CarGurus Header

2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Subaru Outback

2026 Subaru Outback
2026 Subaru Outback
$34,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer
$38,465MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Subaru Outback
$34,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Ford Explorer
$38,465MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$34,995

MSRP

$38,465

Listings

92

Listings

241

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Pros

  • Strong off-road capabilities

  • Comfortable

  • Plenty of cargo space

Cons

  • Higher trim levels have diminishing returns

Pros

  • Comfortable

  • Optional twin-turbo V6

  • Impressive safety ratings

Cons

  • Bland styling

  • Nondescript interior

  • Gets expensive with options

2026 Subaru Outback Reviews Summary

The redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback may look like an SUV, but it retains all the advantages of its wagon predecessors. It's as impressive off-road as it is comfortable on pavement, while numerous feature enhancements are clear indications that Subaru pays close attention to how its customers use their vehicles.

Verdict: In terms of price, performance, and practicality, we found no notable flaws with the redesigned Outback, making it a top choice for adventure-bound shoppers.

2026 Ford Explorer Reviews Summary

The Explorer was one of the first truly family-friendly SUVs, and continues in that role today as a midsize three-row crossover competing against the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse, the Honda Pilot, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Nissan Pathfinder, and the Toyota Highlander. The current-generation Explorer has been around since the 2020 model year, and the big news for 2026 is a Tremor model that replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer. The available BlueCruise driver-assist system also gets an update.

Verdict: Ford’s SUV stalwart still gets the job done, but lacks personality unless you go for the ST or Tremor models.

No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 180 hp H4

Engine

2.3L 300 hp I4

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

RWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

7

Horsepower

180 hp @ 5800 rpm

Horsepower

300 hp @ 5500 rpm

MPG City

25

MPG City

20

MPG Highway

31

MPG Highway

29
2026 Subaru Outback
2026 Subaru Outback
$34,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer
$38,465MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Subaru Outback
$34,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Ford Explorer
$38,465MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$34,995
$38,465
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

5.0

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Read full review

7.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong off-road capabilities

  • Comfortable

  • Plenty of cargo space

Cons

  • Higher trim levels have diminishing returns

Pros

  • Comfortable

  • Optional twin-turbo V6

  • Impressive safety ratings

Cons

  • Bland styling

  • Nondescript interior

  • Gets expensive with options

Summary

The redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback may look like an SUV, but it retains all the advantages of its wagon predecessors. It's as impressive off-road as it is comfortable on pavement, while numerous feature enhancements are clear indications that Subaru pays close attention to how its customers use their vehicles.

Verdict: In terms of price, performance, and practicality, we found no notable flaws with the redesigned Outback, making it a top choice for adventure-bound shoppers.

The Explorer was one of the first truly family-friendly SUVs, and continues in that role today as a midsize three-row crossover competing against the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse, the Honda Pilot, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Nissan Pathfinder, and the Toyota Highlander. The current-generation Explorer has been around since the 2020 model year, and the big news for 2026 is a Tremor model that replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer. The available BlueCruise driver-assist system also gets an update.

Verdict: Ford’s SUV stalwart still gets the job done, but lacks personality unless you go for the ST or Tremor models.

Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.5L 180 hp H4
2.3L 300 hp I4
Drive Train
AWD
RWD
Seating Capacity
5
7
Horsepower
180 hp @ 5800 rpm
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
MPG City
25
20
MPG Highway
31
29

2026 Ford Explorer for Sale

241 results
See all

2026 Subaru Outback for Sale

92 results
See all

2026 Ford Explorer for Sale

Shop Now
241 results

2026 Subaru Outback for Sale

Shop Now
92 results

CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Mazda CX-52025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 INFINITI QX802025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 INFINITI QX802025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Dodge Durango2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Dodge Durango2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Subaru Outback2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Mazda CX-52025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Nissan Armada2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Nissan Armada2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 INFINITI QX802024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Audi Q32024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Honda Pilot2024 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade2024 Audi Q3 vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Lexus RX Hybrid2024 Lexus TX vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Lexus TX2024 Nissan Armada vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 INFINITI QX80 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Subaru Outback2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Mazda CX-52024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Dodge Durango2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Hyundai Venue2024 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Cadillac Escalade2024 INFINITI QX80 vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Dodge Durango2024 Audi Q3 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Subaru Outback vs 2025 INFINITI QX802024 Nissan Armada vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Mazda CX-5 vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Mazda CX-52024 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Nissan Armada2024 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Nissan Armada2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Nissan Armada2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 Subaru Outback2024 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Hyundai Venue vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2024 Subaru Outback2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 INFINITI QX802023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Ford Explorer
CarGurus Footer