050
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$40,280$40,645$33,754
Cost Above Minimum$0$365$0
Total Invoice$36,988$37,527$35,863
Adjustments for Features00-4,667
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$36,988$37,527$31,196
Cost Above Minimum$0$539$0

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year200820082018
ModelExplorerExplorerForester
TrimEddie BauerLimited2.0XT Touring
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Transmission and Drivetrain 
6-speed automatic$1000$1000 
8-speed manually-shiftable CVT  $1100
AWD$1700$1700$1700
Accessories 
Adaptive cruise control  $600
Cruise control$150$150 
Heated steering wheel  $100
Keyless entry keypad$50$50 
Lead vehicle start alert  $25
PIN Code Access  $10
Power liftgate  $350
Power-adjustable pedals$125$125 
Proximity key  $250
Tilt steering wheel, manual$150$150 
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual  $250
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
Automatic braking, high-speed or partial  $200
Automatic braking, low-speed  $200
Backup collision intervention  $150
Blind spot warning system  $200
Brake assist  $50
Cross-traffic warning, rear  $100
Forward collision warning  $200
Full-size spare tire$225$225 
Hill descent control  $250
Knee airbag, driver  $75
Lane departure prevention, steering-based  $200
Lane departure warning  $200
Lane sway warning  $25
Pedestrian detection  $50
Radar- or camera-based collision preparation system  $0
Rearview camera  $200
Temporary spare tire  $150
Terrain selector  $200
Torque vectoring, brake-based  $100
Vehicle health reports  $0
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 
Bodyside cladding (gray/black)  $250
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)  $25
Rear spoiler  $200
Running boards$350$350 
Sunroof$900$900 
Sunroof, large  $1100
Wheel-lip moldings$75$75 
Infotainment 
App support  $0
Bluetooth audio streaming  $25
CD changer, in-dash$325$325 
CD player  $125
HD radio  $50
Navigation map updates, three years  $0
Siri Eyes Free support  $0
Telematics service, such as OnStar  $200
Traffic + travel information  $25
Voice control for external devices$0$0 
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Auto-dimming headlights  $200
Interior ambient lighting  $150
LED headlights  $1000
Steering-linked headlights  $150
Turn signals on or near mirrors  $25
Seats and Interior Trim 
Center armrest(s), second row  $50
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$50$50 
Manual recliner, second row seats  $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 
Sport suspension (upgrade)  $0
Transmission 
Steering-wheel-mounted transmission controls  $100
Total Value of Features$6,125$6,125$11,175
Value of Feature Adjustments$0$0$5,050
Value of Feature Adjustments00-4,667

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year20082018
ModelExplorerForester
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV
Wheelbase113.7 in103.9 in
Length193.4 in180.9 in
Width73.7 in70.7 in
Height72.8 in66.4 in
Curb Weight4,706 lb.3,653 lb.
Fuel Capacity22.5 gal.15.9 gal.
Row 1 Headroom39.8 in41.4 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room59.0 in57.0 in
Row 1 Hip Room55.4 in53.9 in
Row 1 Legroom42.4 in43.0 in
Row 2 Headroom38.7 in39.8 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room58.9 in56.5 in
Row 2 Hip Room55.5 in53.0 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 ft334.4 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
43.9 ft334.4 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
83.7 ft374.7 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 seat200Yes
Power height adjuster, passenger seat100No
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat100No
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Dual-zone climate control125Yes
Total Requested85067%
Total Not Requested42533%
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 2.0XT Touring

Auto-dimming rearview mirror
FeatureValueRequested?
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Compass0Yes
Total Requested150100%
Total Not Requested00%

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