Ford vs. Subaru
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Ford and Subaru contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Ford and Subaru cars.
When comparing the Ford brand to the Subaru brand, Ford has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, fuel efficiency, overall quality, safety, vehicle rankings and variety of models offered. Subaru has the advantage in the areas of depreciation, horsepower, towing capacity, reliability and retained value.
Ford versus Subaru: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Ford versus Subaru pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Ford in 5 out of 7 vehicle comparisons. Ford and Subaru both also have lower used vehicle starting prices in 1 out of 2 comparisons. Subaru models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 7 out of 7 comparisons.
Ford versus Subaru: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Subaru vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 3 out of 7 model comparisons, with Ford offering more horsepower in 3 comparisons. Ford and Subaru vehicles have similar horsepower in 1 comparisons. Ford offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 2 out of 2 comparisons. Subaru offers a longer driving range in 1 out of 1 model comparisons. Subaru offers a greater towing capacity in 3 out of 6 comparisons. Ford offers greater towing capacity in 2 out of 6 comparisons, and in 1 comparisons Ford and Subaru have the same towing capacity.
Ford versus Subaru: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Ford versus Subaru overall quality ratings shows Ford with higher quality ratings in 2 out of 2 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Subaru has the advantage in 2 out of 2 comparisons. Ford has better safety ratings in 4 out of 6 comparisons. Ford and Subaru tie for safety in 2 comparisons. Subaru shows higher ratings for retained value in 7 out of 7 comparisons.
Best Car Rankings: Ford has better car rankings in 6 categories: Ford Expedition in Best 5-seater SUVs, Ford Mustang (coupe) in Best Coupes, Ford Explorer in Best Crossover SUVs, Ford Fusion in Best Midsize Cars, Ford Escape in Best Small SUVs, and Ford Mustang (coupe) in Best Sports Cars. Subaru has the better car ranking in 1 category: Crosstrek in Best Subcompact SUVs.
Most Reliable Car Rankings: Ford has better car rankings in 4 categories: Ford Flex in Most Reliable Crossover SUVs, Ford Fusion in Most Reliable Midsize Cars, Ford Mustang (coupe) in Most Reliable Sports Cars, and Ford EcoSport in Most Reliable Subcompact SUVs. Subaru has the better car ranking in 1 category: Outback (suv) in Most Reliable Small SUVs.
Safest Car Rankings: Ford has better car rankings in 4 categories: Ford Explorer in Safest Crossover SUVs, Ford Fusion in Safest Midsize Cars, Ford Explorer in Safest Midsize SUVs, and Ford Expedition in Safest SUVs with 3 Rows.
Best Cars for the Money Rankings: Ford has better car rankings in 2 categories: Ford Escape in Best Crossover SUVs for the Money and Ford Escape in Best Small SUVs for the Money.Subaru has the better car ranking in 1 category: BRZ in Best Sports Cars for the Money.
Available Body Styles: Ford offers 11 SUVs, 1 coupe, 1 convertible, and 1 minivan. In comparison, Subaru offers 6 SUVs, 1 wagon, 3 sedans, and 1 coupe.
Drivetrain Options: Ford offers 14 gasoline vehicles, 4 hybrids, 1 plug-in hybrid, and 2 electric vehicles. Subaru offers 8 gasoline vehicles, 1 plug-in hybrid, and 1 electric vehicle.
Ford offers 9 all-wheel-drive models, 5 front-wheel-drive models, and 3 rear-wheel-drive models. Subaru offers 8 all-wheel-drive models and 1 rear-wheel-drive model.
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
$31,055 - $42,898
Ford Bronco Sport
$31,055 - $42,898
Ford Escape
$29,865 - $40,820
Ford Escape
$29,865 - $40,820
Ford Edge
$37,700 - $51,431
Ford Explorer
$40,144 - $62,004
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
$44,856 - $61,270
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Forester
$31,497 - $38,867
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,899 - $42,165
Subaru Forester
$31,497 - $38,867
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,899 - $42,165
Subaru Ascent
$39,525 - $51,240
Subaru Ascent
$39,525 - $51,240
EVs
Subaru Solterra
$44,538 - $55,197
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
$29,976 - $40,812
Ford Bronco Sport
$29,976 - $40,812
Ford Escape
$28,542 - $37,394
Ford Escape
$28,542 - $37,394
Ford Edge
$35,380 - $48,659
Ford Explorer
$39,237 - $59,113
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Not Yet Available
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Forester
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
Not Yet Available
Subaru Forester
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
Not Yet Available
Subaru Ascent
$37,997 - $50,715
Subaru Ascent
$37,997 - $50,715
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not Yet Available
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
45.5%
Ford Bronco Sport
45.5%
Ford Escape
46.4%
Ford Escape
46.4%
Ford Edge
50.3%
Ford Explorer
47.6%
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
57.9%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Subaru Forester
34.5%
Subaru Outback (suv)
39.3%
Subaru Forester
34.5%
Subaru Outback (suv)
39.3%
Subaru Ascent
44.1%
Subaru Ascent
44.1%
EVs
Subaru Solterra
48.7%
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
181 hp / 190 foot-lbs
Ford Bronco Sport
181 hp / 190 foot-lbs
Ford Escape
180 hp / 199 foot-lbs
Ford Escape
180 hp / 199 foot-lbs
Ford Edge
250 hp / 275 foot-lbs
Ford Explorer
300 hp / 310 foot-lbs
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
266 hp / 317 foot-lbs
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Subaru Ascent
260 hp / 277 foot-lbs
Subaru Ascent
260 hp / 277 foot-lbs
EVs
Subaru Solterra
215 hp / 249 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
25 / 29 / 26
Ford Bronco Sport
25 / 29 / 26
Ford Escape
27 / 34 / 30
Ford Escape
27 / 34 / 30
Ford Edge
21 / 28 / 23
Ford Explorer
21 / 28 / 24
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Subaru Forester
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
Not Yet Available
Subaru Forester
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
Not Yet Available
Subaru Ascent
20 / 26 / 22
Subaru Ascent
20 / 26 / 22
EV Range
Ford Mustang Mach-E
224 miles
EV Range
Subaru Solterra
228 miles
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
2200 lbs
Ford Bronco Sport
2200 lbs
Ford Escape
3500 lbs
Ford Escape
3500 lbs
Ford Edge
3500 lbs
Ford Explorer
5600 lbs
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Not yet available
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
Subaru Ascent
5000 lbs
Subaru Ascent
5000 lbs
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not yet available
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
Not available
Ford Bronco Sport
Not available
Ford Escape
8.6 / 10
Ford Escape
8.6 / 10
Ford Edge
8.7 / 10
Ford Explorer
8.7 / 10
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Not available
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.5 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.5 / 10
Subaru Ascent
Not available
Subaru Ascent
Not available
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
Not available
Ford Bronco Sport
Not available
Ford Escape
8.2 / 10
Ford Escape
8.2 / 10
Ford Edge
8.6 / 10
Ford Explorer
8.5 / 10
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
8.3 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.6 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.3 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.6 / 10
Subaru Ascent
Not available
Subaru Ascent
Not available
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not available
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
10 / 10
Ford Bronco Sport
10 / 10
Ford Escape
10 / 10
Ford Escape
10 / 10
Ford Edge
10 / 10
Ford Explorer
10 / 10
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Not available
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
Subaru Ascent
10 / 10
Subaru Ascent
10 / 10
EVs
Subaru Solterra
10 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
7.7 / 10
Ford Bronco Sport
7.7 / 10
Ford Escape
7.6 / 10
Ford Escape
7.6 / 10
Ford Edge
7.4 / 10
Ford Explorer
7.5 / 10
EVs
Ford Mustang Mach-E
6.9 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
8.4 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.1 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.4 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.1 / 10
Subaru Ascent
7.8 / 10
Subaru Ascent
7.8 / 10
EVs
Subaru Solterra
7.5 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Ford Escape
#3 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Ford Escape
#3 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#6 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#7 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Ford Escape
#6 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Ford Escape
#6 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#4 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#2 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
iSeeCars Safest Car Rankings
SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
#22 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Ford Bronco Sport
#22 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Ford Escape
#8 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Ford Escape
#8 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Ford Edge
#6 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Ford Explorer
#4 of 39 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
iSeeCars Safest Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#33 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Outback
#34 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Forester
#33 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Outback
#34 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Ascent
#20 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Ascent
#7 of 39 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Ford Escape
#4 of 13 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Ford Escape
#4 of 13 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#8 of 13 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Subaru Outback
#10 of 13 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money