Small cars vary just as large cars vary.

I like Hondas, I like the Chevy Sonic, I like the Nissan Altima. I think the Nissan Sentra has dangerously little purchase on the road, and can't stand the drivability of either the Toyota Corolla (almost crazy optimization of gas car for high m.p.g.) or the Camry.

I think the roar of the engine and the sounds outside are an important sensory channel in driving, so "super quiet" doesn't matter for me.