2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and boasted more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7 offered advanced technological features that outshone the Lexus LX 570 and had a commanding visual presence compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the choice of a luxury SUV often came down to personal preference, and the X7 was no exception.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester, though redesigned in 2019, retained a familiar look that appealed to many SUV shoppers. Its boxy, upright shape was practical and unpretentious, offering a clean design that stood out among compact crossovers. The Forester Sport model added a touch of flair with orange striping and black alloy wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, ensuring a rugged yet comfortable ride. Its interior was functional, with materials designed to withstand daily wear and tear, making it a reliable choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive AWD system. The X7 featured eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite these advancements, the X7’s fuel economy ratings were slightly lower than the previous year, with 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering a smooth and powerful driving experience, although its handling was sometimes hindered by its size and weight.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. While the engine provided adequate power for most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for quick highway merges or overtaking. The Forester’s suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll in corners. However, its standard AWD system, featuring X-Mode for different surfaces, provided a level of sophistication not commonly found in its segment. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Forester was capable of handling light off-road conditions, though it wasn’t designed for serious off-roading.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered a luxurious interior with features like heated and ventilated seats, premium leather upholstery, and a five-zone climate control system. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second-row captain's chairs provided ample space, though access could be challenging due to the long rear doors. The third-row seats were surprisingly accommodating for adults, and the power clamshell tailgate revealed a cargo space of 48.6 cubic feet with the third row down, expanding to 90.4 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided generous headroom and legroom, thanks to its tall roofline, which also enhanced visibility. It offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. While it lacked some features like a sliding second-row bench, the Forester included practical elements like a power liftgate on higher trims. The interior featured user-friendly controls, though the phone-storage cubby was small, and wireless charging was not available.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, and a natural voice-recognition system. While the iDrive system was comprehensive, it could be distracting to navigate while driving. The test vehicle also included a head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for key functions, though the screen was slow to start. Additional displays provided secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2021 BMW X7 came standard with a suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The package included advanced driving assistance systems that were generally effective, though some features, like lane-maintenance technology, occasionally struggled in certain conditions.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest “Top Safety Pick+” award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with the EyeSight suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system, ensuring drivers remained attentive. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.