Compare 2012 Ford Explorer vs 2012 Subaru Outback

2012 Ford Explorer
2012 Subaru Outback
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4WD 4-Door Base
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Base 17 23 $28,677 $30,280
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Limited 17 23 $37,088 $39,855
Explorer 4WD 4-Door XLT 17 23 $31,847 $34,095
Explorer FWD 4-Door Base 18 25 $26,837 $28,280
Explorer FWD 4-Door Limited 18 25 $35,268 $37,855
Explorer FWD 4-Door XLT 18 25 $30,027 $32,095
Select style
4-Door Wgn H4 Automatic 2.5i
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Automatic 2.5i 22 29 $22,857 $24,295
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Automatic 2.5i Limited 22 29 $26,913 $28,695
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Automatic 2.5i Limited PZEV 22 29 $27,222 $28,995
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Automatic 2.5i PZEV 22 29 $23,165 $24,595
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Automatic 2.5i Premium 22 29 $24,288 $25,795
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Automatic 2.5i Premium PZEV 22 29 $24,599 $26,095
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Manual 2.5i 19 27 $21,939 $23,295
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Manual 2.5i PZEV 19 27 $22,247 $23,595
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Manual 2.5i Premium 19 27 $23,370 $24,795
Outback 4-Door Wgn H4 Manual 2.5i Premium PZEV 19 27 $23,681 $25,095
Outback 4-Door Wgn H6 Automatic 3.6R 18 25 $26,460 $28,295
Outback 4-Door Wgn H6 Automatic 3.6R Limited 18 25 $29,667 $31,695
Outback 4-Door Wgn H6 Automatic 3.6R Premium 18 25 $27,692 $29,495
Pricing
Invoice Price
$28,677
$22,857
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$30,280
$24,295
Monthly Payment Estimate
$505 / month
$405 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.6
7.8
TCC’s Bottom Line
It's a rifle shot at the heart of the crossover market: the 2012 Ford Explorer gives any SUV loyalist a reason to leap off their very high horse. Like any all-around athlete, the 2012 Subaru Outback blends capable performance and rewarding handling, surprising interior volume and great versatility, with versatility and enough high-end options to keep most buyers quite happy.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
17 mpg 22 mpg
Highway
23 mpg 29 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Interior Dimensions
Third Shoulder Room (in)
50.8 -
Second Leg Room (in)
39.8 37.8
Front Head Room (in)
41.4 40.8
Passenger Volume (ft³)
151.7 105.4
Second Hip Room (in)
56.7 - TBD -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
61.3 56.3
Third Leg Room (in)
33.2 -
Second Head Room (in)
40.5 39.3
Passenger Capacity
7 5
Third Hip Room (in)
40.7 -
Second Shoulder Room (in)
61.0 56.1
Front Leg Room (in)
40.6 43.0
Third Head Room (in)
37.8 -
Front Hip Room (in)
57.3 - TBD -
Exterior Dimensions
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Track Width, Rear (in)
67.0 61.0
Wheelbase (in)
112.6 107.9
Rear Door Opening Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
78.9 71.7
Track Width, Front (in)
67.0 61.0
Min Ground Clearance (in)
7.6 8.7
Length, Overall (in)
197.1 188.2
Rear Door Opening Width (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Height, Overall (in)
70.4 65.7
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
43.8 34.3
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
80.7 71.3
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)
- TBD - NA
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
21.0 NA
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Brakes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
- TBD - 11.6 x - TBD -
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
- TBD - 11.3 x - TBD -
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
18.6 18.5
Steering
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - NA
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
15.8 16.1
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
38.9 36.8
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- TBD - 3.2
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P245/65R17 215/70R16
Rear Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA
Front Tire Size
P245/65R17 215/70R16
Spare Tire Size
Compact - TBD -
Front Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
200 270
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
300 405
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
2000 2700
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
2000 2700
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
4732 3495
Wheels
Spare Wheel Material
Steel - TBD -
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 16 x 6.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact - TBD -
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 16 x 6.5
Front Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - - TBD -
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
650 - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
175 110
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
255 @ 4100 170 @ 4000
Engine Order Code
998 NA
Displacement
3.5L/213 2.5L/150
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
290 @ 6500 170 @ 5600
Engine Type
Gas V6 Gas Flat 4
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
23 29
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
17 22
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
19 24
Transmission
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.84 NA
Trans Type
6 1
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High
1.00 -
Drivetrain
Four Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 NA
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
2.88 2.36
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.87 NA
Trans Order Code
44J NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.39 3.90
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.41 NA
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/manual shift Continuously Variable Ratio
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low
NA -
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.74 NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.48 3.53 - 0.61
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
- NA
Summary
Vehicle Name
Ford Explorer Subaru Outback
Body Style
Sport Utility Vehicle Wagon
Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
0.86 NA
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - NA
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
1.26 NA
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Double Wishbone
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - NA
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson strut MacPherson Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
9.6 7.8
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
3 5
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating

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