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BMW X3 vs Subaru Forester XT vs Infiniti FX 35 vs Toyota RAV4
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I won't call it quite ugly, but not exactly a beautiful design. Looks like the Opel Signum 5 door, the euro Chevy Malibu Maxx.
It's got big eyes and a small hatch, plus the concave panels on the sides that are Bangle's trade mark.
If you've seen the new Audi A3, the BMW isn't even close. It's better looking than the Mercedes A-class, though.
-juice
PS Edit: you may have to copy/paste that link
The x dive on the 3x can send 100% of power to the front and send power to each wheel individually.
The X5 could climb it, but what surprised me was that the 3 series could, also.
-juice
No the X3 exceeds it on fit and finish and has a lot more panache. It only loses on stoplight racing. I do agree all cars suffer from the 5mph over $1000 damage syndrome. Including the Subaru unless they have been built for 5mph crashes. There is a link floating around on one of the Edmunds forums about 5mph crashes. Crazy stuff like $3K for a 5mph crash. I think that honor went to the TSX.
-Frank P.
-Frank P.
Consumers' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2004
Steve, Host
By who and what is low speed?
"The bmw x3 captured 1st and second place in the 2004 Alcan winter rally beating all subarus including the famous forester."
http://cobbtuning.com/wrx/accessport.html
Zman
Forester is #1 in class. And before you say that compromises safety, nope, Best Pick in IIHS front offest plus 5 stars in NHTSA both driver and passenger.
So no compromises, I'll call them the best SUV bumpers, period.
x3 captured 1st and second place
Yes, competing in a higher class with navigation equipment that the Forester did not have. Scary thing is that the Forester XT actually challenged the Bimmers.
Now, what would be real fun would be to compare team budgets...
Just the facts not opinion
Fact is C&D 5Best Compact SUV is the Forester, so that means they conclude that the Forester is better overall than the BMW X3. In fact they compared them directly and BMW lost.
Why did you leave that out? LOL
-juice
-juice
He called the interior "rather spartan" and compared the seats to a wooden church pew.
Some other highlights:
air-conditioner seemed to fight with itself
rear doors are light, and shut with a tinny sound
He liked the engine and the AWD system, but complained loudly about the as-tested price.
Of course you saw X5 reviews like this early on and that model has sold well.
-juice
(Don't have the paper here but he might have said "sport sedan" instead of "sports car".)
The solutions to the vehicle's shortcomings are simple: stick to mirror-smooth roads, bring along a pillow to sit on and put a piece of black tape over the air bag warning light.
So if it has more lateral Gs than the Forester, you certainly have a significant trade off for that.
-juice
He concludes by saying: "INSIDE TRACK: A sports car trapped in a sport ute body."
If you look at most of the reviews of the X3, even the bad ones, they ALL agree that the X3 has a superb engine, xdrive is terrific, and it handles better than most other SUVs. This review again confirms this. Most reviews, including this one, also mention the stiff ride and less-than-optimal cupholders due to the fact they are reviewing an SUV and therefore comparing it to other SUV's. Lets also keep in mind that many reviewers, inluding this one, were driving the stiffer sports package. My take on all this: If you want a cushy ride and lots of big cupholders, the X3 is not for you! If, on the other hand, you prefer more precise and sportier handling, and can make due with the less-than-optimal cup holders, the X3 will not let you down.
Zman
And now for the rest of the story (which you won't find in the X3 topic):
The Subaru Forester Turbo of Paul Eklund, Kala Rounds and Gary Reid came in third overall and first in Class III (no rally computer), and dominated the rally ice races. The Forester gained on the front-running BMW teams on the final day but ended up 20 points (or two ice races) short. Still, it was the only time in recent memory when Class II (computer) competitors were hounded to the finish line by a Class III car.
Don't look now BMW but Subaru is closing fast!
-Frank P.
Handling was good only on smooth surfaces. Losing its composure like that over a pothole affects my overall assessment of handling, it has to be able to "handle" a pothole, too.
What if you hit a bump in the middle of a corner? Do you send a street sweeper in front of every path you take?
Sports package - true, but aren't most of them equipped that way? If I try one I'll probably try one without that option, if they even have one on the lot.
Meanwhile, Forester once again took top honors in the overall ratings in CR's Auto Issue, not to mention #1 in their Safety Assessment too. Plus it made the list for "Most Satisfying":
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040308/ap- _on_bi_ge/consumer_reports_glance_1
-juice
I'm not sure the 2nd half is ranked in order, but it might be.
-juice
That would make the Forested the 9th highest rated of the nine CR "most satisfying" car-based SUVs. (Or for the Subie-haters out there: the last on the list of "Most Satisfying Car-Based SUVs")
Worthy of note, all of the other vehicles on the list, with the exception of the Honda Element (#2 on the list), are much more expensive, "upscale" models. I would imagine that a fair percentage of owners of "economy" models expect to "move up" to a more expensive model with their next purchase.
james
-juice
Couple the XT's performance with its much better than expected interior, and it looks like a steal to me.
The FX is just, well, different. Real nice, but not for me.
I was surprised at how nice the XT interior was. I had a '97 Outback until 2002, and it was really cheap interior wise. Nice to see Subaru has made improvements in this area.
The X3 probably does have a more spartan interior of the three, but the beauty of the X3 is really hidden under the hood. It's a fabulous piece of engineering that can only be appreciated if it's taken out on the road. I spent some time on the road in both an NT and X3 (as well as other small SUV's) and for me nothing could really come close to the X3's precise handling. No question, the XT is fast and certainly represents good value, but in comparing these vehicles I guess it comes down to what your priorities are.
-Frank P.
-Frank P.
Not that the XT's engine is rough, it's actually smoothed out nicely by the turbo. The EJ257 engine also made Ward's 10Best, along with the M3's engine (but not the 3.0l I6).
Autoweek had a short tid bit about the X3, they loved the engine but hated the stiff ride (Sport Package). I wonder if all the press cars have the Sport Package because it seems like everyone complains about the ride.
Funny thing is it almost seems like they should switch engines, put the 2.5T boxer 4 with the BMW's stiff suspension for an edgier SUV, and put the 3.0l I6 in the Forester's compliant, long travel suspension for more luxury.
-juice
and it's true.
Bob
-Frank P.
Another word someone else on this board used was frumpy. I posted earlier that Subaru would instantly move up a notch if they just worked on the aesthetics, which I understand is in the works. I own a '99 Forester and I actually like the older model better than the newer one. The original was more Plain Jane and had that practical, utilitarian, no-nonsense look that I find kind of appealing. Trying to just spiff it up does not really work. To move away from that look successfully will require a total overhaul in the looks department, in my opinion.
"It proves we are still an emotional brand with a strong bond between us and our customers."
I never thought of it that way. I guess that could also apply to the almost cult-like following enjoyed by Subaru.
Bob
X3 is a distant 2nd place. It's not exactly pretty, either, though I won't go as far as calling it ugly. It's still too "Bangle". D-pillar blocks your view.
FX is a way, way distant 3rd in terms of visibility. Get the rear view camera because that's the only way I'd be brave enough to do something daring - like back it up! LOL
So in this class visibility and style are inversely proportional.
Take your pick.
-juice
Comes out first for me. Like the style, ride and interior and didn't notice any D pillar blocking.
Just kidding. Get in a Forester and you'll see what you've been missing. I mean that literally. The frameless doors allow for thin pillars and the greenhouse overall allows for excellent visibility, best in class easily.
-juice
james