2020 Subaru Ascent vs. 2020 Ford Explorer: who wins?
2020 Subaru Ascent vs. 2020 Ford Explorer: who wins?
Posted on September 14, 2020
Often imitated but never equaled, the Ford Explorer has always been synonymous with ruggedness and elegance. And while the competition is fiercer than ever in its class, the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer easily manages to stay ahead of the pack and once again offers state-of-the-art features, powerful engines and many new innovations. Your Ford dealer of choice in Laval near the North Shore of Montreal, 440 Ford, tells you more about its advantages over its rivals, including the 2020 Subaru Ascent!
A sensational look
The 2020 Explorer was already a success and it has outdone itself: a completely redesigned 2020 Explorer now features up to 21-inch wheels (compared to 18 to 20 inches for the Ascent), an all-new grille, quad exhaust tips and distinctive LED lighting, to name a few. One thing's for sure, you won't go unnoticed on the road with your Explorer! 
Power to spare
The 2020 vintage of the Explorer is the most powerful to date! What's more, you'll have a wide range of engines to choose from, while the 2020 Ascent offers only one, a 260-hp, 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo engine; this is less than the Ford SUV’s least powerful engine, which offers you the following choices:
- A 300-hp, 2.3L 4-cylinder EcoBoost,
- A 365-hp, 3.0L twin-turbo V6,
- A 400-hp, 3.0L twin-turbo V6.
And new for the Explorer in 2020: by opting for the Limited version, you will be able to choose a hybrid powertrain! It features a naturally aspirated 3.3-litre V6 engine, coupled with a 44-horsepower electric motor that will give you a net output of 318 horsepower (Limited HEV). Note that no hybrid version is available on the 2020 Ascent. 
As for towing capacity, depending on the version selected, the Explorer boasts maximum capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 lb, while on the Ascent side, they only go from 2,000 to 5,000 lb.
A spacious and sleek interior
With seating for up to 7 passengers in three rows, the Explorer for sale in Laval also offers a generous cargo volume of up to 2,487 litres once the 2nd and 3rd rows are folded down, more than most versions of the Subaru SUV, which has a cargo volume behind the first row of seats of 2,435 litres. Other interior features include Multicontour seats with Active Motion (absent from the Ascent), which provides even more comfort for front passengers. You'll also notice changes to the dashboard, made from carbon fiber, a generously sized panoramic moonroof, heated seats in the first 2 rows, tri-zone temperature control and more, depending on the model selected. 
Many technologies are also present on board the Explorer, such as a B&O audio system with 14 speakers and a phenomenal output of 980 watts—compared to 792 watts for the Subaru's Harman Kardon system—a dashboard with a 12.3-inch screen—absent from the Ascent—a 10.1-inch vertical touchscreen (versus an 8-inch touchscreen on the rival's side), Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, as well as the FordPass Connect system with wireless hotspot for up to 10 devices up to 15 metres away from the vehicle, to name a few.
Safety is a priority at Ford
Many safety features and technologies can be found in your 2020 Ford Explorer, including the Ford Co-Pilot360 system with Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring System (BLIS), Auto High-Beam Headlamps, Lane-Keeping System, rear view camera, Evasive Steering Assist and more, depending on which version you choose. 
As you can see, the new 2020 Ford Explorer has everything to please, and offers many advantages over its rival, the 2020 Subaru Ascent! To learn more about the different versions of this Ford SUV, about the differences between 2020 Ascent and 2020 Explorer, or to book a test drive, don't delay any longer and come and meet one of our advisers at 440 Ford in Laval, close to Montreal!