2023 Subaru Ascent vs. 2023 Ford Explorer

A midsize SUV is a great option for providing you with a great mix of passenger space, cargo space, and a capable performance. The Subaru Ascent and the Ford Explorer are two midsize SUV options, both with three rows of seating. Check out the comparison of these vehicles below to help you decide which one is a better fit for your life. 

Performance and Engine Options

First, let's look at the performance of these two SUV options. Under the hood of the 2023 Subaru Ascent, you can find a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. With this engine, you get 260-horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. When this vehicle is properly equipped, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds, and you have a trailer stability assist feature to help make towing easier. 

You can get around 20 city and 26 highway miles per gallon in terms of fuel efficiency. Also, the Subaru Ascent gives you a symmetrical all-wheel drive standard. You also get features like hill descent control and X-mode capability. The X-mode system gives you Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings to give you the ability to handle tough terrain. You can also get up to 8.7-inches of ground clearance in the 2023 Ascent. 

The 2023 Ford Explorer is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 300-horsepower, and is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine can give you around 21 city and 28 highway miles per gallon. There is another more powerful engine option, which is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. This engine produces 400-horsepower, and it can give you around 18 city and 24 highway miles per gallon. 

This vehicle comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available. When it comes to towing capacity, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600 pounds when it is properly equipped. Certain trim levels in the 2023 Explorer can add a few performance features like skid plates, all-terrain tires, off-road shocks, and a limited-slip differential. 

Exterior 

The exterior of the Subaru Ascent is 16.4 feet in length, and it has a curb weight around 4,500 pounds. This vehicle offers you exterior features like LED fog lights, LED responsive headlights, a panoramic moonroof, a power liftgate, raised roof rails, all-season tires, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. You can get this SUV with exterior colors like Crimson Red Pearl, Crystal White Pearl, Autumn Green Metallic, and Magnetite Gray Metallic. 

The exterior of the Ford Explorer is 16.6 feet long, and it has a curb weight of around 4,345 pounds. This SUV can give you additional exterior features like a moonroof, a hands-free power liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, all-terrain tires, and sporty styling. 

Interior and Technology

On the inside of the 2023 Ascent, you have a lot of great features. You can get seating for seven or eight people in three rows of seating, depending on the vehicle. The base model has seating for eight in three rows on cloth upholstery, but you also have the option of having second-row captain's chairs in this vehicle. There are also interior upgrades like power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Nappa leather upholstery. 

For cargo space, the Subaru Ascent gives you 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seating, 43.5 cubic feet if you fold down the third row, and up to 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space if you fold down the second and third rows of seating. 

When it comes to technology, the Subaru Ascent has a new and improved 11.6-inch multimedia plus system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fit hotspot, proximity keyless entry, a navigation system, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. You also can get 6 USB ports and a 120-volt power outlet. 

Next, let's look at the 2023 Ford Explorer. This vehicle seats six or seven people, depending on your model option. The standard is seating for seven on cloth upholstery, but you can upgrade to get second row captain's chairs which gives you seating for six. You can also get interior features like synthetic leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front and second row seats, a heated steering wheel, genuine leather upholstery, and ventilated seats.

For cargo space, the 2023 Explorer gives you 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats, 47.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seating, and up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space with both the second and third rows folded down. 

Standard technology features in the Ford Explorer include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. You can upgrade to get features like a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, wireless device charging, USB ports, and a rear-seat entertainment system. 

Safety

Finally, let's look at safety. The 2023 Ascent gives you the EyeSight suite of safety features standard on every model. This suite of safety features includes lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and high beam assist. You can also add additional safety features like rear cross traffic alert and blind spot detection. For the 2023 model year, this vehicle has improved the technology on some of these safety features with new software, as well as a wider view on the camera system. You also add the feature automatic emergency steering that is new for 2023. 

The Ford Explorer also offers you some good safety technology standards. This vehicle includes standard features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, driver-attention monitoring, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. Additional available features include front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, lane centering assist, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view parking camera. 

As you can see, both vehicles have a lot to offer you. You should think about your needs and which vehicle matches them. The Explorer has two engine options, but the Subaru Ascent has standard all-wheel drive, as well as seating for more people. Reach out to us at Granite Subaru with any questions you may have.