2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's true SUV range. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, was unmistakably BMW, though this familiarity sometimes made it blend in with other BMW models. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and various trim options, including the sporty M Sport styling with body-color matched elements and high-gloss black accents. Wheel sizes ranged from 19 to 22 inches, depending on the trim. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with other BMW models, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though an abundance of black plastic could collect dust. The M Sport models had unique, aggressive styling elements, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim strips.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in the Wilderness trim, emphasized functionality and ruggedness. Priced from $25,195 to $35,295, the Forester offered a range of dealer-installed accessories and standard all-wheel drive. The Wilderness model, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a white exterior, dark gray water-repellant StarTex simulated leather interior, and a base price of $33,945. It included options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, bringing the total to $36,014. The Wilderness trim added a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, giving it a raccoon-like appearance. Inside, the Forester focused on function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a quality yet somewhat dated cabin. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be less than ideal.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a variety of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a 30-mile all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were somewhat inconsistent, with steering issues at low and high speeds. The cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Charging the X5 xDrive45e was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and an EPA-estimated 400-mile range. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, the X5 xDrive at 23 mpg, and the X5 xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25% and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg combined, with real-world testing averaging 25.9 mpg. The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode improved responsiveness. Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system offered various settings for different surfaces, and the Wilderness trim's longer springs and shocks improved ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, including off-road conditions, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders conveniently placed and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The center console's buttons and dials were hard to differentiate at night. Seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats felt hard after a few hours. The rear seats were comfortable for kids and two adults, with an optional third row available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality made loading cargo easy. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was negligible. Moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was challenging due to the narrow door openings.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, suitable for a three-person roof tent. Comfort levels were high in both the front and back seats, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was decent, with various bins and bottle holders. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof) with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area and new ceiling cargo hooks added practicality.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Subaru Forester's base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. The Premium trim added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's Harman Kardon audio system produced clear sound, and the navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would be beneficial. The voice recognition system was inconsistent. The PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry, ideal for outdoor activities.

The 2021 BMW X5 included standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rearview camera. The Driving Assistance Professional Package's adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality had issues with timely stops and lane-keeping, especially in sunny conditions. The 2021 X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite seven recalls.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system with improved field of vision and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The system performed well in central Oregon, though safety system warning lights illuminated during one engine restart. Standard and available safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim added DriverFocus facial recognition technology with gesture control. The 2022 Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.