Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2020 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2009

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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: $31,681

Subaru Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean / Limited   
Difference: $20,284

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year20202020202020092009
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerForesterForester
TrimLimitedSTPlatinum2.5 X L.L. Bean / Limited2.5 XT Limited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $48,380 $54,740 $58,250 $25,995 $28,195
Trailer Tow Package - Class II 395        
All-weather floor mats 120 120 120 69 69
Cargo cover 130 130 130 166 166
Panoramic sunroof 1,695 1,695      
Auto-dimming rearview mirror       183 183
Bodyside moldings       238 238
Rear bumper protector       78 78
Universal garage door opener       82 82
iPod integration       223 223
Rear spoiler       367  
Wheel-lip moldings       432 432
Remote start       432 432
Satellite radio       453 453
Class II trailer hitch       468 468
Navigation system       1,800 1,800
Trailer Tow Package - Class II 375        
All-weather floor mats 114 114 114 39 39
Cargo cover 124 124 124 108 108
Panoramic sunroof 1,610 1,610      
Auto-dimming rearview mirror       119 119
Bodyside moldings       155 155
Rear bumper protector       51 51
Universal garage door opener       54 54
iPod integration       145 145
Rear spoiler       275  
Wheel-lip moldings       324 324
Remote start       324 324
Satellite radio       340 340
Class II trailer hitch       351 351
Navigation system       1,647 1,650
Options (change) 2,340 1,945 250 4,991 4,624
Options (change) 2,223 1,848 238 3,932 3,660
Destination 1,245 1,245 1,245 695 695
Total Price $51,965 $57,930 $59,745 $31,681 $33,514

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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: Subaru Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean / Limited
Lowest Adjusted Invoice: Ford Explorer Platinum
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $13,974
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $27,799
Model Year20202020202020092009
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerForesterForester
TrimLimitedSTPlatinum2.5 X L.L. Bean / Limited2.5 XT Limited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Engine300hp I4400hp V6365hp V6170hp H4224hp H4
TransmissionT10T10T10T4T4
DrivetrainRWDAWDAWDAWDAWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)390, 12390, 12500, 12140, 6140, 6
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/55-20255/55-20255/55-20225/55-17225/55-17
Total Price$51,965$57,930$59,745$31,681$33,514
Adjustments for Features-6,310-7,385-13,1000-235
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$45,655$50,545$46,645$31,681$33,279
Cost Above Minimum$0$4,890$990$0$1,598

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year20202020202020092009
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerForesterForester
TrimLimitedSTPlatinum2.5 X L.L. Bean / Limited2.5 XT Limited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Transmission and Drivetrain 
10-speed manually-shiftable automatic$1500$1500$1500  
4-speed manually-shiftable automatic   $900$900
RWD$0    
AWD $1700$1700$1700$1700
Accessories 
AC power outlet$100 $100  
Active noise reduction  $0  
Adaptive cruise control  $600  
Cruise control$150$150 $150$150
Hands-free trunk or liftgate$100$100$100  
Heated steering wheel$100$100$100  
Keyless entry keypad$50$50$50  
Power liftgate$350$350$350  
Power-adjustable pedals  $125  
Proximity key$250$250$250  
Remote app$25$25$25  
Remote climate control$25$25$25  
Remote window/roof operation$15 $15  
Semi-automated parking system  $500  
Tilt steering wheel, manual   $150 
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual $250  $250
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power$350 $350  
Universal garage door opener$100 $100$100$100
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
911 assist$25$25$25  
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats   $0$0
Blind spot warning system  $200  
Cross-traffic warning, rear  $100  
Curve control$50$50$50  
Forward collision warning  $200  
Hill descent control $250$250  
Inflatable rear seat belts  $200  
Knee airbag, passenger$75$75$75  
Lane departure prevention, steering-based  $200  
Lane departure warning  $200  
Obstacle detection, front$150$150$150  
Obstacle detection, rear$250$250$250  
Radar- or camera-based collision preparation system  $0  
Rearview camera$200$200$200  
Safety key$5$5$5  
Side curtain airbags   $350$350
Side curtain airbags, three rows$500$500$500  
Terrain selector $200$200  
Trailer sway control$25$25$25  
Vehicle health reports$0$0$0  
Wide-view front camera$150 $150  
Cargo Management 
Cargo tray   $40 
Class II trailer hitch$200  $200$200
Class III trailer hitch $250$250  
Trailering equipment (7 wire)$150$150$150  
Climate Control 
Dual-zone climate control$125$125$125  
Rain-sensing wipers  $175  
Rear air vents with manual controls$150$150$150  
Rear HVAC unit$400$400$400  
Variable intermittent wipers$75$75 $75$75
Wiper de-icer   $25$25
Exterior 
Black exterior trim (optional) $0   
Black grille (optional) $0   
Bodyside cladding (gray/black)$250$250$250  
Bodyside moldings   $75$75
Hood scoop    $100
Panoramic sunroof$1200$1200$1200  
Sunroof, large   $1100$1100
Tow hook(s), front $40$40  
Infotainment 
4G LTE connectivity$0$0$0  
Android Auto support$100$100$100  
App support$0$0$0  
Apple CarPlay support$100$100$100  
Bluetooth audio streaming$25$25$25  
Bluetooth cell phone link$100$100$100  
HD radio$50$50$50  
iPod integration   $100$100
SMS text-to-speech reader$25$25$25  
Traffic + travel information$25$25$25  
USB port$25$25$25  
Voice control for external devices$0$0$0  
Voice control for nav and audio$100$100$100  
Wi-Fi hotspot$50$50$50  
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror  $75  
Auto-dimming headlights  $200  
Automatic headlights$125$125$125  
Automatic-off headlights   $25$25
Illuminated visor mirror, driver$50$50$50  
Illuminated visor mirror, passenger$50$50$50  
Interior ambient lighting$150 $150$150$150
Large color reconfigurable instrument cluster display$250$250$250  
LED headlights, single projector or low beam only$750$750$750  
Power-folding mirrors$50 $50  
Spotter mirror(s)$50$50   
Turn signals on or near mirrors$25$25$25  
Visor mirror, driver   $10$10
Visor mirror, passenger   $10$10
Seats and Interior Trim 
Cooled or ventilated front seats$300 $300  
Door sill trim plates$100    
Foldaway tray table, second row   $75$75
Heated second row seats$200 $200  
Illuminated door sill trim plates $200$200  
Leather door panel trim  $250  
Leather-wrapped steering wheel$150$150 $150$150
Massage, driver seat  $100  
Massage, passenger seat  $100  
Memory system, driver seat$200 $200  
Metal pedals    $75
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat  $150  
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seat  $150  
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat$100$100$100  
Power height adjuster, passenger seat$100$100$100  
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seat$100$100 $100$100
Power lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$100$100   
Power recliner, passenger seat$100$100$100  
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat$100$100$100  
Power-stowing third row seats$1000$1000$1000  
Tailgating position, third row seats$50$50$50  
Upholstered instrument panel, leather  $1000  
Wood trim  $300  
Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel  $150  
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Alloy wheels$350  $350$350
Machined alloy wheels $350$350  
Performance steering system (optional) $0   
Sport suspension (upgrade) $0$0  
Transmission 
Steering-wheel-mounted transmission controls $100$100  
Total Value of Features$12,145$13,220$18,935$5,835$6,070
Value of Feature Adjustments$6,310$7,385$13,100$0$235
Value of Feature Adjustments-421-394-3250-216

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester

Model Year20202009
ModelExplorerForester
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV
Wheelbase119.1 in103.0 in
Length198.8 in179.5 in
Width78.9 in70.1 in
Height69.9 in65.9 in
Curb Weight4,346 lb.3,251 lb.
Fuel Capacity17.9 gal.16.9 gal.
Row 1 Headroom40.7 in41.6 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room61.8 in56.1 in
Row 1 Hip Room59.2 in0.0 in
Row 1 Legroom42.3 in43.1 in
Row 2 Headroom40.5 in40.0 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room61.9 in55.6 in
Row 2 Hip Room59.1 in0.0 in
Row 2 Legroom39.0 in38.0 in
Row 3 Headroom38.9 in0.0 in
Row 3 Shoulder Room54.6 in0.0 in
Row 3 Hip Room40.9 in0.0 in
Row 3 Legroom32.2 in0.0 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
18.2 ft333.5 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
47.9 ft333.5 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
87.8 ft368.3 ft3

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Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

Trailer Tow Package - Class II
FeatureValueRequested?
Oil cooler0No
Class II trailer hitch200Yes
Trailering equipment (7 wire)150No
Total Requested20057%
Total Not Requested15043%

Option Package Details
Subaru Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean / Limited

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%

Option Package Details
Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited

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%

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