2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 BMW X7

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including the base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Starting at an MSRP of $25,195, the Forester offered a range of dealer-installed accessories and came standard with all-wheel drive. The Wilderness trim, tested in the Cascade Mountains, featured a rugged design with a suspension lift, protective cladding, and a matte-black hood decal. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, copper-colored accents, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system. Despite its somewhat dated appearance, the Forester was praised for its quality construction and intuitive controls.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW X7 underwent a mid-cycle makeover, adopting a bolder design with LED accent lights and a controversial oversized kidney grille. The interior received a refresh with a curved glass housing for the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The X7 offered two design themes: the chrome-trimmed Design Pure Excellence and the dark-finished M Sport. Interior materials were of premium quality, with options for leather upholstery and Sensafin synthetic substitutes. Despite some harsh reflections from glossy trims, the X7's interior was well-built, offering a modern and elegant appearance.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. The Forester Wilderness doubled its towing capacity to 3,000 pounds and achieved an average fuel economy of 25.9 mpg. While the engine was adequate at sea level, it felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode provided a lively response, but a turbocharger was still desired. The Forester excelled off-road, with a re-tuned suspension, improved ground clearance, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires.

The 2023 BMW X7 lineup started with the xDrive40i model, featuring a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The X7 M60i model upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 offered potent acceleration and well-managed body roll. The ride was slightly firmer than some luxury SUVs, but it provided a good blend of performance and comfort.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit, water-resistant StarTex upholstery, and standard all-weather floor mats. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a three-person roof tent, and the interior offered high comfort levels with excellent visibility. Storage space was decent, with various bins and bottle holders, and the cargo area provided 28.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 BMW X7 offered ample space, with a power-operated middle row for easy third-row access. The third row accommodated average-sized adults, though thigh support was limited. Cargo space measured 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 90.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The split tailgate and suspension-lowering feature facilitated loading, while front-seat passengers enjoyed adequate storage for personal items.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen with navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera and a PIN Code Access feature for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 BMW X7 came with the latest iDrive infotainment system, which eliminated many physical buttons in favor of screen controls. While basic functions were easy to operate, more complex settings required navigating through menus. Voice commands offered some assistance, but the system's complexity was a drawback. More physical buttons and intuitive menus were desired.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system with improved camera-based technology and Automatic Emergency Steering. It included features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 BMW X7's safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive headlights. The M60i trim added a surround-view camera system, with options for adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The highway driving assist feature reduced driver fatigue on long trips, and all safety features performed reliably during testing.