Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2009 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2011

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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: $34,801

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring   
Difference: $7,394

Lowest Total Invoice: $31,911

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring   
Difference: $6,743

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year200920092011
ModelExplorerExplorerForester
TrimEddie BauerLimited2.5 XT Touring
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $31,615 $35,550 $29,995
Base Invoice $29,319 $32,901 $28,084
Convenience Package 995    
Navigation system 2,505 1,995 1,600
4.6L V8 1,310 1,310  
All-weather floor mats 75 75 69
Remote start 385 385 432
Sunroof 850 850  
AWD 2,320 2,320  
255/50R20 1,325 630  
Utility Package     705
Auto-dimming rearview mirror     185
Universal garage door opener     93
Cargo cover     166
Obstacle detection, rear     363
Class II trailer hitch     468
Convenience Package 846    
Navigation system 2,129 1,696 1,335
4.6L V8 1,192 1,192  
All-weather floor mats 64 64 39
Remote start 327 327 324
Sunroof 723 723  
AWD 2,112 2,112  
255/50R20 1,127 536  
Utility Package     492
Auto-dimming rearview mirror     120
Universal garage door opener     61
Cargo cover     108
Obstacle detection, rear     272
Class II trailer hitch     351
Options (change) 9,765 7,565 4,081
Options (change) 8,520 6,650 3,102
Destination 815 815 725
Total Price $42,195 $43,930 $34,801
Total Invoice $38,654 $40,366 $31,911

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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 Touring
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $7,414
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $6,761
Model Year200920092011
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, 7140, 6
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/50-20255/50-20225/55-17
Total Price$42,195$43,930$34,801
Adjustments for Features0-1,500-20
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$42,195$42,430$34,781
Cost Above Minimum$0$235$0
Total Invoice$38,654$40,366$31,911
Adjustments for Features0-1,378-18
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$38,654$38,988$31,893
Cost Above Minimum$0$334$0

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year200920092011
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 
911 assist$25$25 
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
Trailer sway control$25$25 
Vehicle health reports$0$0 
Cargo Management 
Cargo cover$75 $75
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  
Rear air vents with manual controls $150 
Rear HVAC unit $400 
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
DVD-compatible player$0$0 
HD radio  $50
Media drive$15$15 
SMS text-to-speech reader$25$25 
Traffic + travel information$25$25 
Voice control for external devices$0$0 
Voice control for nav and audio$100$100 
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$50
Foldaway tray table, second row  $75
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$50$50 
Manual recliner, second row seats $75$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 
Power-folding third row seats $1000 
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Alloy wheels  $350
Polished alloy wheels$350$350 
Total Value of Features$6,290$7,790$6,310
Value of Feature Adjustments$0$1,500$20
Value of Feature Adjustments0-1,378-18

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year20092011
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

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, rear250Yes
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Dual-zone climate control125Yes
Total Requested70053%
Total Not Requested62547%
Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
DVD-compatible player0No
Voice control for nav and audio75No
Unbranded, 190W, 7 speakers (with subwoofer)350No
Media drive, large15No
Traffic + travel information25No
Total Requested60056%
Total Not Requested46544%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
DVD-compatible player0No
Voice control for nav and audio75No
Media drive, large15No
Traffic + travel information25No
Total Requested60084%
Total Not Requested11516%

Option Package Details
Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring

Auto-dimming rearview mirror
FeatureValueRequested?
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Compass0Yes
Total Requested150100%
Total Not Requested00%
Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
A/V input jacks25No
Kenwood, 140W, 6 speakers350No
Total Requested60062%
Total Not Requested37538%
Utility Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Roof rack crossbars50Yes
Mud guards75No
Rear bumper protector40Yes
Wheel-lip moldings75Yes
Total Requested16569%
Total Not Requested7531%

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