7.9
2025 Subaru Forester review
Subaru has dusted off the STI badge for a new special-edition Forester, but it's not everything it's cracked up to be.
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Max Davies
2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 BMW X3 Comparison
Subaru Forester
BMW X3
Deal Available!
2023 Subaru
Forester
vs
2024 BMW
X3
Select Variants...
How they stack...
CarExpert Score
CarExpert has rated other vehicles in the suv medium category, between scores of 7.5 and 8.8.
8.8
7.9
8.5
7.5
Based on the Subaru Forester 2.5i-S (AWD) STI SPORT
Based on the BMW X3 M50 xDRIVE
Best suitable for...
Driving the family
Off-roading
LuxuryFuel Efficiency
48L - 63L
322 to 466 km
50L - 68L
55 to 721 km
ANCAP Safety Rating
Warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
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CarExpert's Take
Max Davies
Marketplace Journalist
Max Davies drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Quality, premium-leaning interior
- Sportier handling
- STI appears again...
Misses
- ...like this?
- Hardly a special edition
- Dreary CVT
Jack Quick
Deputy Marketplace Editor
Jack Quick drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Mild-hybrid engines are silky smooth
- M50 xDrive is an absolute weapon
- Flashy interior tech
Misses
- Some hard finishes grate for the price tag
- Fiddly air vent setup
- No diesel options available for now
Standard Features
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | ||
| Wireless phone charger | ||
| Powered tailgate | ||
| Rear air vents | ||
| Adaptive cruise control | ||
| Climate control | ||
| Reversing sensors | ||
| Reversing camera | ||
| Autonomous emergency braking | ||
Colours Available
The 2023 Subaru Forester is available in the following exterior paint colours, depending on variant.
- Crystal White Pearl
- Ice Silver Metallic
- Brilliant Bronze Metallic
- Crimson Red Pearl
- Autumn Green Metallic
- Horizon Blue Pearl
- Cascade Green Silica
- Magnetite Grey Metallic
- Crystal Black Silica
- Sapphire Blue Pearl (NEW)
The 2023 BMW X3 is available in the following exterior paint colours, depending on the variant.
- Alpine White
- M Carbon Black
- Black Sapphire
- Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect
- Mineral White (not available on M40i)
- Phytonic Blue
- M Brooklyn Grey
- M Sao Paulo Yellow (M Competition only)
- M Marina Bay Blue (M Competition only)
- M Toronto Red (M Competition only)
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Specs
| Type | ||
| DIRECT FUEL INJ | TURBO CDI, TURBO DIRECT F/INJ, TURBO MPFI | |
| Size (cc) | ||
| 1995 - 2498 | 1995 - 2998 | |
| Size (L) | ||
| 2.5L, 2.0L | 2.0L, 3.0L | |
| Cylinders | ||
| FLAT 4 | DIESEL TURBO 4, TURBO 6, DIESEL TURBO 6, TURBO 4 | |
| Camshaft | ||
| DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | VARIABLE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM | |
| Valves/Ports per Cylinder | ||
| 16 | 16 - 24 | |
| Power | ||
| 110kW - 136kW | 135kW - 375kW | |
| Power RPM | ||
| 5800 - 6000 | 4000 - 5950 | |
| Torque | ||
| 196Nm - 239Nm | 300Nm - 650Nm | |
| Torque RPM | ||
| 4000 - 4400 | 1350 - 2750 | |
| Bore Stroke | ||
| - | - | |
| Compression Ratio | ||
| 12.1 - 12.5 | 9.3 - 16.5 | |
