Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2009 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2008

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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: $30,681

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited   
Difference: $6,309

Lowest Total Invoice: $28,454

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited   
Difference: $5,587

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year2009200920092008
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerForester
TrimXLTEddie BauerLimited2.5 XT Limited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $28,470 $31,615 $35,550 $27,895
Base Invoice $26,458 $29,319 $32,901 $26,116
Leather seating surfaces 995      
Convenience Package 595      
Sun and SYNC Package 795      
4.6L V8 1,310 1,310 1,310  
Satellite radio 195     445
AWD 2,320 2,320 2,320  
Sport Package 1,495      
All-weather floor mats   75 75 55
Sunroof   850 850  
Convenience Package   995    
255/50R20   1,325 630  
Auto-dimming rearview mirror       183
4-speed automatic       1,000
Rear bumper protector       72
Universal garage door opener       87
Class II trailer hitch       299
Leather seating surfaces 846      
Convenience Package 506      
Sun and SYNC Package 675      
4.6L V8 1,192 1,192 1,192  
Satellite radio 166     334
AWD 2,112 2,112 2,112  
Sport Package 1,271      
All-weather floor mats   64 64 33
Sunroof   723 723  
Convenience Package   846    
255/50R20   1,127 536  
Auto-dimming rearview mirror       119
4-speed automatic       909
Rear bumper protector       47
Universal garage door opener       56
Class II trailer hitch       195
Options (change) 7,705 6,875 5,185 2,141
Options (change) 6,768 6,064 4,627 1,693
Destination 815 815 815 645
Total Price $36,990 $39,305 $41,550 $30,681
Total Invoice $34,041 $36,198 $38,343 $28,454

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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 2.5 XT Limited
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $5,204
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $4,570
Model Year2009200920092008
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerForester
TrimXLTEddie BauerLimited2.5 XT Limited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Engine292hp V8292hp V8292hp V8224hp H4
TransmissionA6A6A6A4
DrivetrainAWDAWDAWDAWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)13/19 MPG13/19 MPG13/19 MPG18/23 MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)80, 480, 4190, 7155, 7
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/50-20255/50-20255/50-20215/55-17
Total Price$36,990$39,305$41,550$30,681
Adjustments for Features-1,105-2,105-3,8050
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$35,885$37,200$37,745$30,681
Cost Above Minimum$0$1,315$1,860$0
Total Invoice$34,041$36,198$38,343$28,454
Adjustments for Features-1,017-1,939-3,5110
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$33,024$34,259$34,832$28,454
Cost Above Minimum$0$1,235$1,808$0

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year2009200920092008
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerForester
TrimXLTEddie BauerLimited2.5 XT Limited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Transmission and Drivetrain 
6-speed automatic$1000$1000$1000 
4-speed automatic   $800
AWD$1700$1700$1700$1700
Accessories 
Keyless entry keypad$50$50$50 
Power-adjustable pedals$125$125$125 
Universal garage door opener $100$100$100
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
911 assist$25$25$25 
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats   $0
Obstacle detection, rear$250$250$250 
Rollover sensor$50$50$50 
Side curtain airbags$350$350$350 
Trailer sway control$25$25$25 
Vehicle health reports$0$0$0 
Cargo Management 
Cargo cover$75$75 $75
Liftglass or two-piece tailgate$150$150$150 
Overhead sunglass holder   $25
Trailering equipment (4 wire)$125$125$125 
Climate Control 
Automatic climate control, front $200$200$200
Dual-zone climate control $125$125 
Interior air filter   $0
Rear air vents$100$100  
Rear air vents with manual controls  $150 
Rear HVAC unit  $400 
Wiper de-icer   $25
Drivetrain 
Limited-slip rear differential   $300
Exterior 
Bodyside cladding   $350
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)$25  $25
Deep-tinted rear windows$275$275$275 
Hood scoop   $100
Running boards$350$350$350 
Sunroof$900$900$900 
Sunroof, large   $1100
Wheel-lip moldings$75$75$75 
Infotainment 
Audio controls on steering wheel$125$125$125 
Bluetooth cell phone link$100$100$100 
CD changer, in-dash  $325$325
CD player$125$125  
SMS text-to-speech reader$25$25$25 
USB port$25$25$25 
Voice control for audio system$25$25$25 
Voice control for external devices$0$0$0 
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Automatic headlights$125$125$125 
Automatic-off headlights   $25
Heated mirrors $25$25$25
Illuminated visor mirror, driver$50$50$50 
Illuminated visor mirror, passenger$50$50$50 
Trip computer$150$150$150 
Turn signals on or near mirrors   $25
Visor mirror, driver   $10
Visor mirror, passenger   $10
Seats and Interior Trim 
Center armrest(s), second row  $50$50
Door sill trim plates   $100
Floor mats $75$75$75
Manual lumbar adjuster, driver seat   $50
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$50$50$50 
Manual recliner, second row seats  $75 
Memory system, driver seat $200$200 
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat $100$100 
Power height adjuster, passenger seat $100$100 
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seat$100$100$100 
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat $100$100 
Power-folding third row seats  $1000 
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Alloy wheels   $350
Polished alloy wheels$350$350$350 
Total Value of Features$6,950$7,950$9,650$5,845
Value of Feature Adjustments$1,105$2,105$3,805$0
Value of Feature Adjustments-1,017-1,939-3,5110

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year20092008
ModelExplorerForester
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV
Wheelbase113.7 in99.4 in
Length193.4 in176.6 in
Width73.7 in68.3 in
Height72.8 in65.0 in
Curb Weight4,706 lb.3,350 lb.
Fuel Capacity22.5 gal.15.9 gal.
Row 1 Headroom39.8 in39.8 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room59.0 in53.5 in
Row 1 Hip Room55.4 in51.6 in
Row 1 Legroom42.4 in43.6 in
Row 2 Headroom38.7 in39.7 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room58.9 in53.6 in
Row 2 Hip Room55.5 in51.6 in
Row 2 Legroom36.9 in33.7 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 ft332.0 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
43.9 ft332.0 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
83.7 ft357.7 ft3

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Option Package Details
Ford Explorer XLT

Leather seating surfaces
FeatureValueRequested?
Leather seating surfaces900Yes
Heated front seats200Yes
Power recliner, driver seat100Yes
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seat50No
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat50No
Total Requested120092%
Total Not Requested1008%
Convenience Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Automatic headlights125No
Obstacle detection, rear250No
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Compass0Yes
Keyless entry keypad50No
Total Requested15021%
Total Not Requested55079%
Sun and SYNC Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Voice control for external devices0No
SMS text-to-speech reader25No
USB port25No
Vehicle health reports0No
911 assist25No
Voice control for audio system25No
Bluetooth cell phone link100No
Total Requested90082%
Total Not Requested20018%
Sport Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Polished alloy wheels0No
All-weather floor mats75Yes
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)25Yes
Special exterior trim0No
Special interior trim0No
Running boards350No
255/50R20 tires400No
Total Requested10012%
Total Not Requested75088%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

Convenience Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Automatic climate control, front200Yes
Heated mirrors25Yes
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat100No
Universal garage door opener100Yes
Memory system, driver seat200No
Power height adjuster, passenger seat100No
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat100No
Obstacle detection, rear250No
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Dual-zone climate control125No
Total Requested32525%
Total Not Requested100075%

Option Package Details
Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited

Auto-dimming rearview mirror
FeatureValueRequested?
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Compass0Yes
Total Requested150100%
Total Not Requested00%
4-speed automatic
FeatureValueRequested?
4-speed automatic0Yes
Traction control100Yes
Stability control400Yes
Total Requested500100%
Total Not Requested00%

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