BMW X3 vs. Subaru Forester
When comparing the BMW X3's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the BMW X3 has the advantage in the areas of overall quality score and base engine power. The Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability and resale value. Based on this comparison of the BMW X3's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester is a better car than the BMW X3.
BMW X3 vs. Subaru Forester Pricing
A used 2024 BMW X3 ranges from $49,997 to $67,481 while a used 2024 Subaru Forester is priced between $32,324 to $39,982. For a new model, the BMW X3's price is between $51,024 and $68,943, with the Subaru Forester priced between $30,617 and $40,108.
BMW X3 vs. Subaru Forester Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW X3 loses 50.5 percent of its value and the Subaru Forester loses 38.4 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 12.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW X3.
BMW X3 vs. Subaru Forester Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW X3 is 8.6 out of 10 while the Subaru Forester's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the BMW X3 being ranked 2 out of 29 Best Luxury Small SUVs and the Subaru Forester being ranked 3 out of 66 Best Crossover SUVs.
BMW X3 vs. Subaru Forester Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW X3 is 8.3 out of 10. For the Subaru Forester the reliability rating is 8.6 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Forester a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW X3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the BMW X3’s base engine makes 248 horsepower, and the Subaru Forester base engine makes 182 horsepower.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the BMW X3 and the Subaru Forester have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
51024 - 68943
Used Asking Price:
49997 - 67481
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.50502
Pricing
New Asking Price:
30617 - 40108
Used Asking Price:
32324 - 39982
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.383753
BMW X3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.620856 / 10
Reliability:
8.26257 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.563112 / 10
Reliability:
8.589335 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
BMW X3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
3 out of / 61Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 61Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 61Ranking
14 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 61Ranking
15 out of / 61Ranking
19 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 61Ranking
21 out of / 54Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 61Ranking
22 out of / 59Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 61Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 66Ranking
3 out of / 66Ranking
3 out of / 66Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 26Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 56Ranking
4 out of / 56Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 66Ranking
6 out of / 56Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 56Ranking
12 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 56Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 56Ranking
17 out of / 58Ranking
17 out of / 49Ranking
24 out of / 66Ranking
24 out of / 56Ranking
32 out of / 66Ranking
38 out of / 56Ranking
46 out of / 66Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW X3 Trim Levels
M40i, sDrive30i, xDrive30i
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring, Wilderness
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
176 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
396 / 499 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
28.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Cargo Space:
28.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
140.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4079 lbs
Width:
84.2 inches
Height:
66 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3454 lbs
Width:
80.9 inches
Height:
67.5 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
225/60R17