Compare the Subaru Ascent and Ford Explorer in Augusta, ME

Compare the Subaru Ascent to the Ford Explorer on Features and Cost

When you're searching for a large SUV to handle the needs of you and your family in South Portland, there are a few options. At Charlie's Subaru, our recommendation is the 2019 Subaru Ascent. Equipped with a variety of standard active safety and technology features, it stands above popular competitors like the Ford Explorer. The Subaru Ascent is the right choice for drivers Portland, ME and Bangor and it's the more affordable choice, too!

The Ascent offers impressive traction control for drivers trying out some off-road adventures and provides comfort and capability for any situation. All combined, the Subaru three-row SUV has a lot to offer drivers on the Maine coast and here at our Augusta, ME dealership, we're happy to show you how the competition stacks up against the Ascent. See why it's our preferred choice today!

Power and Performance

The Subaru Ascent comes standard with one engine option while the Ford Explorer offers three available choices. Both models are built for different situations, though. The Ascent handles rough roads and weather with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-MODE® feature that is ready for any terrain change. The Ford Explorer, while powerful, does not come standard with all-wheel drive and isn't quite up to the challenge of off-road exploring that the Ascent has mastered.

Pricing

If you're looking to save money in Auburn, the 2019 Subaru Ascent is more affordable than the Ford Explorer. The Ford SUV costs about $1,000 more than the Subaru model but the Subaru comes standard with active safety features, all-wheel drive and smartphone integration features- none of these are standard with the Ford Explorer base model. The Touring trim, the most expensive option from the Ascent lineup, is $10,000 dollars cheaper than the Explorer's apex model. With more standard features, the 2019 Subaru Ascent is the better value.

Features

For drivers in Portland, ME, both models are well-equipped with some stellar features to help enjoy those long drives. The Subaru Ascent offers its drivers standard Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration as well as a 6.5-inch touchscreen with the base model. The Ford Explorer does make similar features available but you need to upgrade to more expensive trim configurations to access them.

The Ford Explorer is spacious and offers seating for up to seven passengers in a setup much like the Subaru Ascent offers. However, the Explorer does not offer as much interior room for passengers to stretch out in and the maximum available cargo space won't be able to accommodate as much as the Subaru Ascent.

The base engine package for the 2019 Subaru Ascent manages better fuel economy than the Ford Explorer with up to 27 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg in the city. The Ford Explorer only offers 17 in the city and 24 on the highway.

Safety

Every Subaru model offers an impressive array of safety features with the EyeSight® Driver Assist technology with standard benefits like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and lane departure and sway warning. These features help to keep an extra pair of eyes on the road at all times. The Ford Explorer can offer similar options but none of them are standard and they don't compare to the all-encompassing package that the Ascent brings to the table

Visit Charlie's Subaru to Test Drive the 2019 Subaru Ascent

For drivers from Bangor, Augusta, ME, Portland, ME, Auburn and South Portland, the Subaru Ascent blends style, performance and modern technology into one seamless three-rowed package. It's no surprise to us that it comes out ahead of most of its competition including the 2019 Ford Explorer.

If you would like to explore the capabilities of the 2019 Subaru Ascent, swing by our August, ME dealership and check out what it can do. Once you get behind the wheel, you won't be able to wait to cruise around coastal Maine in your new Ascent model!