The 9 Quietest Compact SUVs And Why CR Says Subaru Forester Still Has This One Flaw

Does the 2023 Subaru Forester have a quiet cabin? Consumer Reports ranks the quietest compact SUVs, and Forester is not on the list. Check out small SUVs that are easy on your ears and the one flaw that keeps Forester off the list.

How quiet is the 2023 Subaru Forester inside? According to new scoring from Consumer Reports (by subscription), nine compact SUVs are the easiest on your ears, and Subaru Forester is not among them. However, CR says the Forester has one flaw that keeps it off the list.

Consumers who buy a compact SUV are looking for a comfortable, quiet cabin, and you don't have to buy a luxury car. So which automaker makes the quietest compact SUVs? An updated study from CR identifies the nine quietest mainstream (non-luxury) compact SUVs.

photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

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 compact SUVs with the most serene cabin.

CR says, "We evaluate interior noise as part of more than 50 objective and subjective tests. We listen to the wind, road, engine, and tire noises that often penetrate the interior."

Here are the nine quietest compact SUVs, according to Consumer Reports.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is ranked as the quietest compact SUV. The Mazda CX-5, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4 Prime, Kia Sportage Hybrid, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V follow it.

photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

What does Consumer Reports say about the 2023 Forester?

The 2023 Subaru Forester ranks the best in class in the small SUV category in CR's scoring and, impressively, for the tenth consecutive year. As a result, Forester is Consumer Reports' 10 Best Cars Of The Year winner for 2023.

CR says, "This is Forester's 10th consecutive appearance as a Top Pick, underscoring how well this small SUV has honed its winning formula over time. Key to its appeal is the basic design, crafted to provide solid crash protection, a spacious cabin, a generous cargo area, and terrific outward visibility. The shape provides excellent access, with tall, wide-opening doors and hip-height seats. The controls are simple to use and easy to reach. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder and CVT yield 28 mpg overall, among the best in its class. Handling is responsive, and the ride is supple. In addition, Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features benefits from a wider field of view and updated software for 2023."

Even though Forester is a top 10 pick for compact SUV shoppers, CR says the Forester still has two flaws.

The Forester is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. A CVT automatic is the only transmission offered. So is there a downside to the Forester? CR says, "Acceleration isn't exhilarating, and the engine's noise isn't the most pleasant."

So Forester's 2.5-liter engine must be noisy inside the cabin if we read the issue correctly. Nevertheless, it's keeping Forester off the Consumer Reports' quietest compact SUVs list.

What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Forester?

All 2023 Forester trim levels increased by $550. The 2023 Forester comes in six trim levels; The Base Forester starts at $27,620, Premium ($30,620), Sport ($32,190), Limited ($34,300), Wilderness ($35,245), and Touring ($37,720). Pricing includes dealer fees ($1,225).

What do Forester owners say?

The Forester has the most significant percentage of owners who say they would definitely purchase that same vehicle again (79%). That compares with 72% of Honda CR-V owners, Hyundai Tucson (68%), Mazda CX-5 (64%), Toyota RAV4 (60%), Kia Sportage (58%), and Ford Escape (57%).

CR's owner-satisfaction Ratings are determined by the percentage of those who answered "definitely yes" to the question asked by the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey "Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had to do it all over again?".

Should you put Forester on your shopping list? CR says, "The flat-four Boxer engine has a characteristically coarse hum that's not always the most pleasant sounding. However, at least good road and wind noise isolation make the car feel solid and substantial." The 2023 Subaru Forester is the top compact SUV in most areas, but Consumer Reports says it still lags in cabin quietness. However, it doesn't deter owners from buying the Forester compact SUV again.

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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: Schumacher Subaru