Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2021 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: $31,572

Subaru Forester Premium   
Difference: $4,808

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year2021200920092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorerExplorer
TrimPremiumXLTEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Base Price $27,795 $28,470 $31,615 $35,550
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 245      
All Weather Package 500      
Cargo cover 172      
Fog lights 382      
Class II trailer hitch 619      
Rear bumper protector 98      
All-weather floor mats 81   75 75
Remote start 455 385 385 385
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s) 55      
Universal garage door opener 120      
Sun and SYNC Package   795    
Convenience Package   595    
4.6L V8   1,310 1,310 1,310
Satellite radio   195    
AWD   2,320 2,320 2,320
Sport Package   1,495    
Sunroof     850 850
Convenience Package     995  
255/50R20     1,325 630
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 158      
All Weather Package 417      
Cargo cover 111      
Fog lights 286      
Class II trailer hitch 464      
Rear bumper protector 63      
All-weather floor mats 52   64 64
Remote start 341 327 327 327
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s) 35      
Universal garage door opener 78      
Sun and SYNC Package   675    
Convenience Package   506    
4.6L V8   1,192 1,192 1,192
Satellite radio   166    
AWD   2,112 2,112 2,112
Sport Package   1,271    
Sunroof     723 723
Convenience Package     846  
255/50R20     1,127 536
Options (change) 2,727 7,095 7,260 5,570
Options (change) 2,005 6,249 6,391 4,954
Destination 1,050 815 815 815
Total Price $31,572 $36,380 $39,690 $41,935

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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 Premium
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $5,558
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $30,540
Model Year2021200920092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorerExplorer
TrimPremiumXLTEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Engine182hp H4292hp V8292hp V8292hp V8
TransmissionCVTA6A6A6
DrivetrainAWDAWDAWDAWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)26/33 MPG13/19 MPG13/19 MPG13/19 MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)?, 680, 480, 4190, 7
Tire (rear if not all the same)225/60-17255/50-20255/50-20255/50-20
Total Price$31,572$36,380$39,690$41,935
Adjustments for Features-7500-2,300-4,000
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$30,822$36,380$37,390$37,935
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$1,010$1,555

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Features Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Model Year2021200920092009
ModelForesterExplorerExplorerExplorer
TrimPremiumXLTEddie BauerLimited
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV
Transmission and Drivetrain 
CVT$1000   
6-speed automatic $1000$1000$1000
AWD$1700$1700$1700$1700
Accessories 
Keyless entry keypad $50$50$50
Power-adjustable pedals $125$125$125
Tilt steering wheel, manual $150$150$150
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual$250   
Universal garage door opener$100 $100$100
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
911 assist $25$25$25
Brake assist$50   
Full-size spare tire $225$225$225
Knee airbag, driver$75   
Obstacle detection, rear $250$250$250
Rearview camera$200   
Temporary spare tire$150   
Trailer sway control $25$25$25
Cargo Management 
Cargo cover$75$75$75 
Liftglass or two-piece tailgate $150$150$150
Overhead sunglass holder$25   
Roof rack $300$300$300
Roof rails$250   
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   
Exterior 
Bodyside cladding (gray/black)$250   
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)$25$25  
Rear spoiler$200   
Running boards $350$350$350
Sunroof $900$900$900
Sunroof, large$1100   
Wheel-lip moldings $75$75$75
Infotainment 
App support$0   
Bluetooth audio streaming$25   
CD changer, in-dash   $325
CD player$125$125$125 
HD radio$50   
Siri Eyes Free support$0   
Telematics service, such as OnStar$200   
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
Interior ambient lighting$150   
Seats and Interior Trim 
Center armrest(s), second row$50  $50
Floor mats$75 $75$75
Heated front seats$200 $200$200
Leather seating surfaces  $900$900
Leather-wrapped steering wheel $150$150$150
Manual lumbar adjuster, driver seat $50  
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat  $50$50
Manual recliner, second row seats$75  $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 recliner, 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$7,225$6,475$8,775$10,475
Value of Feature Adjustments$750$0$2,300$4,000
Value of Feature Adjustments-730-2,117-3,689

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Specifications Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Ford Explorer

Model Year20212009
ModelForesterExplorer
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV
Wheelbase105.1 in113.7 in
Length182.1 in193.4 in
Width71.5 in73.7 in
Height67.5 in72.8 in
Curb Weight3,449 lb.4,706 lb.
Fuel Capacity16.6 gal.22.5 gal.
Row 1 Headroom41.2 in39.8 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room58.2 in59.0 in
Row 1 Hip Room0.0 in55.4 in
Row 1 Legroom43.3 in42.4 in
Row 2 Headroom39.6 in38.7 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room57.2 in58.9 in
Row 2 Hip Room0.0 in55.5 in
Row 2 Legroom39.4 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
35.4 ft313.6 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
35.443.9 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
76.1 ft383.7 ft3

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Option Package Details
Subaru Forester Premium

All Weather Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Heated mirrors25Yes
Heated front seats200Yes
Wiper de-icer25No
Total Requested22590%
Total Not Requested2510%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer XLT

Sun and SYNC Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Bluetooth cell phone link100Yes
Voice control for external devices0No
SMS text-to-speech reader25Yes
USB port25Yes
Vehicle health reports0Yes
911 assist25Yes
Voice control for audio system25No
Total Requested107598%
Total Not Requested252%
Convenience Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Automatic headlights125No
Obstacle detection, rear250No
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Compass0Yes
Keyless entry keypad50No
Total Requested15021%
Total Not Requested55079%
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%

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