Which three-row SUV offers better all-weather confidence near Parkville, MD?

Jones Bel Air Subaru - Which three-row SUV offers better all-weather confidence near Parkville, MD?

Shoppers often ask a focused question when cross-shopping these two family SUVs: which one offers greater all-weather confidence for daily life and weekend trips? Both models bring strong credentials, but Subaru’s approach builds capability into every trim rather than making it an option. Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, balanced chassis tuning, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance give Ascent a built-in advantage when rain, snow, or loose surfaces enter the picture. That core hardware is complemented by standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which adds braking support and lane guidance to help keep the family on track when visibility drop,s or traffic gets dense around Parkville, MD.

Ford Explorer offers available all-wheel drive and a wide range of features, including a large touchscreen and an available 360-degree camera system. That said, its rear-wheel-drive foundation means you must select AWD to match Subaru’s traction intent, and ground clearance is lower. Families who want a predictable grip without climbing the trim ladder often find the Subaru strategy more straightforward: the capability that matters most is already included. Add Subaru’s available DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System for attentive trips and available water-repellent StarTex® upholstery for wet days on the sideline, and the Ascent’s design philosophy becomes clear—confidence should be standard, not an add-on.

• Traction baseline: Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard; Explorer’s AWD is available and must be added.
• Ground clearance: Ascent offers 8.7 inches for snow ruts and trailheads; Explorer sits lower.
• Safety layering: EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology is standard across the Ascent lineup; Explorer bundles assistance well but varies by trim.
• Cabin usability: Seven- or eight-passenger seating, easy-fold rows, and available Surround View Monitor simplify busy routines.
• Towing confidence: Both are rated up to 5,000 pounds, but Subaru’s calm chassis tuning helps during crosswinds and on wet pavement.

For many families, the winning formula pairs traction you do not have to think about with a cabin that flexes easily when plans change. The Ascent checks both boxes. Its stable, low center of gravity from the SUBARU BOXER engine helps it feel planted on sweeping highway curves, while the all-weather traction calmly transfers power when one side of the road turns slick. Explorer counters with strong available power and thoughtful technology, yet the need to add AWD and the difference in ride height are recurring considerations for those who want to be ready for surprise storms or gravel access roads without configuring a specific trim.

At Jones Bel Air Subaru, serving Newark, DE, Parkville, MD, and Perry Hall, MD, our product specialists can walk you through how traction control and all-wheel drive strategies translate to real-world driving. We will also demonstrate how standard features interact—braking support, lane centering cues, and surround-view imaging—so you can see how the systems build on each other when the weather changes mid-commute. When your SUV earns its keep during the nine months of imperfect weather, the model with standard, balanced capability tends to feel like the right answer.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does the Ascent’s standard all-wheel drive make a difference in everyday driving?

Yes—because traction is already optimized before conditions deteriorate. You do not have to select a specific trim or package to get full-time balance; the system simply works in the background from your first test drive.

How do the safety systems compare in poor visibility?

Ascent includes EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology on every trim and offers DriverFocus® to help address distraction. Explorer offers a strong suite as well, but the exact feature combination can vary with configuration.

Will I notice the ground clearance difference in routine use?

You will notice it most during heavy snow, rutted parking areas, or unpaved access roads. The Ascent’s 8.7-inch figure provides extra margin before the underbody encounters packed snow or uneven surfaces.

When you are weighing all-weather assurance, the Ascent’s standard specification—and the way its systems cooperate—tends to deliver the quietly confident feel families want, without requiring you to chase an options list. We welcome you to test the traction and visibility features back-to-back to see how they behave during realistic scenarios. Jones Bel Air Subaru looks forward to helping you find the right fit for your driveway.

Request more 2026 Subaru Ascent information