2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and giving it a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and rough-grained plastic dominating the cabin. The switchgear felt solid, but the overall interior quality did not match the exterior's appeal.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru Ascent had a practical and utilitarian look, reminiscent of a puffed-up Subaru Forester. Gray plastic cladding provided 360-degree protection, while an oversized grille and exaggerated fender flares added visual strength. The robust roof rails and appealing 20-inch aluminum wheels on three of the four trim levels demonstrated clarity of purpose. The Touring trim, with its premium leather, panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim, offered a more luxurious feel. The interior was stylish, with quality materials and thoughtful details, making it feel like you were getting your money's worth. CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium trim with the Convenience and Sporty option packages for a similar look and feel at a lower price.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, providing a more balanced weight distribution. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ST's powertrain delivered smooth, uninterrupted power, and the suspension and steering upgrades made it a nimble and responsive vehicle. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. The towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine. The Explorer's seven drive modes allowed for optimal performance in various conditions.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive (AWD). With 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, it provided good acceleration. However, the Ascent's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 18.9 mpg in real-world testing. The CVT produced uneven power delivery, and the shifter felt cheap. The Ascent's suspension struggled with undulating road surfaces, and the brakes heated up quickly. Despite these issues, the Ascent excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered ample interior space, with comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the third row. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof. The cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it easy to use, but the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent provided comfort with soft leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable and offered sliding adjustments for legroom. The third row was accessible and provided acceptable space for short trips. The cargo space measured 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Ascent's upright liftgate and rear glass made the cargo area more useful. The interior featured a super-useful dashboard shelf, ambient lighting, and logically laid-out controls.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The touchscreen was high-resolution and well-organized, but the instrument panel felt unfinished. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving but was not as effective as competitors' systems.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured a Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim included a high-resolution screen and navigation. The voice-control system was outdated, and the navigation system had issues with accuracy. However, the Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound quality, and USB ports in all three rows were convenient. The Ascent also offered a PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had not been tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful indicators onto the windshield, and the rear-seat reminder system prevented leaving important items in the backseat. Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, and the Security Plus upgrade plan was free for six months.