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CR’s 10 Quietest Midsize SUVs - Subaru Outback Now Ranks 7th Best

Which midsize SUVs have the quietest cabins? Check out ten models that are best at keeping the noise out. The 2022 Subaru Outback is now ranked seventh-best.

Consumers who buy a midsize SUV are looking for a comfortable, quiet cabin, and you don't have to buy a luxury car to get it. Which automaker makes the quietest new SUVs? A recent study from Consumer Reports (by subscription) identifies the ten quietest mainstream midsize SUVs you can buy today. The 2022 Subaru Outback now scores the seventh-highest in its class and joins the Subaru Impreza compact and Legacy sedan best at keeping the noise out.

Because it's hard for SUV shoppers to determine how quiet a vehicle is in a short test drive, Consumer Reports tests all models to determine the best new cars with the most hushed cabin. CR's interior noise tests show that the mainstream midsize models listed below are the quietest. All ten models scored well in road tests, have good reliability, have active safety features, and scored the best in crash tests.

2022 Subaru Outback, features, specs, pricing, fuel mileage
photo credit: Competition Subaru

The ten quietest mainstream midsize SUVs

For long road trips this summer, buyers want a quiet ride. CR identified the ten best models you can buy today.

The Kia Telluride ranks the best, followed by the Hyundai Palisade, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Passport, Mazda CX-9, Subaru Outback, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas.

2022 Subaru Outback, features, specs, pricing, fuel mileage
photo credit: Competition Subaru

Why Subaru Outback makes the top ten

Consumer Reports says, "Yes, it looks more like a raised wagon than an SUV, yet the Outback is a formidable competitor, thanks to its solid feel and very comfortable ride that outshines even some luxury SUVs. The up-level 260-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the XT trim gives the Outback effortless punch. It also has a far-quieter demeanor than the base engine. The XT's interior is nicely trimmed and keeps most noises where they belong outside the cabin."

What is the price of the 2022 Outback?

The 2022 Outback comes in eight trim levels; the base trim is priced from $28,820, Premium ($31,020), Limited ($35,470), Touring ($39,370), Onyx Edition XT ($37,020), new for 2022, Outback Wilderness ($38,870), Limited XT ($39,870), and Touring XT ($41,820). Pricing includes $1,175 destination and
delivery fees.

With gas prices averaging $5.00 per gallon, fuel mileage is essential on road trips.

The EPA fuel mileage rating of the 2022 Outback XT 2.4-liter turbo is 23/30 city/highway mpg and 26 combined mpg. The estimated fuel economy of the standard 2.5-liter engine is 26/33 mpg city/highway and 29 combined mpg.

The EPA says the new 2022 Outback Wilderness gets an estimated 22/26 city/highway mpg and 24 combined mpg. The 2021 Outback XT with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine gets an EPA estimated 23/30 city/highway mpg and 26 combined mpg.

What's next for the 2023 Subaru Outback?

Customers may want to wait for the newly-upgraded 2023 Outback. The Outback midsize SUV gets new updates with a redesigned front fascia, the latest version of EyeSight safety technology, and a new wide-angle mono camera. Subaru also updated Outback's multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Before the refreshed 2023 Outback arrives, Consumer Reports now ranks the 2022 Outback as one of the ten best midsize SUVs with the quietest cabins.

You Might Also Like: Meet The Refreshed 2023 Subaru Outback - Full Details And Images

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: Competition Subaru