Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2026 BMW X2

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X2 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X2 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Forester has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The X2 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Forester achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The BMW X2 has not been tested.

Both the Forester and the X2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Forester (Vehicles built after April 2025) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The X2 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Forester 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X2 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 83 percent more Subaru dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Forester’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Subaru Forester Hybrid’s reliability 22 points higher than the X2 and the Subaru Forester is rated 57 points higher than the X2.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 8th.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The X2 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the X2:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Forester uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X2 M35i xDrive requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Forester has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X2 (16.6 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Forester has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X2 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Forester stops shorter than the X2:

For better maneuverability, the Forester Premium/Limited Hybrid’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the X2’s (35.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The Forester’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the X2’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X2 (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Forester Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the X2 (9.2 vs. 8.1 inches).

The Subaru Forester may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the BMW X2.

The front grille of the Forester uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The X2 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Forester has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear headroom and 2.7 inches more rear legroom than the X2.

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X2 with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X2 with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 51.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Forester Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X2 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Forester has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The X2 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Forester uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X2 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the X2. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 20% lower rating, BMW is ranked 10th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Forester has a standard rear wiper. The X2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The X2’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Forester’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Forester has standard extendable sun visors. The X2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Forester to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X2 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Forester and the X2 offer available heated front seats. The Forester Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X2.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Forester Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Subaru Forester retains 62.8% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.83% resale value of the 2025 BMW X2 after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner up to $11509.82286 in depreciation.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Forester outsold the BMW X2 by over 45 to one during 2024.