How Does the Explorer Top the Subaru Ascent?
When shopping for a vehicle, it’s important that you take the time to consider a number of different options and find everything you need. Even if you’ve narrowed things down to a three-row SUV, you still have plenty of options out there. Considering different models and comparing their features is the perfect way to figure out which one is right for you.
If we look at the 2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Subaru Ascent, for example, then we’ll see that Ford simply gives you a lot more to enjoy. You’ve got more powerful engines, greater options for overall performance, and greater overall cargo space inside. And if you’re looking to head off-road with your family, then the Ascent has nothing to compare with the Explorer Tremor.
Terrific Standard Tech Features
For a lot of people, three-row SUVs like these are ideal for big or growing families. As you drive your family around each day, you want a vehicle that you will enjoy hitting the road in, with great features to enhance your time behind the wheel. Tech features these days can greatly improve the quality of your drive and make it easy to use a wide range of apps.
The 2026 Ford Explorer starts with an impressive selection of tech features, including a gorgeous 13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience center screen and a 12.3-inch instrument panel cluster display. You also get a six-speaker sound system, tri-zone electronic automatic temperature control, and comfortable cloth seating with a six-way power driver’s seat.
Looking at the Subaru Ascent, it has some fine features, but ultimately, it can’t quite keep up. For example, an 11.6-inch Multimedia display is standard, which is significantly smaller than Ford’s screen. The analog instruments are fine, but we prefer the features of the Explorer; our preference only grows when we notice the higher starting price of Subaru’s SUV.
Even More Cabin Features Available
Standard features are only part of the story when looking at a couple of SUVs like these; you also need to consider what’s available for them. Ford offers numerous trims for the Explorer, giving you the freedom to get just what you want. If you go up to the Platinum trim, for example, then you enjoy a large number of upgrades and additional features inside.
For starters, the Platinum trim gives you a 14-speaker B&O sound system with a subwoofer, filling the spacious cabin of the Explorer with absolutely stunning audio. You also get leather seating surfaces with Miko micro-perforated inserts for remarkable comfort, with heated and ventilated front seats, and much more that creates a fantastic daily drive.
Looking at a higher trim for the Ascent, like the Touring, we do find some nice upgrades. Heated and ventilated front seats are included with the Touring, but the analog instrument cluster remains. Subaru drivers are still stuck with the smaller Multimedia display, too, but they do get an enhanced sound system; however, we prefer the overall sound quality of Ford’s option.
Greater Cargo Space Inside
The right three-row SUV for your family needs to have room inside for everyone that you want to bring along with you. Often just as important, however, is enough space to load up with the stuff that you need to have. Whether you are packing for a weekend of camping, loading up with luggage for a road trip, or just shopping on the weekend, you need space in your SUV.
Ford understands this well, and they’ve designed the Explorer to be an incredibly spacious and accommodating three-row SUV. One thing we love about the Explorer is that you can choose a model with the right seating configuration to meet your needs. Ford offers a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row for six-passenger seating, or a bench to give you room for seven.
When it comes to cargo space, these are both large and spacious SUVs, as you would expect. Inside the Ford Explorer, you get 85.8 cu. ft. of maximum cargo space behind the front row, when you really need to load up with stuff. The Subaru Ascent has just 75.6 cu. ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats. That’s a significant difference and a big win for the Explorer.
More Powerful Engines to Choose From
When considering a three-row SUV, it’s important that you choose something you’ll enjoy driving each day. A big part of that is the kind of power and performance you get, since this greatly impacts overall drive quality. Ford gives you two impressive engines to choose from when checking out the 2026 Explorer, while the Ascent has just one powertrain.
What’s more, the two engines you can get from Ford are both much more powerful than what Subaru offers, so Ascent drivers really end up missing out. Here are the engines available:
2026 Ford Explorer
- 2.3L turbocharged I-4: 300 hp and 310 lb-ft torque
- 3.0L turbocharged V6: 385 hp and 415 lb-ft torque
2026 Subaru Ascent
- 2.4L turbocharged: 260 hp and 277 lb-ft torque
You can see for yourself what a tremendous difference that is. We’ll admit that the powerful V6 available for the Explorer is a bit of a niche choice that not everyone will go for. But even if you stick with the standard engine in Ford’s SUV, you get a superior time on the road.
Also, the Explorer features a ten-speed automatic transmission, which we prefer to the continuously variable transmission that Subaru provides. Finally, Ford lets you choose between rear- or all-wheel drive. Every Ascent comes with all-wheel drive, which is fine, but we prefer having the freedom to pick the kind of driving experience that we prefer.
The Explorer Tremor Is Ready for Adventure
Subaru is known for making rugged vehicles that are great for both daily driving and heading outdoors on the weekend. That’s why it’s such a surprise that we don’t see any kind of off-road trim or adventure model for the Ascent. Some other Subaru models, like the Outback, have the Wilderness trim available, but the Ascent comes up quite lacking in this regard.
The Ford Explorer, on the other hand, has a Tremor trim available that’s the perfect choice if you’re looking for a three-row SUV to take your family on a big outdoor adventure. The Tremor comes with Intelligent four-wheel drive, featuring six selectable drive modes to help you stay in control in all kinds of conditions. You also get an off-road-tuned suspension and Torsen Limited-Slip rear axle for greater capabilities on rough terrain.
Ford provides front and rear skid plates to help protect the underside of the Explorer Tremor, along with 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires to help with grip and traction off-road. You get ActiveX seating inside that’s comfortable and durable, plus this model includes a Class III Trailer Tow package so you can haul a boat or camper behind you.
See What the Ford Explorer Can Do
At the end of the day, the Subaru Ascent is a fine three-row SUV, but the Ford Explorer simply gives you more to enjoy as you drive. You’ve got superior performance, more total cargo space inside, and the remarkable Tremor trim available. Best of all: the Explorer starts at just $38,465 MSRP while the Ascent starts at $40,795 MSRP. [a]
So you get a fantastic selection of standard and available features with the Explorer, at a lower starting price. This makes it easy to jump up to a higher trim if there are some features you want, add on some options, or just keep more money in your pocket. Here at DePaula Ford, we’re ready to show you everything the Explorer has to offer and help you choose the right SUV.
0 comment(s) so far on How Does the Explorer Top the Subaru Ascent?