2025 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with minor updates to the Wilderness trim, featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark grey cladding contrasted beautifully with the Autumn Green Metallic paint, giving it a unique appeal. The Outback's trims varied in their use of black and chrome, with the Premier XT trim showcasing tasteful chrome accents. Wheel designs differed across trims, with the Wilderness trim sporting matte black wheels. Inside, the Premier XT impressed with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a luxurious feel uncommon for Subaru.

In contrast, the 2025 Ford Explorer presented a sleeker design with a restyled front end, enhancing its rugged appearance. The rear featured new LED taillights and a trim strip with the SUV’s name. Interior updates significantly improved the Explorer's ambiance, making it competitive in its segment. Ford reduced the trim levels to four, including the new base Active trim and the sporty ST-Line. The Explorer's interior was praised for its comfort and quality, especially in the ST-Line with its black artificial leather upholstery and cloth inserts.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a choice between a 2.5-litre flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine producing 260 horsepower. The turbo engine, standard on the Wilderness trim, increased towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Lineartronic CVT were standard, providing a smooth ride. The Outback excelled in off-road conditions, especially the Wilderness trim with its higher ground clearance and all-terrain tires.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured two EcoBoost engines: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a 3.0-litre V6 with 400 horsepower, standard on the ST trim. All models came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Explorer offered multiple driving modes, enhancing its versatility. Fuel economy varied, with the four-cylinder achieving 10.4 L/100 km combined. The Explorer's performance was commendable, especially in the ST-Line with its larger wheels and performance brakes.

The 2024 Subaru Outback provided ample interior space, with superior headroom and legroom compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Cargo space was generous, with 923 litres available with all seats up. Features like dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a power moonroof were standard on most trims. The hands-free power liftgate and retractable roof rails added convenience.

The 2025 Ford Explorer seated six in its standard configuration, with an option for a seven-seat layout. The ST-Line trim offered comfortable seating with heated front seats and ambient lighting. Cargo space was competitive, with 461 litres behind the third row and up to 2,429 litres with seats folded. The Explorer's interior was practical, with useful storage solutions like a dashboard tray.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen on higher trims, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included both USB-C and USB-A ports, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on most trims. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with some physical buttons for convenience.

The 2025 Ford Explorer introduced the Ford Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrumentation. It included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, and wireless smartphone connectivity. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems, with the Platinum trim boasting 14 speakers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with features like Google Maps and app downloads.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. New for 2024 was a wide-angle camera for better pedestrian detection.

The 2025 Ford Explorer came with Ford CoPilot 360 Assist+, offering adaptive cruise control and lane-centring. Higher trims included BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free driving system. The Explorer received high marks for crash tests but had mixed headlight ratings from the IIHS.