2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2022 Ford Explorer

Both the 2022 Subaru Ascent and the 2022 Ford Explorer impressed with their distinctive aesthetics and attention to detail. The Subaru Ascent, especially in the new Onyx Edition trim, embraced the trend of blacking out exterior trims, giving it a sporty and sleek appearance. Priced from $32,295 to $45,445, the Ascent offered a range of trims—Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring. The Onyx Edition, in particular, stood out with its black exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, unique grille design, and water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats. Inside, the use of gray two-tone StarTex upholstery with light gray stitching and metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels created a sophisticated ambiance. However, the seats did tend to trap sweat against the body on hot days, which was a downside.

The 2022 Ford Explorer presented a broader lineup with eight models, ranging from $33,745 to $54,495. The notable enhancement for 2022 was the inclusion of the sportier ST-Line trim. The King Ranch model, used for testing, boasted luxurious features like Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts, King Ranch branding, and shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels. However, apart from the unique emblems and quad exhaust outlets, it didn’t offer much to visually distinguish it from other trims. The Explorer’s bold design included a long and tall hood, short front overhang, rakish roofline, and blacked-out roof pillars for a floating roof effect. Inside, the King Ranch’s interior was a mix of high-quality and less impressive materials, ensuring a mostly premium feel but occasionally reminding users of the Explorer’s base roots.

Under the hood, the 2022 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD), this setup delivered an efficient performance with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined. The horizontally-opposed layout of the engine contributed to a lower center of gravity and improved handling. Drivers appreciated the car’s responsive acceleration, nimble handling, and competent performance on urban, suburban, and country roads. The Ascent's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance offered decent off-roading capabilities. However, on freeways, the lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies created an unstable ride quality when engaged.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided a versatile range of powertrains. The base model, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, good for 24 mpg combined. The hybrid drivetrain, available for the Limited trim, combined a 3.3-liter V6 engine for a total of 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, achieving up to 27 mpg combined and towing up to 5,000 lbs. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine in the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims produced 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, offering an exhilarating driving experience with a 5,600 lbs towing capacity, though at the expense of fuel efficiency (21 mpg combined). The Explorer King Ranch averaged 20.6 mpg during testing. The Explorer showcased a robust ride reminiscent of traditional SUVs, capable of moderately challenging off-road terrain even with 7.9 inches of ground clearance.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent offered commendable interior space and functionality. Seating up to eight (with a second-row bench), it was ideal for families, though the third row was best suited for kids. Accessing the second row was a breeze thanks to wide rear doors, and the available captain’s chairs added a touch of luxury. Practical features included triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a variety of storage solutions, including a useful dashboard shelf. The cargo space was ample, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. The shallow storage area under the floor further enhanced cargo management.

For the 2022 Ford Explorer, comfort and space were tailored more for families of four. Even with a second-row bench seat, carrying five was only occasional. The third row was difficult for adults to access and lacked legroom. A fully-equipped King Ranch offered added comfort with triple-zone climate control, power-adjustable seats, massaging front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. Storage within the cabin was less impressive, with missed opportunities for additional compartments. Cargo space was slightly larger than the Ascent, with 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in base trim, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services and a WiFi hotspot. Although not Subaru's latest system, it was user-friendly with physical volume and tuning knobs. The Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers were not the highest quality, and the voice recognition technology required improvement. Touring trim added a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system, with either an 8-inch horizontally-mounted touchscreen or a 10.1-inch portrait-style screen. The King Ranch tested had the complete suite of Sync 3 features, including FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system. However, the outdated Sync 3 system showed limitations in voice recognition, struggling with specific commands and destinations. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, while the available rear-seat entertainment system catered to backseat passengers.

Both vehicles scored high marks for safety. The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, achieving top ratings in all evaluations except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance from the NHTSA. Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance technology came standard, offering features like advanced adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. However, performance issues arose in direct sunlight and the technology showed refinement needs, which might lead to inconsistent use.

Similarly, the 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. While the NHTSA ratings were incomplete for 2022, the SUV had previously earned top marks except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. Ford equipped every Explorer with Co-Pilot360, which included essential safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Overall, these systems operated smoothly and effectively, though some sensitivity adjustments were needed for lane-centering functionality.