2015 Ford Explorer vs 2015 Subaru Outback

2015 Ford Explorer

2015 Subaru Outback

Select style

4WD 4-Door Base

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Base	17	23	$30,820	$32,700
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Limited	17	23	$37,487	$40,200
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Sport	16	22	$40,191	$43,100
Explorer 4WD 4-Door XLT	17	23	$32,638	$35,000
Explorer FWD 4-Door Base	17	24	$28,935	$30,700
Explorer FWD 4-Door Limited	17	24	$35,622	$38,200
Explorer FWD 4-Door XLT	17	24	$30,773	$33,000

Select style

4-Door Wgn 2.5i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Outback 4-Door Wgn 2.5i	25	33	$23,407	$24,895
Outback 4-Door Wgn 2.5i Limited	25	33	$28,106	$29,995
Outback 4-Door Wgn 2.5i Limited PZEV	25	33	$28,417	$30,295
Outback 4-Door Wgn 2.5i PZEV	25	33	$23,717	$25,195
Outback 4-Door Wgn 2.5i Premium	25	33	$25,394	$26,995
Outback 4-Door Wgn 2.5i Premium PZEV	25	33	$25,706	$27,295
Outback 4-Door Wgn 3.6R Limited	20	27	$30,860	$32,995

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$30,820

$23,407

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$32,700

$24,895

Monthly Payment Estimate

$545 / month

$415 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.4

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2015 Ford Explorer has a historic name, but it's a much more comfortable, road-worthy vehicle than it ever was in the past.

The 2015 Subaru Outback is as much of a tough, safe family wagon as ever; but this year, its brawn doesn't come with as much compromise in comfort and quiet.

TCC Likes

Great ride quality
Good gas mileage for its three rows
Stocky SUV look, in a crossover

Agile handling for a crossover
Much-improved infotainment
EyeSight active safety

TCC Dislikes

Not much ruggedness under it all
Middle seat needs a lift
Lower-power turbo four costs more

Definitely an evolutionary look
Manual gearbox is gone
Limited skimps on passenger seat

Fuel Economy

City

17 mpg

25 mpg

Highway

23 mpg

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

39.8

38.1

Front Head Room (in)

41.4

40.8

Second Hip Room (in)

56.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.3

58.1

Third Leg Room (in)

33.2

Second Head Room (in)

40.5

38.9

Third Hip Room (in)

40.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

151.7

108.1

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.3

Front Leg Room (in)

40.6

42.9

Third Head Room (in)

37.8

Front Hip Room (in)

57.3

55.5

Third Shoulder Room (in)

50.8

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.2

Wheelbase (in)

112.6

108.1

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.9

72.4

Track Width, Front (in)

61.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.3

8.7

Length, Overall (in)

197.1

189.6

Height, Overall (in)

66.1

Liftover Height (in)

27.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

80.7

73.3

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

35.5

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

43.8

35.5

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

46.3

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

32.5

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

41.8

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

42.5

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

77.7

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8

12.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8

11.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.6

18.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.9

36.1

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P245/60HR18

P225/65HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P245/60HR18

P225/65HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

270

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

270

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

2700

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

2700

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

2000

2700

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4610

3593

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

17 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

17 X 7

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

650

490

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

175

110

Engine

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded V-6

Regular Unleaded H-4

Fuel System

Sequential MPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

255 @ 4000

174 @ 4000

Engine Order Code

998-1

Displacement

3.5 L/213

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

290 @ 6500

175 @ 5800

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.88

3.67

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.87

Trans Order Code

44J

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.41

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.74

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.48

3.58 - 0.62

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.65

4.11

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.84

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

All Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Body Style

Sport Utility

Vehicle Name

Ford Explorer

Subaru Outback

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

9.3

6.3

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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