5 Best Sedans Under $25,000 - 3 Ways Subaru Legacy Outscores Toyota Camry

Which automaker makes the quietest cars? Consumers who buy a sedan are looking for a comfortable, quiet cabin, and you don't have to buy a luxury car to get it. A new study from Consumer Reports (by subscription) reveals the five quietest mainstream sedans, and you can get one under $25,000. The 2021 Subaru Legacy scored better than the Toyota Camry.

Because it's hard for car shoppers to determine how quiet a car is in a short test drive, Consumer Reports tests all models to determine the best midsize sedans with the quietest cabin. The mainstream models listed below are ranked in order of the results in CR's interior noise tests. All five models also scored well in road tests, have good reliability, have key active safety features, and scored the best in crash tests.

photo credit: Consumer Reports

The five quietest mainstream midsize sedans

The 2021 Honda Accord scored best with its sleek outside styling. The 2021 Nissan Altima scored the second-best for interior noise. The 2021 Subaru Legacy scored third-best and ranked high in CR's road tests. The 2021 Mazda 6 is number four, and the 2021 top-selling 2021 Toyota Camry comes in at number five.

Why is the Subaru Legacy rated high? Even with standard all-wheel-drive, the Legacy's suspension "does an effective job of smoothing out the ride, contributing to that quietness," according to CR's report.

Consumer Reports says they like the roomy interior, good visibility, standard forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

CR says, "The cabin has cushy armrests and a well-designed center console with a padded cutout for the driver's right knee. The wide trunk opening makes loading and unloading quite easy; there are few better sedans in that respect. The closely related Outback wraps the Legacy's virtues in a more versatile, outdoorsy package that's equally desirable."

Two features set the Legacy apart from the Accord, Altima, Mazda 6, and Camry. The 2021 Subaru Legacy is the only midsize sedan that comes standard with all-wheel-drive. Its all-weather capability is a difference-maker in cold-weather regions and a reason it's popular.

The second stand-apart feature is its excellent outward visibility. Subaru Legacy provides the best visibility of any midsize sedan in America according to CR's tests. The Legacy sedan competes with the Accord, Altima, Mazda 6, and Camry's sleeker styling and Legacy wins in driver visibility.

What is the price of the 2021 Subaru Legacy?

The 2021 Legacy comes in six trim levels. The midsize sedan starts at $22,895 for the base trim, Premium ($25,145), Sport ($27,095), Limited ($29,895), Limited XT ($34,445), and Touring XT ($36,145). Destination adds $1,050.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy outscores the Toyota Camry with a quiet cabin, standard all-wheel-drive, and it's best for tall drivers. Legacy wins the best midsize sedan for having the most room for taller drivers over 6-feet tall. You can read the full report below.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru