6 Quietest Compact SUVs - Subaru Crosstrek Scores Best In Class

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Which small SUVs have the quietest cabins? Check out the six compact SUVs that are easy on your ears. The refreshed 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is one of the top models.

Which automaker makes the quietest compact SUVs? Consumers who buy a small SUV 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) identifies the six quietest mainstream compact SUVs under $40,000. The newly refreshed 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is among the best in class.

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 assess the new small SUVs with the most serene cabin. The models listed below are ranked in order of the results in CR's interior noise tests. All six models also scored well in road tests, have good reliability, have active safety features, and scored the best in crash tests.

The six quietest compact SUVs

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is among the quietest compact SUVs. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime scored the second-best for interior noise, and the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox scored third best. The 2021 Honda CR-V is number four, the all-wheel-drive 2021 Subaru Crosstrek comes in at number five, and the 2021 Hyundai Tucson scored number six.

Consumer Reports says, "The Crosstrek delivers good fuel economy with impressive ride comfort and competent, enjoyable handling. It has low levels of road and wind noise, which contribute to a solid and substantial feel. The only time the Crosstrek gets loud is under hard acceleration when the engine becomes gruff."

Subaru retailers and customers asked for more power in the Crosstrek; Subaru Corporation listened and gave it more pep with a new 2.5-liter engine with an additional 30 horsepower, and it's more fuel-efficient. Even with the more powerful engine option, CR still rates it one of the quietest compact SUVs.

What is the price of the 2021 Crosstrek?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek comes in five trim levels. The base trim is priced from $22,245, Premium ($23,295), all-new Sport ($26,495), and Limited with the 2.5-liter engine ($27,995). Destination and delivery add $1,050. Consumer Reports says the market average sales price is $26,964 as Subaru offers incentives to lower costs.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has one of the quietest cabins among all compact SUVs. Even with the more powerful 2.5-liter engine option, CR rates it one of the easiest on your ears and ranks it the number one of thirteen compact SUVs overall in all categories.

You Might Also Like: What's Next For The Hot Subaru Crosstrek? 2 New Next-Generation Models Are Coming Soon

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

Submitted by S (not verified) on March 18, 2021 - 11:51PM

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I love my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. Except for the noise. The engine is silent. But bleed thru from outside noise into the cabin loud AF-might as well have the windows open and forget having a conversation with someone in the backseat or hearing GPS directions. Glad it's addressed

I like my Crosstrek, but the NOISE level is really high and I'm thinking of selling after 4000 miles!
Don't understand how C.R. can say it has less noise!