Consumers who buy a midsize sedan are looking for a comfortable, quiet cabin, and you don't have to buy a luxury car. So which automaker makes the quietest new sedans? A recent study from Consumer Reports (by subscription) identifies the six quietest mainstream sedans you can buy today. The 2023 Subaru Legacy now scores the fourth-highest in its class and joins the Subaru Ascent 3-Row SUV, which is also best at keeping the noise out.
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 select the best new cars with the quietest cabin. CR's interior noise tests show that the mainstream compact models listed below are the most peaceful. In addition, all six models scored well in road tests, have good reliability, have active safety features, and scored the best in crash tests.
The six quietest mainstream midsize sedans
For long road trips this summer, buyers want a quiet ride. CR identified the six best models you can buy today. The Toyota Camry Hybrid ranks the best, and the Volkswagen Arteon is second-best overall. The Nissan Altima is third, and the Subaru Legacy is fourth, beating the number one-selling 2022 Toyota Camry, Kia K5, and Hyundai Sonata sixth-best.
Why Subaru Legacy is ranked high at keeping the noise out
Consumer Reports says, "Subaru's midsized sedan is sensible and comfortable. The Legacy's cabin is very peaceful, with low levels of road and wind noise. The suspension does an effective job of smoothing out the ride, contributing to that quietness. The standard (2.5-liter) engine has a muffled hum if you're easy on the gas pedal, and it makes itself known only when pushed for hard acceleration. The upper-level (2.4-liter turbocharged) engine is even quieter because it doesn't have to work hard to make power."
What is the price of the 2023 Legacy?
The 2023 Legacy sedan now comes in five trim levels. The 2023 midsize sedan starts at $25,415 for the base trim, Premium ($27,715), Limited ($32,465), Sport with a new 2.4-liter turbo engine ($34,915), and top-of-the-line Touring XT ($38,715). Destination and delivery fees are included in the pricing above ($1,020).
With gas prices rising again, fuel mileage is essential on road trips. What is the Legacy fuel mileage?
The EPA says the Legacy XT 2.4-liter turbocharged engine returns EPA mileage figures estimated at 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 26 combined mpg. The standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-4 engine gets an EPA estimated fuel economy of 27/35 mpg city/highway and 30 combined mpg.
What sets the Legacy apart from the other quiet sedans? First, all Legacy trim levels come standard with Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive for all-weather performance. The Legacy also gets the highest safety scores from the IIHS.
Consumer Reports now ranks the newly-upgraded 2023 Subaru Legacy as one of the six best midsize sedans with the quietest cabins. CR says, "We also like the roomy interior, good visibility, standard Forward Collision Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection."
New sedan shoppers should check out the 2024 Subaru Legacy models. There are new upgrades worth reviewing before you buy. See the model changes in the link below.
You Might Also Like: The new 2024 Subaru Legacy Pricing And Model Guide - The Sport Trim Gets New Upgrades
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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