Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2011 Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2009

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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: $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 Year201120092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT TouringEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $29,995 $31,615 $35,550
Base Invoice $28,084 $29,319 $32,901
Utility Package 705    
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 185    
Cargo cover 166    
Class II trailer hitch 468    
All-weather floor mats 69 75 75
Remote start 432 385 385
Obstacle detection, rear 363    
Universal garage door opener 93    
Navigation system 1,600 2,505 1,995
Convenience Package   995  
4.6L V8   1,310 1,310
Sunroof   850 850
AWD   2,320 2,320
255/50R20   1,325 630
Utility Package 492    
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 120    
Cargo cover 108    
Class II trailer hitch 351    
All-weather floor mats 39 64 64
Remote start 324 327 327
Obstacle detection, rear 272    
Universal garage door opener 61    
Navigation system 1,335 2,129 1,696
Convenience Package   846  
4.6L V8   1,192 1,192
Sunroof   723 723
AWD   2,112 2,112
255/50R20   1,127 536
Options (change) 4,081 9,765 7,565
Options (change) 3,102 8,520 6,650
Destination 725 815 815
Total Price $34,801 $42,195 $43,930
Total Invoice $31,911 $38,654 $40,366

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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 Touring
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $7,414
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $6,761
Model Year201120092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT TouringEddie 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$34,801$42,195$43,930
Adjustments for Features-200-1,500
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$34,781$42,195$42,430
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$235
Total Invoice$31,911$38,654$40,366
Adjustments for Features-180-1,378
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$31,893$38,654$38,988
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$334

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Features Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Model Year201120092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorer
Trim2.5 XT TouringEddie 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 
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$6,310$6,290$7,790
Value of Feature Adjustments$20$0$1,500
Value of Feature Adjustments-180-1,378

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Specifications Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Model Year20112009
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
Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring

Utility Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Roof rack crossbars50Yes
Mud guards75No
Rear bumper protector40Yes
Wheel-lip moldings75Yes
Total Requested16569%
Total Not Requested7531%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

255/50R20 tires
FeatureValueRequested?
255/50R20 tires400No
Polished alloy wheels0No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested400100%
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%
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%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

255/50R20 tires
FeatureValueRequested?
255/50R20 tires400No
Polished alloy wheels-250No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested150100%
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%
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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