8 Smart Car Buys Without Deal Breaking Flaws - 3 Subaru SUVs Score Highest

What are the best compact and midsize SUVs? Not all SUVs leave you stress-free, and some even drive you crazy. When it comes to a quiet cabin, driver visibility, easy-to-use controls, and rear-seat comfort, the 2021 Subaru Forester, 2021 Subaru Outback, and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek score highest in Consumer Reports’ (by subscription) latest testing.

According to CR, three Subaru all-wheel-drive models are easy to live with and won’t drive you crazy. Here are the best and worst rated vehicles and four key areas for shoppers to consider while shopping for a compact or midsize SUV.

photo credit: Albany Subaru

Best Visibility

The SUVs with the best visibility are the 2021 Subaru Forester (compact SUV) which scores the highest, along with the 2021 Subaru Outback (midsize SUV). CR says the SUVs with the worst visibility are the Jaguar I-Pace and Nissan Pathfinder.

Best Usability and Controls

The SUVs with the best usability and controls are the Hyundai Kona (compact SUV), Kia Telluride (Midsize SUV), Subaru Forester (compact SUV), Subaru Crosstrek (compact SUV), and Kia Sportage. CR says the Volvo XC40, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Mercedes-Benz GLB, and Mercedes-Benz GLC are the worst models.

Best Rear-Seat Comfort

The highest-rated Compact SUVs are the Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Forester, Honda HR-V, and Honda CR-V for rear-seat comfort. CR says the Mazda CX-3, Lexus UX, Mercedes-Benz GLB have the worst ratings.

The best Midsize SUVs for rear-seat comfort are the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot, and Ford Edge. CR says the worst model is the Infiniti QX60.

Best Cabin Quietness

The Compact SUVs with the quietest cabins are the Mazda CX-5, Subaru Crosstrek, Chevrolet Equinox, and Honda CR-V. CR says the worst models are the Fiat 500X, Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, and Kia Seltos.

The best Midsize SUVs for cabin quietness are the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Ford Edge. The one model to avoid is the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2021 Subaru Forester and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Compact SUVs, and 2021 Subaru Outback Midsize SUV score highest in Consumer Reports’ latest quietness evaluations, driver visibility, easy-to-use controls, and rear-seat comfort. CR says they are SUVs that will keep owners stress-free, and they won’t drive you crazy.

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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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