Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2026 Subaru Ascent

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ascent doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and Ascent have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Explorer has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Ascent’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Explorer and the Ascent have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all-wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Subaru Ascent:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Subaru Ascent:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Explorer is 1.9% to 2.3% less likely to roll over than the Ascent.

There are over 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Ascent doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Explorer has a standard 760-amp battery. The Ascent’s 530-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Subaru With 4 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Subaru.

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (300 vs. 260) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 140 more horsepower (400 vs. 260) and 138 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the Ascent:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Explorer’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Ascent doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost V6’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Ascent (20.2 vs. 19.3 gallons).

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Ascent doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Explorer higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Subaru Ascent (4). This means the Explorer produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ascent every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Explorer’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Ascent:

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Ascent:

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Ascent (255/65R18 vs. 245/60R18). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ascent (275/45R21 vs. 245/60R18).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ascent Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Ascent’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Ascent doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Ascent’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Explorer has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Ascent doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the Ascent (119.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Ascent.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Ascent’s (54.2% to 45.8%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .87 G’s, while the Ascent Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Ascent Touring (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The front grille of the Explorer uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ascent doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Explorer offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Ascent doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Explorer Active 4WD is quieter than the Ascent Touring (66 vs. 67 dB).

The Explorer has .8 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room, 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.7 inches more third row headroom and .1 inches more third row legroom than the Ascent.

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Ascent.

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Ascent’s in almost every dimension:

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Ascent doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Explorer’s (except Active) optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Ascent doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Explorer (except Active)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Ascent doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Explorer and the Ascent have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Explorer is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Ascent prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the Ascent doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear doors.

The Explorer’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Ascent’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Ascent.

The Explorer is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Ascent doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Explorer is less expensive to operate than the Ascent because it costs $155 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Explorer than the Ascent, including $27 less for front brake pads, $359 less for a starter, $21 less for fuel injection and $409 less for front struts.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Subaru Ascent by over five to one during 2025.