Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Subaru ForesterBMW X3
Mandai score
7/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 4,200,000
KSh 4,900,000
Years
2018-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
X3 xDrive20d M Sport / xDrive30i M Sport / xDrive30e PHEV
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Subaru Forester 2.5L / 1.8T / 2.0L e-Boxer
Fuel consumption
17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank
16.2 km/L6.2 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,335 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 13,351 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,406 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,059 for 1,000 km · diesel
Dimensions
Length
4,625 mm
4,708 mm
Width
1,815 mm
1,891 mm
Height
1,730 mm
1,676 mm
Wheelbase
2,670 mm
2,864 mm
Ground clearance
220 mm
204 mm
Boot space
520 L (1,775 L folded)
550 L (1,600 L folded; 450 L on xDrive30e PHEV)
Kerb weight
1,570 kg
1,750 kg (xDrive20d) / 1,990 kg (xDrive30e PHEV)
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol / 3.0L B58 Turbo Inline-6
Power
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
190 hp (20d) / 252 hp (30i) / 292 hp combined (30e PHEV) / 382 hp (M40i)
Torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
400 Nm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i) / 420 Nm (30e PHEV) / 500 Nm (M40i)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Intelligent xDrive AWD
0–100 km/h
8.2 sec
8.0 sec (20d) / 6.3 sec (30i) / 6.1 sec (30e PHEV) / 4.5 sec (M40i)
Top speed
204 km/h
213 km/h – 250 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i) / 41.0 km/L equiv. (xDrive30e) / 10.8 km/L (M40i)
City
11.8 km/L (2.5L) / 12.5 km/L (1.8T) / 15.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i) / 45 km EV range (xDrive30e) / 8.5 km/L (M40i)
Highway
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i) / 16.5 km/L hybrid mode (xDrive30e) / 12.8 km/L (M40i)
Tank size
63 L
68 L (50 L xDrive30e PHEV)
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
138 g/km (20d) / 49 g/km (30e PHEV)
At a glance
Model
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
BMW X3 (G01 Series)
Production years
2018–2023
2017–2023
Body type
SUV / Crossovers
5-Door Premium Compact Crossover
Seating capacity
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Clean Diesel, Petrol, Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
Engine sizes
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
1,995 cc (2.0D) / 1,998 cc (2.0T / 2.0T PHEV) / 2,998 cc (3.0T M40i)
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
8-Speed Steptronic Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Intelligent xDrive AWD
Ground clearance
220 mm
204 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
UK / Japan / South Africa (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Class-leading 220 mm ground clearance: Conquers deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry tracks.
- Symmetrical AWD with Dual X-Mode: Exceptional mud, snow, and deep gravel traction.
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: All 1.8T, 2.0L, and 2.5L engines qualify for 25% excise tax rate.
- Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L diesel (20d), 2.0L petrol (30i), and 2.0L PHEV (30e) all qualify for KRA's 25% excise tax rate.
- 204 mm ground clearance: Confidently negotiates estate speed bumps, potholes, and unpaved upcountry roads.
- Practical 550 L boot space: Generous cargo capacity expanding to 1,600 L with 40:20:40 split rear seats.
- 16.2 km/L xDrive20d fuel efficiency: Ideal for long-distance highway travel (e.g. Nairobi to Mombasa or Kisumu).
What’s not so good
- Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
- EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.
- Firm ride on 20-inch M Sport alloys over rough corrugated gravel tracks.
- Reduced boot floor height on xDrive30e PHEV (450 L) due to rear high-voltage battery placement.