2025 BMW X3 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with a few updates, notably in the Wilderness trim, which featured a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding contrasted beautifully with the Autumn Green Metallic paint, giving it a unique appeal. The Outback's various trims offered different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim showcasing the most chrome, which was tastefully done. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim sporting matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Onyx Edition and higher trims featured larger, more refined wheels. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a level of luxury unexpected from Subaru, which traditionally focused more on capability than luxury.

In contrast, the 2025 BMW X3 presented a seductive and athletic appearance for a two-box SUV. Its long hood, captivating dashboard-to-axle ratio, and tapering greenhouse and roofline contributed to its sporty look. The test model's Arctic Race Blue paint, with its chilly silver undertones, complemented the machined surface wheel finish and gloss black M Sport details. Inside, the X3's cabin was simple yet elegant, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Veganza artificial leather upholstery looked and felt authentic, while the angular trim elements illuminated at night, adding to the cabin's visual appeal. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, with passengers positioned too low and longer-legged individuals finding the hard front seat-back panels uncomfortable.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This turbo setup increased the towing capacity from 2,700 to 3,500 lbs. The Touring XT test car, with its turbo engine, provided a better driving experience, managing the vehicle's weight more effectively. The CVT mimicked the sound and feel of eight distinct gears, enhancing the driving experience. The Outback's suspension and reasonably sized wheels contributed to a comfortable ride, while the Wilderness trim offered 9.2 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain tires for off-road adventures.

The 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite its 4,176-pound weight, the X3 achieved a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds, thanks to its eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive AWD system. The engine's power curve provided peak torque and horsepower from 1,600 rpm to 6,500 rpm, ensuring responsive performance. The X3 also included a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing off-the-line responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the M50 xDrive offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The X3's sport-tuned suspension and 21-inch wheels provided a dynamic driving experience, though the ride quality on imperfect roads was less comfortable. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivered impressive fuel economy, though our test vehicle fell short of the official EPA rating.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered ample interior space despite its sleeker proportions. It provided more headroom up front than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and its front-row legroom was superior to both models. The Outback's cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Feature availability was a highlight, with dual-zone climate control standard on all but the base trim, and heated front seats starting with the Premium trim. The Touring trim offered ventilated front seats, while the Onyx Edition included a heated steering wheel. The hands-free power liftgate was optional on the Premium trim and standard on higher trims, and the Outback's raised roof rails with retractable cross bars were a practical addition.

The 2025 BMW X3 provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and Veganza artificial leather upholstery. The dashboard housed a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The cargo area measured 31.5 cubic feet and included a lightweight, easy-to-remove cargo cover, netted storage, and a grocery bag hook. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo and passenger arrangements. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, with passengers positioned too low and longer-legged individuals finding the hard front seat-back panels uncomfortable.

The 2024 Subaru Outback Touring featured a CD player, USB-C and USB-A ports, and an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless functionality starting with the Premium trim. The climate controls were managed through the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. Wi-Fi capability was available on all but the base trim, and most trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2025 BMW X3's BMW Curved Display housed a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, powered by the new iDrive 9 software. Despite its potential, the system experienced issues with profile creation and access to BMW Digital Services. The navigation system, with its optional augmented video feature, provided accurate directions and arrival time estimates. Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity worked flawlessly, offering a reliable alternative to the native infotainment features.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, automatic pre-collision braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Onyx Edition, and the Touring trim featured a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.

The 2025 BMW X3's driver assistance features were more rewarding than its infotainment system. The standard Active Driving Assistant suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and active blind-spot monitoring. The Premium Package added adaptive cruise control and Steering Assistant technology, while the Parking Assistant Professional Package offered semi-automated parking tech. The optional Driving Assistant Professional Package included hands-free Traffic Jam Assistant and Lane Change Assistant. The X3 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact crash test.