11 Best SUVs With No Deal-Breaking Flaws - 3 Subaru Models Are A Smart Buy
Not all SUVs will leave you stress-free after a long commute or road trip, regarding driver visibility, easy-to-use controls, and rear-seat comfort. The 2021 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Outback, and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek just scored highest in Consumer Reports’ (by subscription) latest testing.
According to CR, three Subaru all-wheel-drive models are a smart buy for shoppers this fall. Here are the best-rated vehicles and four critical areas to consider while shopping for a subcompact, compact or midsize SUV.
photo credit: Patrick Subaru
Consumer Reports identified four categories where there can be significant deal-breaking flaws that will make a buyer regret a purchase: how the controls work, visibility, rear-seat comfort, and cabin noise.
Best Usability and Controls
The SUVs with the best usability and controls are the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek (subcompact SUV), Kia Sportage (compact SUV), and Kia Sorento (midsize SUV).
CR says, “The Crosstrek’s controls are mostly logical to use and well-placed. The center control area has two screens, the lower one is for the infotainment system, and the one mounted on the top of the dash displays vehicle data.”
Best Visibility
Subaru scores best in all three segments when it comes to best visibility. The best models are the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek (subcompact SUV), 2021 Subaru Forester (compact SUV), and 2022 Subaru Outback (midsize SUV).
Subaru gets criticized for its exterior styling but has consistently scored best in outward visibility. CR says, “The Forester may look like a box on wheels, but that shape gives it several advantages: good headroom, plenty of cargo room, and incredible visibility. It has one of the best outward views of any vehicle we’ve tested.”
Best Rear-Seat Comfort
The highest-rated SUVs for rear-seat passengers are the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek (subcompact SUV), 2021 Subaru Forester (compact SUV), and Hyundai Santa Fe (midsize SUV).
CR says, “The Crosstrek is a well-rounded SUV that treats rear-seat passengers very well. The Forester is very easy to get in and out. The rear doors open wide, leaving a large opening and an easy-to-reach seat. The space in the back is generous, with impressive headroom, legroom, and foot room.”
Cabin Noise
The best SUVs in cabin quietness are the Hyundai Tucson (compact SUV) and Kia Telluride (midsize SUV).
The 2021 Subaru Forester compact SUV, 2021 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV, and 2022 Subaru Outback midsize SUV score highest in Consumer Reports’ latest driver visibility, easy-to-use controls, and rear-seat comfort. CR says the three SUVs don’t have any of the significant deal-breaking flaws, they will keep owners stress-free on a long commute or road trip, and they are a smart buy for shoppers they fall.
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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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