2025 BMW X3 vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Subaru Forester underwent a noticeable visual transformation, focusing on a more generic yet refined appearance. It featured standard roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels, with higher trims offering larger wheels and distinctive accents. The Forester Sport, for instance, showcased bronze trim accents and 19-inch wheels, while the Touring trim boasted a low-profile roof rack and chrome badging. The interior was enhanced with a more intentional design, featuring structural dash elements and various upholstery options, including the easy-to-clean StarTex material in the Sport trim. The cabin's overall look was more cohesive and thoughtfully designed.

In contrast, the 2025 BMW X3 presented a seductive and athletic appearance, characterized by its long hood, captivating dashboard-to-axle ratio, and tapering greenhouse. The test model's Arctic Race Blue paint, combined with gloss black M Sport details and Calm Beige upholstery, added to its allure. The interior, while not overly fancy, offered quality materials where expected, though some plastic elements revealed its price point. The X3's cabin was spacious, with a simple dashboard featuring the BMW Curved Display, and the seats provided comfort with power adjustment and heating. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, particularly for taller passengers.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with a Lineartonic CVT and Symmetrical AWD, offered a smooth driving experience. The Forester's X-Mode system, standard from the Premium trim, enhanced stability and traction on challenging terrains. While acceleration was not particularly brisk, the Forester excelled in off-road conditions, providing a stable and confident ride. Fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, with slight variations for Sport and Touring trims.

The 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite its 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 broad power curve and 48-volt mild-hybrid system contributed to its responsiveness. The M50 xDrive variant offered even more power with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. The X3's performance was complemented by a sport-tuned suspension and performance tires, though the ride quality could be harsh on imperfect roads. Fuel economy was rated at 29 mpg combined, though real-world figures varied.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, increasing cargo space to 29.6 cubic feet with rear seats in place and 74.4 cubic feet when folded. The interior offered a roomy second row, though cargo space was slightly less than some competitors. The Forester's dark headliner and power-adjustable seats added to its practicality and comfort, with higher trims offering additional features like seat ventilation and memory settings.

The 2025 BMW X3 provided a spacious interior with a simple dashboard design and a prominent BMW Curved Display. The front seats offered power adjustment, heating, and optional ventilation, while the rear seats were less comfortable for taller passengers. The cargo area measured 31.5 cubic feet, with a lightweight cargo cover and additional storage under the load floor. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo and passenger arrangements.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model offered two 7-inch touchscreens with wired smartphone projection. Higher trims included additional USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Touring trim added a navigation system and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, with Starlink connected services offering new capabilities.

The 2025 BMW X3's BMW Curved Display was powered by the new iDrive 9 software, offering a user-friendly experience with Quick Select menus. However, creating profiles and accessing BMW Digital Services proved challenging during testing. The system occasionally froze, and media preferences were sometimes forgotten. Despite these issues, wireless Apple CarPlay worked seamlessly. The navigation system, with optional augmented video, provided accurate directions and arrival estimates.

The 2025 Subaru Forester offered advanced safety features, including Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Subaru's EyeSight suite with enhancements for 2025. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the 2024 model received high marks, suggesting continued safety excellence.

The 2025 BMW X3's driver assistance features were more reliable than its infotainment system. The standard Active Driving Assistant suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional packages offered adaptive cruise control, Parking Assistant Plus, and Driving Assistant Professional with hands-free Traffic Jam Assistant. The X3 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some room for improvement in frontal-impact crash tests.