2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was likely to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though the taillight shape and roof C-pillar design were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather and numerous King Ranch logos, though the presence of hard plastic in lower trims was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, redesigned in 2019, retained much of its previous-generation styling, giving it an older appearance. However, its boxy, upright shape was exactly what many SUV shoppers wanted. The Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact. The Forester's interior was practical, with a no-nonsense mix of materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and additional features like heated seats and a power liftgate.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided plenty of power and a pleasant exhaust note. The Expedition offered 9.8 inches of ground clearance (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities: 9,300 pounds for the standard rear-drive model and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, though the large 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy. The independent rear suspension design enhanced ride and handling, and the Expedition averaged 17.7 mpg in real-world testing, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, but power felt merely adequate, especially during highway merging or overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll and bounce on uneven pavement. Standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, and the Forester offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance. However, its 1,500-pound towing capacity was modest compared to the Expedition.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch's power running boards made entry easy, and the heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, added comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults. Cargo space was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both rows down. The Expedition MAX offered even more space.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom, thanks to its tall, flat roofline, which also improved visibility. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, a power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester's interior featured practical storage solutions, though the phone-storage cubby was too small, and wireless charging was not available. The center console was reasonably sized, and the large knobs for audio and climate control were user-friendly.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system was slow to load and respond. Other highlights included FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. Pro Trailer Backup Assist was a valuable feature for those who frequently towed.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, though slow to boot up. Additional screens displayed secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester also featured a unique DriverFocus system to monitor driver distraction.