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Large SUVs like the Ford Explorer and the Subaru Forester can do and be anything you ask of them. Do you need to tow a trailer? Do you want to take the whole family out on a road trip? Maybe you prefer to have a bit of fun on your daily commute? It’s possible to achieve all of that with either of these versatile models.
Our Ford Explorer vs. Subaru Forester comparison reveals that one SUV clearly pulls ahead of the other. So, which model comes out on top?
Before test driving either of these SUVs near Hondo, Castroville, and Uvalde, TX, check out this comparison from our Cecil Atkission Ford team!
HORSEPOWER
TORQUE
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY
When you start your car-buying journey, which features are at the forefront of your mind? Are you interested in how much power your next vehicle will have? How about efficiency? Performance is important when it comes to choosing your next ride.
A brief glance at the performance specifications of the Ford Explorer and the Subaru Forester reveals how these SUVs differ. The Explorer offers more engine options in addition to providing noticeably more power.
Subaru outfits every trim of the Forester with a 2.5L engine. The 4-cylinder motor generates 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, which can feel particularly sluggish when filled with people and luggage. The smallest standard engine of the Explorer is also a 4-cylinder, yet it produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Of course, the Ford Explorer also has other engines available. Even the hybrid engine option of the Explorer generates 318 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque. If you want to have some fun, there’s an impressive 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 engine that boasts 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
Not only are SUVs like the Explorer and the Forester spacious and powerful, but they can also pull quite a lot of weight. While both models are impressive, you’ll find more towing power with the Ford Explorer.
Having an SUV that can tow boats, trailers, or other equipment is handy for many families. The Subaru Forester can do this to some extent, but it doesn't come close to the truck-like towing capacity of the Explorer.
The minimum towing capacity of the Forester is a paltry 1,500 pounds. Choosing the hybrid engine of the Explorer results in the lowest towing capacity for the Ford, which is an impressive 5,000 pounds when properly outfitted.
Of course, you can opt for additional features that may increase your vehicle’s towing capacity. However, the Subaru Forester still only reaches a maximum of 3,000 pounds when properly equipped.
If you choose the V6 engine in the Ford, you’ll be working with a 5,600-pound maximum towing capacity.
It’s a given that you’ll have a decent amount of space when you purchase an SUV. However, not all SUVs are built the same. While the Explorer and the Forester each have roomy interiors for you and your passengers, one may outshine the other.
If you hope to maximize interior space with the SUV you select, the Explorer is the easy choice in this comparison. For both passengers and cargo, Ford carves out more space in the Explorer than Subaru does in the Forester.
Plus, only the Explorer has room for seven passengers. In the second row of the Explorer, your rear-seat passengers will enjoy 40.5 inches of headroom. Rear-seat passengers in the Forester will have just 39.6 inches of headroom.
The two key measures for interior space are passenger volume and maximum cargo capacity. The Subaru provides 111.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, with a maximum cargo capacity of 74.2 cubic feet when the seats are folded flat.
With the Ford, you can utilize 152.7 cubic feet of passenger volume and as much as 87.8 cubic feet of cargo room with all the seats folded flat.
The right SUV will be with you a long time around Hondo, Castroville, and Uvalde, TX. So, which of these options is the right choice for you? Well, if capability, performance, and space are part of your decision-making process, the Explorer is the easy call.
To see your favorite trim up close and experience it firsthand, come by Cecil Atkission Ford today!
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