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The Subaru Ascent and Ford Explorer compete in the identical class of midsize 3-row SUVs however have completely different personalities. The Subaru Ascent is the outdoorsy kind with rugged styling, beneficiant floor clearance, and commonplace all-wheel drive (AWD). Meanwhile, the Ford Explorer leans on the sporty aspect with a decrease, wider stance and an ST trim that’s genuinely thrilling to drive. Those variations alone would possibly offer you a touch of which SUV is a greater match for you.
Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the 2026 Subaru Ascent and 2026 Ford Explorer and discover the fitting 3-row SUV for your loved ones.
2026 Subaru Ascent
You wouldn’t be far off when you referred to as the Subaru Ascent a Subaru Outback with further seats. It captures the quirky character and off-road capabilities we love concerning the Subaru model and packages them as a family-friendly SUV with 3-row seating.
Subaru Ascent Highlights
Standard AWD: In typical Subaru style, all-wheel drive is commonplace on each trim of the Ascent. Contrast that with the Ford Explorer, which has commonplace rear-wheel drive (RWD) on each trim, with all-wheel drive accessible at an additional value. The Subaru additionally has extra floor clearance, which is helpful off-road.
Lower beginning worth: The Subaru Ascent’s beginning worth is sort of $3,000 decrease than that of probably the most inexpensive Ford Explorer with all-wheel drive. It’s additionally well-equipped with commonplace options, making the Subaru the worth selection.
Up to eight seats: The Subaru Ascent’s third row has three seats, giving it a most seating capability of eight. The Ford Explorer’s way-back solely has two seat belts, limiting its seating capability to seven.
Read our Subaru Ascent Expert Review or see 2026 Subaru Ascent fashions on the market close to you.
2026 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer has been a trusted title in household SUVs for many years. It’s perennially one of many best-sellers in its class for excelling on the fundamentals of what makes a great midsize SUV. For 2026, it beneficial properties an off-road centered trim referred to as Tremor at a worth surprisingly low for such a factor.
Ford Explorer Highlights
BlueCruise: BlueCruise is considered one of our favourite hands-free freeway driving techniques we’ve examined, and it’s commonplace on all however the base trim of the Ford Explorer. The Subaru Ascent has good commonplace security tech however no hands-free possibility.
Powerful and environment friendly: The Ford Explorer comes commonplace with an keen 300-horsepower turbo engine that’s stronger and extra environment friendly than the 260-hp engine within the Ascent. The Explorer additionally has a 400-hp turbo V6 that’s commonplace within the sporty ST mannequin and optionally available within the Platinum trim.
Sporty ST mannequin: There’s nothing within the Subaru Ascent lineup fairly just like the Ford Explorer ST. In addition to the 400-hp turbo V6 below the hood, this high-performance household SUV serves up a sport-tuned suspension system, efficiency brakes with purple calipers, and a sporty look bundle inside and outside.
Read our Ford Explorer Expert Review or see 2026 Ford Explorer fashions on the market close to you.
New 2025 Subaru Ascent Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Premium
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$41,415
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$37,500
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|
Onyx Edition Premium
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$45,405
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$41,100
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Limited
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$49,305
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$44,700
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Bronze Edition
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$50,415
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$45,700
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Touring
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$52,585
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$47,600
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Onyx Edition Touring
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$53,470
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$48,400
|
New 2025 Ford Explorer Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Active
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$41,450
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$38,200
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||
|
ST-Line
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$46,210
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$42,600
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Platinum
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$53,350
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$49,100
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ST
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$56,465
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$52,000
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The A-Z Eventz Fair Purchase Price for any particular person used car can range drastically in keeping with mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here mirror what consumers are at the moment paying for New 2025 Subaru Ascent autos and New 2025 Ford Explorer autos in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s instructed retail worth (MSRP) quoted contains the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embrace tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
Specifications
| 2026 Subaru Ascent | 2026 Ford Explorer | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 kilos | 5,000 kilos |
| Horsepower | 260 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 277 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm | 199 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Transmission | computerized, cvt w/lineartronic, excessive torque & 8-speed guide mode | computerized, 10-speed |
| Fuel Economy | 19 metropolis/26 freeway/22 mixed mpg | 20 metropolis/29 freeway/24 mixed mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 inches | 119.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 196.8 inches | 198.7 inches |
| Width | 85.9 inches | 89.3 inches |
| Height | 71.6 inches | 78.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.0 toes | 38.7 toes |
| Headroom, Front | 41.2 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.0 inches | 40.5 inches |
| Headroom, third Row | 36.2 inches | 38.9 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.2 inches | 43.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.6 inches | 37.5 inches |
| Legroom, third Row | 31.7 inches | 31.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.1 inches | 62.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 60.3 inches | 61.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, third Row | 57.2 inches | 54.6 inches |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 17.8 toes | 16.3 toes |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 43.5 toes | 46.0 toes |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 75.6 toes | 85.8 toes |
Specification desk displays the everyday configuration of autos proven.
Conclusion
The Subaru Ascent is a extra value-conscious selection because of its lower cost tag, greater seat rely, and commonplace AWD. At an analogous worth level because the Ascent, the Explorer has a base engine that’s each extra highly effective and extra environment friendly, extra superior tech options just like the BlueCruise hands-free driving system, and an accessible 400-hp turbo V6 for the fanatic who wants a sensible SUV.
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