2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer was part of Ford's strategic lineup of SUVs, each bearing a familial resemblance and starting with the letter "E." This approach harkened back to a time when brand loyalty was cultivated through a series of vehicles that consumers could grow with over time. The Explorer's exterior was appealing, though it could be easily confused with the Edge at a quick glance. It featured sporty lines and a distinctive front, setting it apart from other brands. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points, starting from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, it provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model offering cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that maximized storage space. The XLT trim was the most popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, while leather upholstery was available from the mid-tier Limited trim upwards.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent marked a significant addition to Subaru's lineup, filling a long-standing gap for a three-row SUV. It drew design elements from the Forester and Outback, scaled up to accommodate three rows. The interior mirrored other Subaru models, reinforcing brand consistency. The Ascent offered four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring. The base trim was well-equipped with driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and tri-zone climate control. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and added features like stain-resistant upholstery and heated front seats. The Limited trim included push-button start and heated second-row seats, while the Touring trim offered luxury features like ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the Kia Telluride's V6 engine. All trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer Limited Hybrid offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, producing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the ST trim reaching 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. While it lacked a premium engine option, the standard engine was adequate for most driving scenarios, offering a comfortable ride and responsive handling. The Ascent's 8.7 inches of ground clearance, combined with standard all-wheel drive and Subaru’s X-Mode system, made it capable in snowy conditions and light off-roading. It was rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and included Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base model seated seven, while other trims with second-row captain’s chairs reduced capacity to six. It offered 39 inches of second-row legroom, surpassing some competitors but falling short of others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row in use, it provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with seats folded, which was modest compared to some rivals.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row down, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This was competitive within its class, though some rivals offered more. The Ascent featured a power liftgate and seating for up to eight, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was suitable for adults on short trips. The Ascent boasted 19 cupholders and ample storage options throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, featuring AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured Subaru's StarLink infotainment system with intuitive menus and large icons. It came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two front and two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. Optional features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. It offered the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite as standard, including features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its crash test performance and Subaru’s EyeSight suite, which included automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features like reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring were available.