BMW X5 vs. Subaru Forester
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW X5 and Subaru Forester contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW X5 and the Subaru Forester.
When we compare the BMW X5's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the BMW X5 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW X5's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester is a better car than the BMW X5.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW X5 loses 56.1 percent of its value and the Subaru Forester loses 37.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 18.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW X5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW X5 is 7.4 out of 10 while the Subaru Forester's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the BMW X5 being ranked 11 out of 27 Best Luxury Midsize SUVs and the Subaru Forester being ranked 3 out of 19 Best Small SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW X5 is 7.8 out of 10. For the Subaru Forester the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Forester a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW X5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X5’s base engine makes 375 horsepower, and the Subaru Forester base engine makes 180 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Subaru Forester has higher safety ratings than the BMW X5, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
73371 - 103172
Starting MSRP:
67600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
77833
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
51200 - 138300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
29995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
29401
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
24635 - 34995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
78144
Price Range:
69699 - 90148
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
73712
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
60234 - 92425
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
33932
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
31731 - 35755
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
BMW X5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
12.8
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
9.7 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.108
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
14.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.6 - 15.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.208
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW X5 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
6 out of / 27Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 27Ranking
8 out of / 27Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 27Ranking
11 out of / 27Ranking
13 out of / 68Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 27Ranking
13 out of / 27Ranking
13 out of / 25Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
14 out of / 27Ranking
14 out of / 26Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 27Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
31 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
44 out of / 68Ranking
49 out of / 64Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 56Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 18Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 56Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW X5 Trim Levels
M60i, sDrive40i, xDrive40i
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):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
375 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
398 foot-lbs @ 1850 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.076 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
39.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
33.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
72.3 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:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Cargo Space:
29.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
140.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4919 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
69.1 inches
Length:
194.2 inches
Wheelbase:
117.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3510 lbs
Width:
81.2 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
183.3 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/45R20
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic
Blue
Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
Manhattan Green Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
White
Crystal White Pearl
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Coffee / Cognac / Tartufo
Gray
Silverstone
White
Ivory White
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Gray
White
Not available
