The 7 Best Cars For City Driving - One Feature Sets Subaru Forester SUV Apart

What are the best new 2021 model year cars and SUVs for city driving? According to Consumer Reports (by subscription), seven new models are the best for urban commuters. The 2021 Subaru Forester ranks as one of the best small SUVs even though it's larger. One characteristic sets it apart from the other compact SUVs on the list.

Consumer Reports says the best cars for city driving should have six characteristics; a tight turning radius to navigate city streets, shouldn't be too big, get good fuel mileage, have a smooth ride, standard safety features, and city-specific features like folding mirrors and surround-view cameras.

The seven best 2021 model year cars and SUVs for urban commuters are the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Toyota Corolla, Mini Cooper, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V Toyota RAV4. The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek gets an honorable mention but fails to make the list because not all trims come with standard EyeSight driver-assist technology.

Why is the Forester ranked one of the seven best?

According to Consumer Reports, they say the 2021 Subaru Forester is the right choice for urban commuters. The compact SUV offers "tons of safety features, lots of room for passengers and cargo, easy access, and city mileage of 20 mpg. CR's testers also praised its "simple controls, comfortable ride, and responsive handling."

Photo credit: Don Miller Subaru

One characteristic sets Forester apart from the other cars on the list; the 2021 Forester has "great visibility." Seeing other vehicles and objects is one characteristic consumers don't think about when shopping for a car. But excellent visibility in an SUV is rare.

It's uncommon because automakers design their new small SUVs with raked rooflines to give them a sporty appearance. Subaru bucks that trend, and Forester has larger greenhouse windows and a higher roofline. The Forester's design provides the driver with excellent outward visibility not seen in any other models.

The 2021 Subaru Forester gets recognized for its excellent outward visibility. CR ranks the Forester the best compact SUV beating both Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, while the worst is the GMC Terrain. The Subaru Legacy and Subaru WRX also scored best-in-class. Forester also received a "Good Design Award" from the Japan Design Promotion Organization for its excellent driver visibility.

The 2021 Subaru Forester may not be the most stylish compact SUV, but it ranks number one among all SUVs for its excellent visibility. Consumer Reports says it's one of the seven best cars for city driving.

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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: Subaru, Adventure Subaru, Don Miller Subaru