2021 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV

2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid vs Subaru Ascent

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,722/ year to fuel
27 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$2,022/ year to fuel
23 MPG

The 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,722 a year to fuel (27 MPG), versus $2,022 for the 2021 Subaru Ascent (23 MPG). That's roughly $300 a year, or about $1,498 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Ford Explorer Hybrid
  • Subaru Ascent

Side by side

Ford Explorer HybridSubaru Ascent
$1,722 Your annual fuel cost $2,022
27 MPG Combined efficiency 23 MPG
27 MPG City 21 MPG
28 MPG Highway 27 MPG
324 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 386 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 5/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 5/10
Hybrid Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
3.3L 6-cyl Engine / motor 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
10-speed automatic Transmission CVT
RWD Drivetrain AWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Ford Explorer Hybrid vs Subaru Ascent across model years

  • Ford Explorer Hybrid
  • Subaru Ascent

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Among 65 2021 midsize & large SUVs, the Ford Explorer Hybrid ranks 4th and the Subaru Ascent 10th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Ford Explorer Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Subaru Ascent is a conventional gas model.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid or the 2021 Subaru Ascent?

Measured by cost to drive, the Ford Explorer Hybrid. The Ford Explorer Hybrid is rated 27 MPG combined and the Subaru Ascent 23 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid vs. the Subaru Ascent per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,722 for the Ford Explorer Hybrid and $2,022 for the Subaru Ascent.

Ford Explorer Hybrid vs Subaru Ascent in other years

More 2021 comparisons

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