Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2008 Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2009

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer 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.

Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer 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 Year2008200920092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT LimitedXLTEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $27,895 $28,470 $31,615 $35,550
Base Invoice $26,116 $26,458 $29,319 $32,901
4-speed automatic 1,000      
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 183      
Class II trailer hitch 299      
Rear bumper protector 72      
All-weather floor mats 55   75 75
Satellite radio 445 195    
Universal garage door opener 87      
Sun and SYNC Package   795    
Convenience Package   595    
Leather seating surfaces   995    
4.6L V8   1,310 1,310 1,310
AWD   2,320 2,320 2,320
Sport Package   1,495    
Sunroof     850 850
Convenience Package     995  
255/50R20     1,325 630
4-speed automatic 909      
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 119      
Class II trailer hitch 195      
Rear bumper protector 47      
All-weather floor mats 33   64 64
Satellite radio 334 166    
Universal garage door opener 56      
Sun and SYNC Package   675    
Convenience Package   506    
Leather seating surfaces   846    
4.6L V8   1,192 1,192 1,192
AWD   2,112 2,112 2,112
Sport Package   1,271    
Sunroof     723 723
Convenience Package     846  
255/50R20     1,127 536
Options (change) 2,141 7,705 6,875 5,185
Options (change) 1,693 6,768 6,064 4,627
Destination 645 815 815 815
Total Price $30,681 $36,990 $39,305 $41,550
Total Invoice $28,454 $34,041 $36,198 $38,343

Return to top

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

Dealer Price Quotes

Want to find out how much dealers are willing to discount these cars?

Request free, no-obligation Subaru Forester dealer quotes or Ford Explorer 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: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice: Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $5,204
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $4,570
Model Year2008200920092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT LimitedXLTEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Engine224hp H4292hp V8292hp V8292hp V8
TransmissionA4A6A6A6
DrivetrainAWDAWDAWDAWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)18/23 MPG13/19 MPG13/19 MPG13/19 MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)155, 780, 480, 4190, 7
Tire (rear if not all the same)215/55-17255/50-20255/50-20255/50-20
Total Price$30,681$36,990$39,305$41,550
Adjustments for Features0-1,105-2,105-3,805
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$30,681$35,885$37,200$37,745
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$1,315$1,860
Total Invoice$28,454$34,041$36,198$38,343
Adjustments for Features0-1,017-1,939-3,511
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$28,454$33,024$34,259$34,832
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$1,235$1,808

Return to top

Features Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Model Year2008200920092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT LimitedXLTEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Transmission and Drivetrain 
4-speed automatic$800   
6-speed automatic $1000$1000$1000
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$5,845$6,950$7,950$9,650
Value of Feature Adjustments$0$1,105$2,105$3,805
Value of Feature Adjustments0-1,017-1,939-3,511

Return to top

Specifications Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Model Year20082009
ModelForesterExplorer
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV
Wheelbase99.4 in113.7 in
Length176.6 in193.4 in
Width68.3 in73.7 in
Height65.0 in72.8 in
Curb Weight3,350 lb.4,706 lb.
Fuel Capacity15.9 gal.22.5 gal.
Row 1 Headroom39.8 in39.8 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room53.5 in59.0 in
Row 1 Hip Room51.6 in55.4 in
Row 1 Legroom43.6 in42.4 in
Row 2 Headroom39.7 in38.7 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room53.6 in58.9 in
Row 2 Hip Room51.6 in55.5 in
Row 2 Legroom33.7 in36.9 in
Row 3 Headroom0.0 in37.4 in
Row 3 Shoulder Room0.0 in53.1 in
Row 3 Hip Room0.0 in45.3 in
Row 3 Legroom0.0 in34.9 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
32.0 ft313.6 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
32.043.9 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
57.7 ft383.7 ft3

Return to top

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer XLT

Sun and SYNC Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Bluetooth cell phone link100No
Voice control for external devices0No
SMS text-to-speech reader25No
USB port25No
Vehicle health reports0No
911 assist25No
Voice control for audio system25No
Total Requested90082%
Total Not Requested20018%
Convenience Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Automatic headlights125No
Obstacle detection, rear250No
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Compass0Yes
Keyless entry keypad50No
Total Requested15021%
Total Not Requested55079%
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%
4.6L V8
OHC-3v
292 hp@5750
300 lb-ft@3950
FeatureValueRequested?
4.6L V8
OHC-3v
292 hp@5750
300 lb-ft@3950
1000Yes
6-speed automatic0Yes
Total Requested1000100%
Total Not Requested00%
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

255/50R20 tires
FeatureValueRequested?
255/50R20 tires400No
Polished alloy wheels0No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested400100%
4.6L V8
OHC-3v
292 hp@5750
300 lb-ft@3950
FeatureValueRequested?
4.6L V8
OHC-3v
292 hp@5750
300 lb-ft@3950
1000Yes
6-speed automatic0Yes
Total Requested1000100%
Total Not Requested00%
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
Ford Explorer Limited

255/50R20 tires
FeatureValueRequested?
255/50R20 tires400No
Polished alloy wheels-250No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested150100%
4.6L V8
OHC-3v
292 hp@5750
300 lb-ft@3950
FeatureValueRequested?
4.6L V8
OHC-3v
292 hp@5750
300 lb-ft@3950
1000Yes
6-speed automatic0Yes
Total Requested1000100%
Total Not Requested00%

Was this information useful?

We're glad we could help! Share this page:

We're so sorry! Tell us how we can improve it.

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.