Ford Explorer vs Subaru Outback: Specs Compared
Also searched as Subaru Outback vs Ford Explorer specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Subaru Outback is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 29 mpg combined versus 28 mpg for the Ford Explorer, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Subaru Outback leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Ford Explorer
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 102 configurations
2018–2027
Subaru Outback
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 26 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 28 mpg | 29 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 26 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 29 mpg | 33 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,200 | $2,100 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 322 g/mi | 308 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start | SIDI, 2.5, 3.6 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S10), Automatic 10-spd, Automatic (S6) | Automatic (AV-S8), Automatic (AV-S7), Automatic (AV-S6) |
| Drivetrains | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Gasoline or E85 | Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2018–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 102 | 26 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Ford Explorer vs Subaru Outback dimensions and size
The Ford Explorer is 7.1 inches longer than the Subaru Outback on a wheelbase 11 inches longer, and 491.6 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Ford Explorer (2026) | Subaru Outback (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8 in | 191.7 in | 7.1 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 78.7 in | 74 in | 4.7 in |
| Height | 70.1 in | 67.3 in | 2.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 119.3 in | 108.3 in | 11 in |
| Curb weight | 4,458 lbs | 3,966 lbs | 492 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Ford Explorer vs Subaru Outback: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Subaru Outback burns about $2,100 of fuel annually against $2,200 for the Ford Explorer. That $100 yearly gap compounds to roughly $500 over five years and $800 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Ford Explorer is the stronger commuter at 27 mpg city, while the Subaru Outback pulls ahead on the interstate at 33 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Ford Explorer is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV), the Subaru Outback with 3 (SIDI, 2.5, 3.6). Across 102 recorded Ford Explorer configurations and 26 for the Subaru Outback, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Ford Explorer is offered with Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, the Subaru Outback with All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Subaru Outback emits 308 g/mile of CO2 versus 322 g/mile for the Ford Explorer. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Explorer vs Outback: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford Explorer or the Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 29 mpg combined versus 28 mpg for the Ford Explorer, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Subaru Outback runs about $2,100 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,200 for the Ford Explorer — a difference of roughly $100 per year.
What engines do the Explorer and Outback offer?
Ford Explorer: SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start. Subaru Outback: SIDI, 2.5, 3.6.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Ford Explorer as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and the Subaru Outback as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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