2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a modern take on the classic SUV lineup, with a design that echoed Ford's historical branding strategy. Its exterior was sleek and sporty, with a raked beltline and distinctive front visage that set it apart from other brands. The Explorer offered a variety of trim levels, each with unique grille designs ranging from black to full chrome, and prices that spanned from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with a clean dashboard and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, while higher trims boasted leather upholstery.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its redesign in 2019, maintained a classic and boxy appearance that appealed to many SUV shoppers. Its styling was straightforward, with the Sport model adding orange accents and black 18-inch alloy wheels for a more dynamic look. The Forester's interior was practical, with a mix of durable materials and a splash of orange in the Sport trim. It offered cloth upholstery in the Base, Premium, and Sport models, while the Limited and Touring trims featured leather. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, added heated front seats and other conveniences, making the Forester a practical choice for those seeking functionality over flash.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was equipped with a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivered 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight of 4,345 pounds, this engine provided a competitive performance. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering up to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in the Explorer ST. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration, making it a strong contender for those needing towing power.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While the engine's power was adequate for most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for quick highway maneuvers. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll and bounce. However, its standard AWD system, along with X-Mode and Dual X-Mode on Sport models, provided enhanced traction on various surfaces. The Forester's towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, making it less suitable for heavy towing tasks.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom in the second row, which was competitive within its class. With the third row in use, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it versatile for carrying passengers and cargo, though its overall cargo volume was not exceptional compared to some competitors.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, with its five-seat configuration, excelled in providing ample headroom and legroom, thanks to its tall roofline. It offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing some rivals in terms of cargo capacity. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, the Forester's optional power liftgate and practical interior layout made it a convenient choice for families. The center console and cupholders were well-sized, though the phone-storage cubby was small, and wireless charging was not available.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system with up to 14 speakers. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and power outlets, with wireless charging available from the Limited trim upwards.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims added navigation. The Forester's infotainment was user-friendly, though the screen was slow to start. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, though the setup could be overly complex.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was recognized as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. It featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features through the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite.

The 2021 Subaru Forester also received the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, which included adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The Forester was unique in offering a driver-monitoring system, ensuring drivers remained attentive. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.