Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2009 Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2008

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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: $33,276

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited   
Difference: $6,594

Lowest Total Invoice: $30,609

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited   
Difference: $6,031

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year200920082008
ModelForesterExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT LimitedEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $28,195 $29,245 $32,395
Base Invoice $26,409 $27,273 $30,178
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 183    
Wheel-lip moldings 432    
Class II trailer hitch 468    
Rear bumper protector 78    
iPod integration 223    
All-weather floor mats 69 55 55
Cargo cover 166 90 90
Satellite radio 453    
Remote start 432 385 385
Navigation system 1,800 1,995 1,995
Universal garage door opener 82    
Sun and Sirius Package   560 560
4.6L V8   1,310 1,310
Luxury Package   1,290  
Audiophile Package   510  
AWD   2,320 2,325
255/50R20   1,325 630
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 119    
Wheel-lip moldings 324    
Class II trailer hitch 351    
Rear bumper protector 51    
iPod integration 145    
All-weather floor mats 39 47 47
Cargo cover 108 77 77
Satellite radio 340    
Remote start 324 326 326
Navigation system 1,650 1,696 1,696
Universal garage door opener 54    
Sun and Sirius Package   476 476
4.6L V8   1,192 1,192
Luxury Package   1,097  
Audiophile Package   433  
AWD   2,111 2,117
255/50R20   1,127 536
Options (change) 4,386 9,840 7,350
Options (change) 3,505 8,582 6,467
Destination 695 785 785
Total Price $33,276 $39,870 $40,530
Total Invoice $30,609 $36,640 $37,430

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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 Subaru Forester dealer quotes or Ford Explorer dealer quotes from dealers using our car quote form.

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TrueDelta Value Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice: Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $5,714
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $5,222
Model Year200920082008
ModelForesterExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT LimitedEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Engine224hp H4292hp V8292hp V8
TransmissionT4A6A6
DrivetrainAWDAWDAWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)19/24 MPG13/19 MPG13/19 MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)140, 6190, 7190, 7
Tire (rear if not all the same)225/55-17255/50-20255/50-20
Total Price$33,276$39,870$40,530
Adjustments for Features0-880-1,130
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$33,276$38,990$39,400
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$410
Total Invoice$30,609$36,640$37,430
Adjustments for Features0-809-1,044
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$30,609$35,831$36,386
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$555

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Features Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Model Year200920082008
ModelForesterExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT LimitedEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Transmission and Drivetrain 
4-speed manually-shiftable automatic$900  
6-speed automatic $1000$1000
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 
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats$0  
Brake assist$50  
Full-size spare tire $225$225
Obstacle detection, rear  $250
Temporary spare tire$150  
Cargo Management 
Liftglass or two-piece tailgate $150$150
Overhead sunglass holder$25  
Trailering equipment (4 wire) $125$125
Climate Control 
Dual-zone climate control $125$125
Interior air filter$0  
Rear air vents $100$100
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 cell phone link $100$100
CD changer, in-dash $325$325
CD player$125  
iPod integration$100  
SMS text-to-speech reader $25$25
Surround sound$250  
USB port $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  
Visor mirror, driver$10  
Visor mirror, passenger$10  
Seats and Interior Trim 
Center armrest(s), second row$50  
Foldaway tray table, second row$75  
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat $50$50
Manual recliner, second row seats$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 tilt adjuster, passenger seat $100$100
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Alloy wheels$350  
Polished alloy wheels $350$350
Total Value of Features$5,820$6,700$6,950
Value of Feature Adjustments$0$880$1,130
Value of Feature Adjustments0-809-1,044

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Specifications Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Model Year20092008
ModelForesterExplorer
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV
Wheelbase103.0 in113.7 in
Length179.5 in193.4 in
Width70.1 in73.7 in
Height65.9 in72.8 in
Curb Weight3,440 lb.4,706 lb.
Fuel Capacity16.9 gal.22.5 gal.
Row 1 Headroom41.6 in39.8 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room56.1 in59.0 in
Row 1 Hip Room0.0 in55.4 in
Row 1 Legroom43.1 in42.4 in
Row 2 Headroom40.0 in38.7 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room55.6 in58.9 in
Row 2 Hip Room0.0 in55.5 in
Row 2 Legroom38.0 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
33.5 ft313.6 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
33.543.9 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
68.3 ft383.7 ft3

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Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
Voice control for nav and audio75No
Total Requested60089%
Total Not Requested7511%
255/50R20 tires
FeatureValueRequested?
255/50R20 tires400No
Polished alloy wheels0No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested400100%
Sun and Sirius Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Satellite radio200Yes
Total Requested1100100%
Total Not Requested00%
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%
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 seat200No
Power height adjuster, passenger seat100No
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat100No
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Dual-zone climate control125No
Total Requested52541%
Total Not Requested75059%
Audiophile Package
FeatureValueRequested?
CD changer, in-dash200No
Unbranded, 190W, 7 speakers (with subwoofer)350No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested550100%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
Voice control for nav and audio75No
Total Requested60089%
Total Not Requested7511%
255/50R20 tires
FeatureValueRequested?
255/50R20 tires400No
Polished alloy wheels-250No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested150100%
Sun and Sirius Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Satellite radio200Yes
Total Requested1100100%
Total Not Requested00%
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%

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