To each their own.

First know that a Forester uses a completely different motor type than those 2 competitors - really any competitor - in that Subaru uses a flat-4 motor where Honda, Toyota and others use an inline 4 motor. Note that Porsche also uses flat form motors. This means that he pistons move side to side rather than up and down.

This usually does mean more noise from under the hood. Porsche owners certainly are not noting it in a negative way.

A flat-form engine would be like a typical V6 or V8 motor, just laid flat. This may help you visualize the way the engine operates.

Honda uses a much smaller engine (1.5 liter?) 4 cylinder with a small turbo. While the power and MPG ratings are very similar, the real world is a bit less impressive on the Honda, as the smaller engine needs to work that much harder to keep pace. In a review/comparison with a Ford Escape against the Forester in 2013 (for the 2014 Forester), a similar motor in the Escape did poorly in acceleration and MPG in real world driving.

You mentioned that it was a loaner car? That could be part of it just as driving any rental vehicle could have negative impacts with the engine as some people driving loaners and rentals drive them like they don't own them (which they don't).

Part of the noise issue can also be related to perception. In researching this, I can see that the Forester and CR-V have very similar noise levels inside (based on decibels). These were measured at 50 MPH (per the website)

2017	Honda	CR-V Touring	70dB
2015	Honda	CR-V	70dB

2015

Subaru

Forester XT

74dB

Oddly, the same site did NOT have listings for the RAV4, but found these two listings -

2018	Toyota	C-HR XLE	74dB
2018	Toyota	Highlander Hybrid LE	71dB

The CH-R is the small SUV and the Highlander is bigger. Neither is much quieter (or not at all) compared to the XT from Subaru in 2015.

But comparing dB levels is a bit of a rabbit hole to go down to figure this all out as it has to do more with sound "energy" rather than just want sounds louder.

NOTE that this is also related to ALL sounds, not just engine sound. So this includes wind noise, road noise and other sounds when driving.

Quietness is relative. To put this in even more perspective - the majority of cars tested on the site I found those details on ranged from about 68 dB to 75 dB, some Mercedes models were "as loud" as the Forester, as were some other luxury vehicles.

 

Never bothered me. It's quieter than the Crosstrek, that's for sure.

 

Yeah - it never bothered me much, either. I just can turn up the radio volume a bit higher...

But then again, I've also added to my noise levels with the roof-top cargo carrier, the off-road lighting, the all terrain tires...

One other question - which trim level on the RAV4 or CR-V are you looking at? The Forester Premium is the mid-level trim (in the US) and so you may find a Limited our Touring to be a touch quieter (but not really much more so) and you could find that a lower trim level RAV4 or CR-V (or other competition) is just as loud or even louder.

 

Consumer reports did a "Quietest Compact SUVs Tests" report in March of this year.
1. 2021 Mazda CX-5
2. 2021 Rav4 prime
3. 2021 Chevy Equinox
4. 2021 Honda CRV
5. 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
6. 2021 Hyundai Tucson (2.4)

They comment" Its a challenge during a test drive to figure out just how loud a model is ".

 

My observation with regard to my 2020 Touring is that it is a bit growly at lower speeds, but at higher speeds I don't really notice the engine noise much. I am willing to overlook that low speed growling because I like the rest of the car so much. I had a 2005 Volvo V70 that was the same way. At low speeds around town it growled quite a bit, compare to, for example a Honda 4 cylinder Accord, but at higher speeds it was very smooth. In fact, I recall that my son, who had a 4 cylinder Accord, asked me if there was something wrong with the Volvo the first time he drove it. So it really depends on what matters to you.

 

Subarus are jack-of-all-trade vehicles that will constantly surprise you with how well they perform in all of the categories you might compare to more expensive vehicles.

However, if you come at it from the perspective of comparing any one trait in a Subaru to one in a luxury or sport brand, the Subaru will always come up short because the point is to be capable at everything, not excel at anything.

You'll never find a quieter crossover/SUV that can go overlanding with just a tire swap like a Subaru can, or a grocery getter that handles snow and rain as well as a Subaru, or an econobox that gets you 25+mpg with the same overall safety features, or a family road trip vehicle that you'd feel safer about traveling across the country in. Are they quiet? They aren't loud. Are they fast? They'll get you on the highway. Are they rock crawlers? No. Can they tow a boat or a camper? Maybe a fishing boat or teardrop... They do a lot of things well enough. And if you don't have a specific need to maximize one single trait, why would any single shortcoming give you pause? It's just nitpicking.

 

Subarus are jack-of-all-trade vehicles that will constantly surprise you with how well they perform in all of the categories you might compare to more expensive vehicles.

However, if you come at it from the perspective of comparing any one trait in a Subaru to one in a luxury or sport brand, the Subaru will always come up short because the point is to be capable at everything, not excel at anything.

You'll never find a quieter crossover/SUV that can go overlanding with just a tire swap like a Subaru can, or a grocery getter that handles snow and rain as well as a Subaru, or an econobox that gets you 25+mpg with the same overall safety features, or a family road trip vehicle that you'd feel safer about traveling across the country in. Are they quiet? They aren't loud. Are they fast? They'll get you on the highway. Are they rock crawlers? No. Can they tow a boat or a camper? Maybe a fishing boat or teardrop... They do a lot of things well enough. And if you don't have a specific need to maximize one single trait, why would any single shortcoming give you pause? It's just nitpicking.

Just a small quibble. To say that the Subaru brand does not excel at anything, I would say otherwise.

The Outback with a four cylinder engine (non-turbo) is rated to pull a trailer up to 2600#. This is substantially more than most vehicles with 4 cylinders (non-turbo) very commonly at 1500# and rarely at 2000#. My view is that the Outback does excel given its maximum towing capacity. The Outback can tow a great many more boats and campers with its 2600# max capacity. We picked up a 2021 this summer for its towing capacity.

 

I actually sold my '17 CR V Touring for the Forester Sport. I will confess that the Honda is quieter. That said, I gladly got rid of the Honda for the versatility of the Forester (AWD, ground clearance, aftermarket parts and accessories, etc). The Honda, while sleek, had blind spots (have a bad neck) and it was just a boring vehicle. The Forester has a different engine (as others have already mentioned) and larger windows for better views all around but I supposed more glass means less noise insulation so that might contribute to the engine/road noise. If you're just commuting and driving pavement the Honda is a great car but if you want to do that and get some stick time on forest roads than the Subaru wins.

 

You can also consider an application of sound deadening material such as dynamat. I put quite a lot of dynamat in my forester and it is dead quiet inside. It was well worth the investment and time taken to install.

 

I’ve been seriously considering noise mitigation measures for my 2020. Can you share details—specific product/s, locations, noise reduction characteristics? Noise (mainly road noise) is my main issue with the car.

 

I have the 2021 Touring and was surprised it was about as quiet as my old 2007 Camry Hybrid while driving. The engine noise is different than the Camry, but I don't find it noticeably louder under normal acceleration and cruising on local roads, or the freeway.

 

Its a boxer engine. Enjoy it. If you want a quiet car that’s what hybrids are for. ¯\(ツ)/¯

 

I’d like to just point out that tires can be a big source of noise. I bought a set of replacement tires for my 2016 Forester, and have regretted it ever since. On the way home from the tire store, I seriously considered turning around and going back. Now that I need new tires, I am very mindful of the noise ratings. I don’t think that the noise insulation is the best, and is noticeable with snow tires…so it is a tradeoff. Given that, the driving capabilities of this vehicle are truly amazing in snow and ice. If you can stand a very small amount of noise that you get used to, you will love this vehicle in winter weather. I have never seen anything like it before, and loved passing 4-wheelers this last winter. Really.

 

Hello Members,
I just test drove 2021 Forester premium today and the very first thing that I observed was the loud noisy engine. First I thought the windows were not rolled up properly but that wasn't the case. I liked the car overall but the amount of noise that travels from engine to inside the cabin is very annoying and could possibly be a deal breaker for me considering much quieter cabin on competitors like Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in the same price range. This was the first time I drove a Subaru. On further checking looks like this has always been a problem with Subaru's ? I told the sales rep at dealership about it and the response that I got was that he owns two Foresters for 7+ years and never noticed any such issue and that it could be a one off case with the loaner car.
Wanted to understand your experience and thoughts on this.

That's not a PROBLEM!! That's the whole POINT of owning a Subaru. It's DIFFERENT! It's NOISY! It's got CHARACTER! And it will take you places you only dreamed of. Buy it, you'll love it

 

The higher the option level the more sound package you get. The base will have low end sound package and touring will have the best. The xtrek will be louder than the forester and the Outback will be the better for cabin noise. It is the marketing plan to get you to notice and buy higher end. All mfg's do the same.

 

Subarus have historically been on the louder side, and although the current Forester is quieter than previous versions, I do find my '20 notably loud, especially at highway speeds. At higher speeds road noise (and to an extent wind noise) down out engine noise. At lower speeds the engine noise is certainly most prevalent. Personally, I find the road noise most noticeable and annoying.

The design of anything is an exercise in tradeoffs, and the Forester seemingly prioritizes interior space, visibility, efficiency, and on lower trims, value. I read a review of the current Forester (I don't recall where) that described the experience of driving the car as "being surrounded by very thin walls," which I think is spot-on. It doesn't feel as 'insulated' as many cars these days. Personally, that's proving an issue for me. YMMV.

 

Some of the noise you hear could be the CVT. They are usually a bit noisier than conventional transmissions.

I used to be the webmaster and vehicle photographer at a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep store, and drove each vehicle 1/4 mile down the road to the photo spot. Some of the noisiest vehicles were the circa 2010-2012 Jeep Patriots and Compass with the CVT. I thought it was the engine that was noisy. That is, until we got in a Compass with a 5-speed stick. When I drove it the first time, I was amazed at how smooth and quiet it was compared to the CVT. Don't laugh - the drivetrain was almost as smooth and quiet as a Honda Civic or Accord.

 

I don't consider the noise level annoying at all.
I don't accelerate hard and by the time you're up to speed it's quiet and smooth as butter.
Now, my Honda Fit is a different story!!

 

I recall that before buying my 2021 Touring, I saw in the CR write-up on the new Foresters that the cabin was a bit noisier than some competing models (my recollection is that they took dB measurements).

Upon driving it, it did seem noisier than what I was used to, but I was moving from a Lexus ES 350, so that didn't surprise me at all.

I got used to the extra noise in the first week of driving it around, and the seating, handling, clear sight lines, and cargo-carrying capacity and flexibility helped me not ever consider it an issue (and are what convinced me to buy the Forester instead of the CRV or Rav4).

After all, it's an SUV, not a comfort cruiser sedan.

 

I neglected to mention this in a previous comment, but 'impact noise' is also something to be aware of and consider. In addition to road (tire), wind, and engine noise, the noise created by the tires, suspension, body structure, and even interior trim pieces over broken pavement and potholes can make a big difference in the perceived 'quietness' (and perceived quality) of a vehicle. On good to decent roads I think the current get Forester is pretty good/ quiet in that regard, though on broken pavement and over potholes it can be pronounced. I haven't driven most of the usual suspects (CR-V, RAV4, etc) so I can't say if it's any better or worse than those cars.

 

We drove a '21 Rav4 before buying our '21 Forester Limited. The Rav4 seemed way noisier (and harsher sounding) than the Forester. (Plus the Rav4 had way less headroom.)

 

WAY less headroom. I found the front seat area of the RAV4 super cramped in general and immediately crossed it off of the list. As a tall person, the front seat space (especially headroom) of the Forester is great.

 

From Consumer Reports road tests of the RAV4 and Forester...

"The RAV4 has a raucous-sounding engine. It has a gritty throb that's very pronounced and unbecoming of a $30,000 vehicle. It's hardly a consolation that road and wind noises stay in the background. Most competitors are far quieter. The hybrid version is fortunately quieter with less engine noise, though just average overall among peers."

"The flat-four “boxer” engine has a characteristically coarse hum that’s not always the most pleasant sounding. At least good road and wind noise isolation make the car feel solid and substantial."

 

I can't speak to the RAV4 (haven't driven or even ridden in one) though have heard that they're a bit 'coarse' in general.

I do caution putting too much stock into reviews of any kind (I'm definitely guilty of this over the years). They're obviously a good starting point, but they're opinions or impressions after all (and even some empirical measurements like dB measurements can be misleading). I made the mistake of only going on a few short test drives in the Forester—and around town and on good roads it does feel relatively solid and substantial—so I didn't really get a complete impression. In general I find the current Forester super sensitive to road surface (more than any other car I've driven)—it's quiet on asphalt but gets quite loud on concrete and not-smooth pavement.

In the future I plan to rent or borrow any serious contenders and do at least a full day test drive (on familiar roads).

 

Hmm, there are times when idling I have to check the tach to see if the auto start/stop has kicked in. It is almost impossible to tell it is running when it is up to operating temp and idling. This is obviously in Park, or with the AVH engaged. It is smooth and quiet enough that it is tough to tell. Even with my 2010 Impreza I have almost hit the starter because I didn't realize it was still running. And it was overall nowhere near as quiet as the Forester. Now if the valve lash on that SOHC is not in spec, you'll know it is running.

But for a good condition decently maintained boxer engine, I don't think they are nearly as bad as the press makes them out to be. If you are comparing them to a $70,000 plus luxury mobile, then it isn't exactly apples to apples.

In their class of vehicle, IMHO, they are more than acceptable. And the power produced is far smoother than the competition. (Which might make them seem a little boring to some people.)

 

Hmm, there are times when idling I have to check the tach to see if the auto start/stop has kicked in. It is almost impossible to tell it is running when it is up to operating temp and idling. This is obviously in Park, or with the AVH engaged. It is smooth and quiet enough that it is tough to tell. Even with my 2010 Impreza I have almost hit the starter because I didn't realize it was still running. And it was overall nowhere near as quiet as the Forester. Now if the valve lash on that SOHC is not in spec, you'll know it is running.

But for a good condition decently maintained boxer engine, I don't think they are nearly as bad as the press makes them out to be. If you are comparing them to a $70,000 plus luxury mobile, then it isn't exactly apples to apples.

In their class of vehicle, IMHO, they are more than acceptable. And the power produced is far smoother than the competition. (Which might make them seem a little boring to some people.)

Agreed that the Forester engine is well isolated—few vibrations make their way to the cabin. I think Subaru uses relatively soft engine mounts. I don't mind the engine noise either, especially since boxers make a distinct sound.

I also drove a Tiguan and CX-5 and was surprised at the level of driveline vibration in both.

I was coming from a Highlander (albeit an old one with 250K miles) with a smooth-as-butter V6, so a very high bar.

 

A lot of the reason that the Forester engine has (as mentioned by @Tabaplar ) few vibrations is not due to the engine mounts but to the inherent smoothness of the "boxer" engine design.

Subaru has a little video on the website about this - but the basic is that with the flat boxer engine, you have pistons going in opposite directions and so that will naturally balance out the movement and vibration. Most (all?) inline 4 cylinder motors do not have those opposing forces to balance the engine and so they may use balance shafts to smooth the engine. Some V-type engines may also have issues with unbalanced mass causing vibration that can be noticeable.

Take a look at this -

Subaru: Go Where the Love Takes You

Love. It's what makes Subaru, Subaru.

www.subaru.com

 

Hello Members,
I just test drove 2021 Forester premium today and the very first thing that I observed was the loud noisy engine. First I thought the windows were not rolled up properly but that wasn't the case. I liked the car overall but the amount of noise that travels from engine to inside the cabin is very annoying and could possibly be a deal breaker for me considering much quieter cabin on competitors like Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in the same price range. This was the first time I drove a Subaru. On further checking looks like this has always been a problem with Subaru's ? I told the sales rep at dealership about it and the response that I got was that he owns two Foresters for 7+ years and never noticed any such issue and that it could be a one off case with the loaner car.
Wanted to understand your experience and thoughts on this.

I just bought a 2021 Forester, and yes it is noiser than most, but not horrible. The advantage for me is that the seats fold down flat and the squarer back allows for more cargo room. I have hunting dogs that travel in crates to events so I need this. The RAV4 does not fold down flat, not sure about the CRV.

Hello Members,
I just test drove 2021 Forester premium today and the very first thing that I observed was the loud noisy engine. First I thought the windows were not rolled up properly but that wasn't the case. I liked the car overall but the amount of noise that travels from engine to inside the cabin is very annoying and could possibly be a deal breaker for me considering much quieter cabin on competitors like Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in the same price range. This was the first time I drove a Subaru. On further checking looks like this has always been a problem with Subaru's ? I told the sales rep at dealership about it and the response that I got was that he owns two Foresters for 7+ years and never noticed any such issue and that it could be a one off case with the loaner car.
Wanted to understand your experience and thoughts on this.

 

Hello Members,
I just test drove 2021 Forester premium today and the very first thing that I observed was the loud noisy engine. First I thought the windows were not rolled up properly but that wasn't the case. I liked the car overall but the amount of noise that travels from engine to inside the cabin is very annoying and could possibly be a deal breaker for me considering much quieter cabin on competitors like Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in the same price range. This was the first time I drove a Subaru. On further checking looks like this has always been a problem with Subaru's ? I told the sales rep at dealership about it and the response that I got was that he owns two Foresters for 7+ years and never noticed any such issue and that it could be a one off case with the loaner car.
Wanted to understand your experience and thoughts on this.

so loud. I really think they maybe forgot to install noise Deadening material (if they even bother to use any). Feels like I’m driving with a window or door open all the time.. might as well be driving a Jeep Wrangler with the doors And rook off. Can’t wait to trade my Forester in for something else. Feels cheap.

 

I'm on my second Forester now. I kept the first one for 10 years and the current one is 9 years old and I plan to replace it in the next 12 months. And I agree with you that the interior cabin noise in a Forester is very annoying. Consumer Reports rates it as one of the noisiest compact SUVs.

Also, several people here have said that the boxer engine is the problem, but in my experience the engine is the least of it. I find the noise worst at highway speeds on interstates, where road and wind noise dominate and I can hardly hear the engine. I think if they had just put more sound-deadening in the doors and body they could make it a lot quieter without sacrificing all the things we like about the Forester.
There are a lot of other things to like about it though, but I'll be taking a good hard look (and listen!) as I choose my next car.