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BMW X3 vs Subaru Forester XT vs Infiniti FX 35 vs Toyota RAV4

1193 messages,  Last post on Apr 18, 2008 at 2:49 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? BMW X3, Subaru Forester, Infiniti FX35, Toyota RAV4, SUV

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#1 of 1193 2004 BMW X3 vs 2004 Subaru Forester by callmedrfill Dec 31, 2003 (6:19 am)
They look the same (almost exactly the same), and are about the same size.     Is BMW steppin' into someone else's yard here?     With the Turbo engine, the Forester moves 0-60 in the mid 5's! And with a cushier ride (according to C&D) and lower price, is the Forester a better buy?     Let's find out.     DrFill Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 18, 2008 2:49 pm)
#2 of 1193 by ballistic Jan 01, 2004 (10:49 pm)
And the XT has a lot more reverse snob appeal.
#3 of 1193 X3 vs. XT by zman Jan 18, 2004 (8:24 am)
8-10 grand is a lot of money, but hey, I'm game to compare, if for nothing else just to see what the 6-speed can do (and to get a moonroof and leather for crying out loud).   By the way, Jack, is a 6-speed what you think Subaru needs to put into the XT?   -Zman
#4 of 1193 BMW X3 vs FX35 vx Subaru XT by saugatak Jan 22, 2004 (9:33 pm)
With the BMW X3 about to hit the roads, seems like the right time to compare the two premium, "handling and performance" small SUVs with the XT thrown in. While the XT is not a "premium" vehicle, it provides a great performance bang for the buck, and might end up being the surprising dark horse choice for the value-minded consumer.
#5 of 1193 just a small dissent by jjman Jan 22, 2004 (9:47 pm)
I guess I am still iffy about the XT in this comparison because it seems to be more of a premium small SUV so its a little above its competition like the CRV or the rav4 but wayyy below the x3 and fx. Besides who cross shops bmw's and subarus? If I was looking for a fast suv sure I could look at the XT but more likely I would consider its cousin the WRX because the XT looks more like a wagon anyways. I guess I should be grateful you didn't include the mdx or rx because i consider those 2 more competitors to the x5.
#6 of 1193 by steve_ HOST Jan 22, 2004 (9:57 pm)
The data people compare the X3 to the Infiniti FX35, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Land Rover Freelander. (link)   But people in the discussions compare all sorts of stuff; some are tire kicking vans and SUVs (or coupes!) at the same time.   We're open to suggestions; this is the only comparison topic featuring the X3....   Steve, Host
#7 of 1193 jjman by saugatak Jan 22, 2004 (10:03 pm)
XT is kind of tough for comparos b/c speed and performance wise it destroys the RAV4, CR-V and at least speedwise the X3. Snob appealwise, obviously it's no BMW, but that is a plus for some people, so I think it's a fair comparo.   As for the XT looking more like a wagon, pardon me? Don't you think the X3 and the FX35 look more like raised elongated wagons than traditional SUVs?   Anyway, to get back on topic, the FX blows the X3 away in terms of power and also has IMO more comfortable and higher quality leather seats.   When I saw Infiniti's new cars, I thought they're getting close to BMW in their handling but they need to improve their interiors. Now that I've seen the interiors in the e60 5-series and the X3, I don't think Infiniti has to catch up anymore, I think BMW has stepped down to meet them.
#8 of 1193 hp doesn't actually equal speed by jjman Jan 22, 2004 (10:40 pm)
It seems like every Infiniti (and Nissans) have engines with high horsepower quoted and granted the fx35 specs do look overpowering at 280hp and 270lb/ft but for some reason all that power doesn't seem to go directly to the wheels.   So far perfomance numberwise I have seen at best 7.6 0-60 numbers from the publications for the fx35. For the x3 Car and driver got 7.4 which looks decent until you consider the 3.0 engine only has 225 hp and 212 lb/ft in which case that is pretty good. Ok so they did have a manual version but then add .5 secs and you are still looking at good acceleration for a 2 ton vehicle that is behind 55hp and 58 lb/ft to the fx35 I guess my point is the fx35 does not blow away the x3 for power. The fx35 is actually slow for its power numbers.
#9 of 1193 jjman by zman Jan 23, 2004 (3:23 am)
"Besides who cross shops bmw's and subarus?"   I do. I am.   In the areas that matter to me, function and performance, the XT and the X3 are worthy comparisons, each with apparent strengths and weakness (on paper). I'm a manual transmission guy, so the vast majority of the AWD SUVs, mini or otherwise, are out of the running, especially when I am seeking a vehicle with any level of high performance capability.   FYI: Forester XT MT is in the mid 5 second range for 0-60.   Zman
#10 of 1193 My FX35 v. X3 3.0 Dilemma by vsroman Jan 23, 2004 (6:22 am)
I want to buy but I can't decide! These are the items I have looked at with respect to the two vehicles.   Fuel Eff - X3 3.0 auto 16/23 v. FX35 16/22 (a draw)   Cargo Room - X3 30/71 v. FX35 27.4/65 (edge X3)   HP - X3 225 v. FX35 280 (edge FX)   0-60 - X3 3.0 7.9 sec v. FX35 7.1 secs (edge FX)   Sunroof - X3 pan roof v. FX35 norm sunrf (edge X3)   Road Handling Index - X3 .88 v. FX35 .81 (edge X3)   Looks - X3 nice, likely to age well, FX - sleek, menacing head-turner, but maybe too trendy? (draw - I'd be happy driving both)   Price - X3 3.0 43K v. FX35 37K Price is for sim eq, mostly loaded except nav and dvd. Also, assumption is X3 is selling for MSRP per my dealer, FX price is based on ads in local paper and the FX forum. Some on this forum have indicated up to 1500 off msrp for x3 so that may close the gap from 6k to 4.5k. (edge FX)   Service - X3 free 3+ yrs - FX approx $750 (edge X3)   Warranty - x3 4yrs, 50K v. FX 4yrs, 60K miles (Edge FX - this for me equates to a full 4 years as I drive 15K per year)   Safety - both sb good/excellent (draw)   My questions to the forum:   Am I missing any other important criteria?   Should I rule out the X3 2.5? This would close the price gap but one of my favorite things on the road is the ability to quickly leave a situation, the 65 - 85 acceleration factor. X3 2.5 states 0-60 in 9.3 :<   Are there any former BMW drivers now driving the FX35? I'd love to hear your thoughts.   I'm currently driving a 99 528i w/sport pkg.   Next steps - On vacation next week in Fl. and I have reserved an FX for 3 days. Think I'll drive it over to a BMW dealer and do a side-by-side comparo! Also, would love to test the X3 in a warm climate with the pan sunrf wide open.   Thanks for your posts!

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