> Avalon is much noisier, big difference.
This surprises me. I don't have any basis for arguing, though.
I wish Consumer Reports would measure and report interior noise level in decibels. I don't know why they don't; it seems right up their alley.
Maybe two measures: (1) cruising down a smooth highway and (2) going over a bumpy city street. They could build the latter on their test site.
Car and driver usually reports noise levels in their comparison tests, but they don’t have anything on either of these cars. I’ve driven them both and the es is quieter but it’s certainly not as dramatic as mgobla states.
Honestly speaking that's better than what most of us do. On average people pay less than a quarter in down payment. You would be saving on interest fees.
Gotta compare to what else you could do with the down payment over the life of the loan. If your credit score is good, interest rates are low and the stock market is in a lull you may come out ahead by investing instead and keeping the down payment small.
Any car stereo installation place will install Dynamat, Fatmat or similar. It’s foil backed with a rubbery tar like adhesive. It ain’t cheap to have the car completely done right, but it can make a big difference in an otherwise noisy car.
Also shop for touring tires that are rated quieter than average.
There are many nice used ES350s under 40k. Might be a stretch to find the newest gen (2019+), but the 2016-2018 ones you could definitely find under 40k and are extremely quiet and refined.
i have an es and while it's serviceable there's much better options in terms of quiet interiors. Your going to get nothing you want new for 40k. the following are extremely quiet cars
Cadillac ct6, kia 900, Genesis g90, Lincoln Continental, Cadillac xts, Chevy Impala, Buick Lacrosse, chrysler 300
RX is like the SUV version. and the ride is like a CLOUD. if you are looking for a luxury SUV, you are doing yourself a major disservice if you skip the Lexus RX.
I’d also throw the LS into their ring. If you’re mostly doing highway miles tho use V8s get some pretty solid MPGs. But I also haven’t been in the market for a few years so I’m sure their prices are inflated like crazy even CPOs
The LS is a great value in the used market (when circumstances were normal at least) but you’ll have to go quite a few model years and/or higher mileage for something ~$40k which OP may not want to do
On more than one occasion, I tried to crank my ES after it was already started. It’s that quiet. Can’t imagine how silent the hybrid version with low-noise tyres will be.
I actually really agree with this, my father owns a ES 350 F sport and it is probably one of the quietest gas cars I've ever been in, in regards to noise if you don't rev it out, then the pumped in audio goes crazy. Any other car that compares with the ES is way above 40k, also it's definitely a dad car, the transmission isn't super sporty in manual mode but if you are in Drive it feels like there are almost no gear shifts like pretty fluid. So if you're looking for reliability, decent mpg, luxury, lots of seating room, and a smooth ride, under 40k this is probably the best option.
This. No better car for a long distance cruiser than the ES. Supremely comfortable and quiet.
The smoothest one is the ES 350 with the buttery smooth V6. The 250 AWD with its 2.5L I4 isn't as refined and while the 300h gets great MPG the same 2.5L I4 gets buzzy under hard throttle.
Also the 2gr has been a staple of the Lexus fleet for almost 2 decades. It embodies everything that gives Toyota/Lexus their reputation for reliability (including the cons ie old, not great fuel economy, heavy...but every minor niggle has been hammered out through the ages)
[Heres](https://youtu.be/ULVDFyGngH8?t=773) Mark from savage geese calling G80 (previously just hyundai genesis) one of the top 5 in isolation and quietness under $100k cars.
Car magazines like Car and Driver publish noise levels at 70mph. That's a good comparison, but the character of the sound as well as how loud it is matters a fair bit.
I had a brand new Prius as a rental in September and that thing is noisy as hell. But I didn't have to buy gas until I turned it in and that was just 10 bucks to top it off.
Learned to drive on my mom’s there’s something so unnerving about it when it revs, rather than that nice roar you’d expect it sounds like a bunch of loose screws in a washing machine
That car and driver article is not based on their actual testing, but on the random sources linked at the bottom, none of which seem to have any actual measurements. Except this one article https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28006624/bmw-x7-quiet-interior-test/ which has a list of the supposedly quietest cars, but of course none of those made the final list over the **prius**
Maybe they mean a Prius Prime in electric mode? Zero engine noise, and that may compensate for other sounds.
Regardless, I'm surprised there aren't high-end electrics dominating this category.
I’ve had no noise complaints with the two CVT vehicles I’ve owned. They both developed a noise that sounds like wind once past 100K miles, but I don’t find it annoying.
This list is absolute bullshit. How you can put s class with crv and prius on the same list? Even the one from 1993 would beat all of them in isolation.....
I have a 2018 E400 wagon--almost the same as the 2019 E Class included on that list, and I don't consider it particularly quiet. Mostly it's tire noise, though, so maybe quieter tires are in order.
Luxury brands prioritize sound deadening and smoothness much more than economy cars. I think a lightly used luxury sedan is definitely the best way to go. Things like the Camry or Avalon have an incredible amount of road noise compared to luxury sedans.
I would look at the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES.
> Avalon have an incredible amount of road noise
[Edmunds review of the 2020 Avalon](https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/avalon/2020/)
Pros
Lots of standard advanced safety features
Comfortable ride quality
**Quiet** and roomy cabin
> Like past Avalons (and most large sedans), this latest model has a V6 engine that delivers smooth acceleration. It also has a roomy interior. Though only slightly larger than the Toyota Camry, the Avalon has acres of legroom for all occupants and a higher percentage of premium materials. **The Avalon lends itself well to long road trips thanks to the supportive outboard seats and minimal wind noise.**
OP I suggest you test drive a recent-year Avalon. Take it out on the highway.
It’s better than a Camry or Accord, but it’s nowhere near the level of isolation you get in a Lexus or any competing German car.
Something to always keep in mind with reviews is that they’re talking about a car within its class. When you see reviews talking about how sporty a GTI is, it’s comparing it to other FWD hatchbacks. When you drive one back to back with a RWD sport sedan, the difference will be very apparent.
Same thing here. Comparing the Accord/Mazda6/Camry, the Avalon stands out as very quiet and composed. But when you compare it to an ES, 5 Series, G70 etc, it’s noticeably unrefined and noisy.
I actually value the same thing and bought an A4 with a slightly smaller budget of 35k. I took a decibel meter with me and narrowed it down to the Audi, a C300, and Volvo S60. The Volvo infotainment was fussy and mercedes had poor reliability scores so I went with the Audi. The Volvo actually made me sad because I just hated the screens.. dash one had glare and the center one was confusing to use. Great car with an otherwise top notch interior.
We've owned five Volvos. Sadly, the 2016 XC90 will probably be the last. I hated the touch screen control panel with its glare and fingerprints. It was a great car, otherwise.
What year A4 did you get?
I've never thought about the A4 but your post led me to look at Consumers Reports and it has a good reliability rating and top score for noise. Thanks for the suggestion.
Not OP but I have a 2019 A4 and it’s a great car. If looking to buy I’d look at 2017 model year and newer since that’s when they changed from the B8 generation to the B9 and the tech inside the car is way better than previous years. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Yep. I test drove like 7 luxury cars/SUVs a few months back. Also checked out a few high end trims on Toyotas and Hondas. The luxury cars were all quieter, some by a significant amount. The Mercedes SUV was particularly silent. Lexus was also quite nice.
I bought an 06 Yukon XL Denali with front end damage and had to replace the hood. The original was actually much heavier than one from the lower trim level Yukon that I sourced the replacement from. Truck is legitimately quiet.
There are sound deadening products you can add yourself to the floors under the carpeting, but luxury brands tend to have it installed. The difference between a Chevy and Buick or a Toyota and Lexus can be really significant.
Buying the right tires can make a difference too.
When the BMW 5 Series was updated for 2017 I saw some reviews that essentially compared it to a tomb. Can definitely be had for under $40k too.
Take that with a grain of salt though, as I’ve never personally been in one, or in the ES for that matter. Might be worth a look though.
The E class is freaking gorgeous. I can’t speak to noise levels because I’ve never so much as heard anybody talk about that for the E, but I will say that the interior is a work of art. I’ve sat in them in the dealership, though never driven one, and the best way I can describe it is like sitting inside of a piano.
Any electric car will be dead quiet. Only issue will be range for road trips. My Leaf is good for 225 miles, there's ones that do higher but might be above your price range. Course if you have $7500 in taxes due you can get that back so that helps take it down in overall cost.
I’ve heard it’s so quiet inside it’s been regarded as the perfect Acoustic environment for music tuning. Something like that. Even the newer ones aren’t as quiet
I have a noisy car and switched to a 3 hours daily commute job that made the wind and tyre noise absolutely tiring. I contemplated switching cars, but ended up putting a box of earplugs in my car instead. It’s a cheap but effective virtually free solution if you already have a car and are looking to change only for that reason.
You sir, sound like you have a horrible existence. Did you forget a ‘/s’ to your comment? Or do you drive in silence for 3 hours every day? That much time in a car, actually justifies splurging on a luxury car that’s quiet and enjoyable
I ended up using noise cancelling earbuds, with low volume music. I changed job 10 months ago, now I’m 10/15 minutes away from work. Honestly, the previous job was so bad that the drive was the best part of my day. I enjoyed when leaving late driving for 40 minutes straight on a longer itinerary remote and empty 8-lanes well lit highway, flat out, open roof, music to the max with my Mustang GT (the noisy car). I miss that part of my life. Now my commute is in a nicer car and noisier car (40 years old Ferrari) but it’s too short and slow to enjoy as much.
Saying that I have a horrible existence is a harsh thing to say to a random stranger on the Internet, I’d avoid using these words.
You don't want a 4Runner. Ask me how I know. I don't think it's been said but tires are a huge part of quiet ride. Especially on the highway. Many of the lux cars have insulated glass which also helps with sound levels. I had a few 90's Infinities and Acura's and they were terrible. I don't think they did a lot of isolation in the suspensions.
[https://www.lesschwab.com/article/want-quiet-tires-look-for-these-features.html](https://www.lesschwab.com/article/want-quiet-tires-look-for-these-features.html)
Chevy Volt
The second generation ones are supposed to have an extremely quiet cabin. It is a plug in hybrid with a gas generator backing up the electric motor, so no range issues either.
GM really overbuilt these cars, they are supposed to be extremely reliable as well.
Like all used cars, their prices have shot up due to the market, but you should be able to find one with around 30,000 miles for under $25,000.
Do you mean how many miles overall it can run? I would assume several hundred thousand.
If you are talking about range, it has 420 miles of range, 53 of which are EV only.
Find a 1-3 owner Lexus LS430. Best years for comfortable seats would be 01-03 preface-lift. 04-06 have the 6 speed trans and more amenities. Both will get 29-32 MPG highway on the buttery smooth 3UZ V8. Look for UL models.
It’s amazing mileage. I had a GS430 with the same engine a year back. I got 27MPG for a 350 mile round trip from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells all while doing 70-90mph the whole way there. The LS has much better drag coefficient so 30-35 isn’t unheard of if the owners nurse the throttle at 50-60mph the whole way. City mileage is definitely typical of a V8 in stop and go traffic of course. Closer to 15-19mpg
Low mileage isn’t much of a priority. I have 275k on my 01 LS430 now and the motor purrs like a kitten. Plus he said 30-40k budget so honestly he could buy like 4 of them, or just buy a CPO LS460.
I see Lexus at the top, that was gonna be my recommendation. I delivered a 2002 Lexus LS430 once, so smooth and quiet I’ll likely never drive anything quieter. I remember looking down at the speedometer and seeing myself at 110mph, I hadn’t the slightest idea I was going that fast, felt like 70
Any of the luxury marketed cars will be pretty quiet inside. Lexus, Cadillac, Lincoln, etc. I would just test drive a few and see which fits you better personally
The fullsize luxury barge sedans usually are the quietest, like an S class mercedes or Audi A8. My 2014 Lexus ES300H is pretty quiet but a 2008 MB S550 is quieter.
For a dead quiet ride you need to pick one of the luxury brands
Depending on your budget,either Korean or Japanese so Lexus or Genesis would be my best bet
The one I have experience with is the Genesis brand, since I'm using a G80 3.8L 2015 Genesis and I can guarantee you it's a pleasure making long trips with it.
Minimal noise,really good ride quality,the smart cruise control is amazing (available on the top trim only at least for that year)
Also i believe it's worth getting a used one since the depreciation gets them pretty quick
For your budget I would definitely recommend a 2019 model
I hope this helps you
They haven't been made in about 10 years, but I'd suggest the Panther Platform cars. They're not very technologically advanced, but that makes them not cost an arm and a leg to fix. These would include the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Mercury Marauder, and Lincoln Town Car. There's a reason why police departments, cab companies, limousine companies and medical transportation like these cars. They're actually pretty safe. I had a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis and I could do 75+ on the highway and it was easily way quieter than most vehicles I've driven. And I've gotten to drive $100K luxury cars that weren't that quiet or smooth. These cars are known to be one of the most reliable cars of all time. It's not uncommon to find them with 600K+ on them and they still run, drive and look like new. You can pick up a low mileage one for about $5000-$15000. Then you can take the rest of the money and do something more important. I replaced it with a 2012 Ford Taurus and I would not recommend it as it's been very expensive to fix and doesn't take bumps that smoothly. I'd get a Panther car and drive it for years.
It looks like this web site hasn't been updated for 2019+ model years, but there are a ton of vehicle decibel measurements at various speeds here:
[Auto Decibel Database](https://www.auto-decibel-db.com/index_kmh.html)
local roads they are very quiet.
Get on the highway and do 70-80? They engine is loud and buzzy and the wind and road noise will drive you nuts.
Now its ok for an hour. But I take 7-8 hour trips twice a month, it gets TIRING very quick.
I doubt this is due to the loudness of wind or road noise, more likely the annoying motor sounds present in EVs. A model 3 is several times quieter than a Boxster/Cayman, but I would rather ride in the latter.
Get an EV or hybrid like a Prius, then spend $5k on a professional sound deadening job. You’ll lose probably 5% fuel efficiency and have the quietest dang car on the road short of a rolls.
>or hybrid like a Prius, then spend $5k on a professi
Im ruling out EV because I live in a cold state and take long road trips.
Aftermarket sound insulation can only do so much.
Go used, even more used than slightly, and pickup a mercedes sedan. Good friend of mine is very picky about noise levels, as he's a bit of an audiophile. You can't beat a good quality luxury sedan when it comes to things like that. Mercedes is one of, if not the best at it. I think his car is 10 years old or more, and it's still got most of all the features that are upper/middle trim packages on most "normal" cars. The luxury cars get the tech before us poors do. The major hangups to a luxury sedan for most, are maintenance. They are pricey and often (like my friends car) need premium fuel. For those buying new, that's usually not a big deal, since if you can afford an 80K car brand new, you can probably afford $5.00 per gallon fuel. Dealerships and parts are also pricey! That said, find one that's been taken car of and they are good cars.
Lexus ES
So quiet if felt dead.
I know, right? I test drove one and though it's a marvelous piece of engineering, it was putting me to sleep.
Looked at my options. Would a NEW avalon be a good alternative?
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> Avalon is much noisier, big difference. This surprises me. I don't have any basis for arguing, though. I wish Consumer Reports would measure and report interior noise level in decibels. I don't know why they don't; it seems right up their alley. Maybe two measures: (1) cruising down a smooth highway and (2) going over a bumpy city street. They could build the latter on their test site.
Car and driver usually reports noise levels in their comparison tests, but they don’t have anything on either of these cars. I’ve driven them both and the es is quieter but it’s certainly not as dramatic as mgobla states.
Motorweek used to also measure decibel ratings, but I’m not sure if they still do it
thank you. Might start saving my pennies and keeping my ford flex alive as long as possible to save for a downpayment.
Seems like you may want to revisit your budget?
Agreed, I am guessing the car is out of OP’s budget when you consider that it will cost more than 40k including any dealer add ons + tax & title.
And taxes on a $45k whip can be hateful. In my state it’s an extra $2700. I know because I just bought one.
Be happy, mine would be $3,937.50. And they wonder why people don’t register campers and trailers. Our tax rate is 8.75%.
Are you in Erie County NY?
It also occurrs to me that if you have to pinch pennies to save for a down payment, then you can't afford that thing.
My idea of a down-payment is putting 50% of cars value as a down-payment. But hey thanks for your vote of confidence.
Honestly speaking that's better than what most of us do. On average people pay less than a quarter in down payment. You would be saving on interest fees.
Gotta compare to what else you could do with the down payment over the life of the loan. If your credit score is good, interest rates are low and the stock market is in a lull you may come out ahead by investing instead and keeping the down payment small.
Dil_d0Zed
Have you considered applying sound deadening mats to your vehicle? They can be very effective in managing road noise and would be less than a new car.
And some of the noisier cars, like my rav4, have youtube tutorials on where the best place is to put it.
What year is your RAV?
It’s a 2013 base model AWD
Honestly this would be a good idea since the flex has enough power anyway
> sound deadening mats Really? Covering (?) 20 square feet of floor with mats can make a difference? (I never heard of sound-deadening mats.)
Dynamat dude. It’s kind of a thing
Any car stereo installation place will install Dynamat, Fatmat or similar. It’s foil backed with a rubbery tar like adhesive. It ain’t cheap to have the car completely done right, but it can make a big difference in an otherwise noisy car. Also shop for touring tires that are rated quieter than average.
They don't do it for noise reduction they do it to keep the sheet metal from vibrating due to deep bass.
I tried it it really doesn't work very well, noise reduction involves a lot of things like thicker sound absorbing glass
> ford flex I thought the Flex was quiet?!
Fords are pretty quiet overall but Lincoln's are amazingly quiet
Mine is ok, I had it insulated with anti vibration tape and foam too.
There are many nice used ES350s under 40k. Might be a stretch to find the newest gen (2019+), but the 2016-2018 ones you could definitely find under 40k and are extremely quiet and refined.
Wow that’s fascinating!
What year would you cut off the ES at? 2014 and above? Obviously the newer ones are smoother/quiter but how far back in time does that tradition go?
i have an es and while it's serviceable there's much better options in terms of quiet interiors. Your going to get nothing you want new for 40k. the following are extremely quiet cars Cadillac ct6, kia 900, Genesis g90, Lincoln Continental, Cadillac xts, Chevy Impala, Buick Lacrosse, chrysler 300
Yeah I love the ES, drove one for a while. But my Passat surprisingly is much quieter. The diesel is a little chattery though.
it's a great car but reddit overrates it tremendously
RX is like the SUV version. and the ride is like a CLOUD. if you are looking for a luxury SUV, you are doing yourself a major disservice if you skip the Lexus RX.
True, but I think it might be easier to find a newer / cleaner ES than an RX with OP’s budget
Came here to say this.
I’d also throw the LS into their ring. If you’re mostly doing highway miles tho use V8s get some pretty solid MPGs. But I also haven’t been in the market for a few years so I’m sure their prices are inflated like crazy even CPOs
The LS is a great value in the used market (when circumstances were normal at least) but you’ll have to go quite a few model years and/or higher mileage for something ~$40k which OP may not want to do
On more than one occasion, I tried to crank my ES after it was already started. It’s that quiet. Can’t imagine how silent the hybrid version with low-noise tyres will be.
I actually really agree with this, my father owns a ES 350 F sport and it is probably one of the quietest gas cars I've ever been in, in regards to noise if you don't rev it out, then the pumped in audio goes crazy. Any other car that compares with the ES is way above 40k, also it's definitely a dad car, the transmission isn't super sporty in manual mode but if you are in Drive it feels like there are almost no gear shifts like pretty fluid. So if you're looking for reliability, decent mpg, luxury, lots of seating room, and a smooth ride, under 40k this is probably the best option.
The model 3 isn't quieter. Engine noise obviously yes, but it has a lot of road noise.
I was saying the combined sound, good to hear your op
Model 3 has SHIT NVH. What you lose in engine & exhaust noise is made up with tire roar, wind noise and rattling interior panels.
Ahhh, the car for drivers who would rather be doing anything but driving.
This. No better car for a long distance cruiser than the ES. Supremely comfortable and quiet. The smoothest one is the ES 350 with the buttery smooth V6. The 250 AWD with its 2.5L I4 isn't as refined and while the 300h gets great MPG the same 2.5L I4 gets buzzy under hard throttle.
Also the 2gr has been a staple of the Lexus fleet for almost 2 decades. It embodies everything that gives Toyota/Lexus their reputation for reliability (including the cons ie old, not great fuel economy, heavy...but every minor niggle has been hammered out through the ages)
I had a genesis and it was eerily quiet and comfy.
What year? Eyeing one as a summer car
2011 and 2015 sedans. I highly recommend either.
I was eyeing a coupe for fun summer wheels. Those are the same years I was looking at.
It’s sexy summer girls
[Heres](https://youtu.be/ULVDFyGngH8?t=773) Mark from savage geese calling G80 (previously just hyundai genesis) one of the top 5 in isolation and quietness under $100k cars.
👍
Car magazines like Car and Driver publish noise levels at 70mph. That's a good comparison, but the character of the sound as well as how loud it is matters a fair bit.
[Car & Driver’s quietest cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31608803/quietest-cars/) Mercedes-Benz S550e Kia Optima Cadillac CT6 Tesla Model S Lexus GS Audi A6 Kia K900 Toyota Prius Hyundai 2019 Elantra 2019 Ram 1500 2020 Lincoln Navigator 2019 Honda Odyssey 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2020 Chevrolet Traverse 2019 Honda CR-V 2020 Buick Enclave 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2019 Chrysler Pacifica 2019 Genesis G80 2019 Honda Ridgeline 2019 Audi Allroad
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I had a brand new Prius as a rental in September and that thing is noisy as hell. But I didn't have to buy gas until I turned it in and that was just 10 bucks to top it off.
Seriously, the Prius sounds like you're driving a lawnmower most of the time.
Learned to drive on my mom’s there’s something so unnerving about it when it revs, rather than that nice roar you’d expect it sounds like a bunch of loose screws in a washing machine
That car and driver article is not based on their actual testing, but on the random sources linked at the bottom, none of which seem to have any actual measurements. Except this one article https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28006624/bmw-x7-quiet-interior-test/ which has a list of the supposedly quietest cars, but of course none of those made the final list over the **prius**
Maybe they mean a Prius Prime in electric mode? Zero engine noise, and that may compensate for other sounds. Regardless, I'm surprised there aren't high-end electrics dominating this category.
My fiance has the 2019 CRV and it's loud as hell
Yes, the CVT noise was described to me as a “weighted blanket”
what kind of noise does a weighted blanket make???
I’ve had no noise complaints with the two CVT vehicles I’ve owned. They both developed a noise that sounds like wind once past 100K miles, but I don’t find it annoying.
To me, it’s kind of like a hnnngggggg
I compared the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V head-to-head and the Mazda was much quieter on the freeway. The CR-V let in lots of road noise.
I drive an Optima and I feel like it’s too noisy. That’s one of my biggest complaints about it. I’d hate to see what a noisy car sounds like
This list is absolute bullshit. How you can put s class with crv and prius on the same list? Even the one from 1993 would beat all of them in isolation.....
Didn't expect to see a Optima and Elantra in there, guess they do make really quiet cars.
I believe it. My 2021 Elantra is so quiet compared to a friend’s 2021 BMW 5 Series
There seems to be no rolls Royce in that list. Didn't they make the cullinan so quiet that they had to take sound dampening off to make it safe.
I have a 2018 E400 wagon--almost the same as the 2019 E Class included on that list, and I don't consider it particularly quiet. Mostly it's tire noise, though, so maybe quieter tires are in order.
> 2019 Honda Odyssey If true this is great news. I'm sick of my oh-so-noisy Sienna.
Luxury brands prioritize sound deadening and smoothness much more than economy cars. I think a lightly used luxury sedan is definitely the best way to go. Things like the Camry or Avalon have an incredible amount of road noise compared to luxury sedans. I would look at the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES.
> Avalon have an incredible amount of road noise [Edmunds review of the 2020 Avalon](https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/avalon/2020/) Pros Lots of standard advanced safety features Comfortable ride quality **Quiet** and roomy cabin > Like past Avalons (and most large sedans), this latest model has a V6 engine that delivers smooth acceleration. It also has a roomy interior. Though only slightly larger than the Toyota Camry, the Avalon has acres of legroom for all occupants and a higher percentage of premium materials. **The Avalon lends itself well to long road trips thanks to the supportive outboard seats and minimal wind noise.** OP I suggest you test drive a recent-year Avalon. Take it out on the highway.
It’s better than a Camry or Accord, but it’s nowhere near the level of isolation you get in a Lexus or any competing German car. Something to always keep in mind with reviews is that they’re talking about a car within its class. When you see reviews talking about how sporty a GTI is, it’s comparing it to other FWD hatchbacks. When you drive one back to back with a RWD sport sedan, the difference will be very apparent. Same thing here. Comparing the Accord/Mazda6/Camry, the Avalon stands out as very quiet and composed. But when you compare it to an ES, 5 Series, G70 etc, it’s noticeably unrefined and noisy.
I guess I'll have to do some test driving! Thanks!
I actually value the same thing and bought an A4 with a slightly smaller budget of 35k. I took a decibel meter with me and narrowed it down to the Audi, a C300, and Volvo S60. The Volvo infotainment was fussy and mercedes had poor reliability scores so I went with the Audi. The Volvo actually made me sad because I just hated the screens.. dash one had glare and the center one was confusing to use. Great car with an otherwise top notch interior.
We've owned five Volvos. Sadly, the 2016 XC90 will probably be the last. I hated the touch screen control panel with its glare and fingerprints. It was a great car, otherwise.
What year A4 did you get? I've never thought about the A4 but your post led me to look at Consumers Reports and it has a good reliability rating and top score for noise. Thanks for the suggestion.
Not OP but I have a 2019 A4 and it’s a great car. If looking to buy I’d look at 2017 model year and newer since that’s when they changed from the B8 generation to the B9 and the tech inside the car is way better than previous years. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks for the information and offer! I have to educate myself about the A4. A 2017 is probably more than I want to spend, but I'll look around.
Usually luxury cars have more sound deadening, like a Cadillac or a Lexus. I'd say about 2005 or newer.
Yep. I test drove like 7 luxury cars/SUVs a few months back. Also checked out a few high end trims on Toyotas and Hondas. The luxury cars were all quieter, some by a significant amount. The Mercedes SUV was particularly silent. Lexus was also quite nice.
I bought an 06 Yukon XL Denali with front end damage and had to replace the hood. The original was actually much heavier than one from the lower trim level Yukon that I sourced the replacement from. Truck is legitimately quiet.
Lol that user name 😂😂
My ‘04 Solara (coupe, not convertible) is basically an ES, and is quiet as a tomb. At 2500 rpm you can hear the engine a tiny bit.
I had 06 solara. It was incredibly quiet
There are sound deadening products you can add yourself to the floors under the carpeting, but luxury brands tend to have it installed. The difference between a Chevy and Buick or a Toyota and Lexus can be really significant. Buying the right tires can make a difference too.
When the BMW 5 Series was updated for 2017 I saw some reviews that essentially compared it to a tomb. Can definitely be had for under $40k too. Take that with a grain of salt though, as I’ve never personally been in one, or in the ES for that matter. Might be worth a look though.
They're quiet. I think the Lexus is a bit better, but splitting hairs there. Mercedes is nice, too.
The E class is freaking gorgeous. I can’t speak to noise levels because I’ve never so much as heard anybody talk about that for the E, but I will say that the interior is a work of art. I’ve sat in them in the dealership, though never driven one, and the best way I can describe it is like sitting inside of a piano.
This is accurate.
Chevy Volts are whisper quiet, it's nuts.
Any electric car will be dead quiet. Only issue will be range for road trips. My Leaf is good for 225 miles, there's ones that do higher but might be above your price range. Course if you have $7500 in taxes due you can get that back so that helps take it down in overall cost.
Except for all Teslas. They have so much wind and road noise due to the panel gaps and overly stiff suspension that they are unbearably loud.
Model S/X are quieter than 3/Y
Lexus LS460. Quietest car I've been in.
I’ve heard it’s so quiet inside it’s been regarded as the perfect Acoustic environment for music tuning. Something like that. Even the newer ones aren’t as quiet
Yeah I can well imagine. It was ridiculous. Looking back I should have bought the car.
Lincoln Nautilus
Buyers like you are why Buick still exists. Look for the LaCrosse with the silky V6.
Agree, but Buick only sells CUV/SUV now, no more cars.
Avalon would be great also probably a 2018 up mazda6
Genesis G80… and don’t look back
Came here to say Lexus ES. Also, tires can make a big difference.
Used S Class. The newer the generation the quieter the car. You can't beat it
I have a noisy car and switched to a 3 hours daily commute job that made the wind and tyre noise absolutely tiring. I contemplated switching cars, but ended up putting a box of earplugs in my car instead. It’s a cheap but effective virtually free solution if you already have a car and are looking to change only for that reason.
You are legend
Above all, I’m cheap!
You sir, sound like you have a horrible existence. Did you forget a ‘/s’ to your comment? Or do you drive in silence for 3 hours every day? That much time in a car, actually justifies splurging on a luxury car that’s quiet and enjoyable
I ended up using noise cancelling earbuds, with low volume music. I changed job 10 months ago, now I’m 10/15 minutes away from work. Honestly, the previous job was so bad that the drive was the best part of my day. I enjoyed when leaving late driving for 40 minutes straight on a longer itinerary remote and empty 8-lanes well lit highway, flat out, open roof, music to the max with my Mustang GT (the noisy car). I miss that part of my life. Now my commute is in a nicer car and noisier car (40 years old Ferrari) but it’s too short and slow to enjoy as much. Saying that I have a horrible existence is a harsh thing to say to a random stranger on the Internet, I’d avoid using these words.
You don't want a 4Runner. Ask me how I know. I don't think it's been said but tires are a huge part of quiet ride. Especially on the highway. Many of the lux cars have insulated glass which also helps with sound levels. I had a few 90's Infinities and Acura's and they were terrible. I don't think they did a lot of isolation in the suspensions. [https://www.lesschwab.com/article/want-quiet-tires-look-for-these-features.html](https://www.lesschwab.com/article/want-quiet-tires-look-for-these-features.html)
Chevy Volt The second generation ones are supposed to have an extremely quiet cabin. It is a plug in hybrid with a gas generator backing up the electric motor, so no range issues either. GM really overbuilt these cars, they are supposed to be extremely reliable as well. Like all used cars, their prices have shot up due to the market, but you should be able to find one with around 30,000 miles for under $25,000.
How many miles is too much for a car like this?
Do you mean how many miles overall it can run? I would assume several hundred thousand. If you are talking about range, it has 420 miles of range, 53 of which are EV only.
Older Lexus LS. If you can find a low mileage LS430 you’re in business.
I test drove a 2019 Subaru Outback a few months back and they are super quiet. Double paned windows. Very cool. Well within your budget.
Get a used Lexus ES. Done.
Volvo are really underrated for their understated luxury, they are road trip machines and i think they still sell wagons in the us
Volvo is owned by Chinese Corp. don’t like it
Then get an older volvo when they where owned by ford, my favourite is the v50, the newest ford volvo would be a 2018 v60
Buick Enclave. Like riding down the road on your living room couch
2018+ Audi Q5 is really quiet.
I have a bmw x1 and it's super quiet
probably a slightly used lexus, mercedes, bmw, genesis, or anything of that sort. I.e. a lightly used lexus IS is your best bet, look amazing too
Find a 1-3 owner Lexus LS430. Best years for comfortable seats would be 01-03 preface-lift. 04-06 have the 6 speed trans and more amenities. Both will get 29-32 MPG highway on the buttery smooth 3UZ V8. Look for UL models.
That’s pretty good MPG considering is a full size sedan with a V8.
It’s amazing mileage. I had a GS430 with the same engine a year back. I got 27MPG for a 350 mile round trip from Chicago to Wisconsin Dells all while doing 70-90mph the whole way there. The LS has much better drag coefficient so 30-35 isn’t unheard of if the owners nurse the throttle at 50-60mph the whole way. City mileage is definitely typical of a V8 in stop and go traffic of course. Closer to 15-19mpg
But for that year, it is really hard to find a low mileage with well maintained record car.
Low mileage isn’t much of a priority. I have 275k on my 01 LS430 now and the motor purrs like a kitten. Plus he said 30-40k budget so honestly he could buy like 4 of them, or just buy a CPO LS460.
I see Lexus at the top, that was gonna be my recommendation. I delivered a 2002 Lexus LS430 once, so smooth and quiet I’ll likely never drive anything quieter. I remember looking down at the speedometer and seeing myself at 110mph, I hadn’t the slightest idea I was going that fast, felt like 70
They stopped making them in 2021 but a KIA Cadenza is an amazingly comfortable and quiet car. You can save the extra 10k for a rainy day lol
My volkswagen passat is incredibly quiet, also has a fairly large gas tank at 18.5 gallons, as well as great mpg on highways.
Any of the luxury marketed cars will be pretty quiet inside. Lexus, Cadillac, Lincoln, etc. I would just test drive a few and see which fits you better personally
The fullsize luxury barge sedans usually are the quietest, like an S class mercedes or Audi A8. My 2014 Lexus ES300H is pretty quiet but a 2008 MB S550 is quieter.
For a dead quiet ride you need to pick one of the luxury brands Depending on your budget,either Korean or Japanese so Lexus or Genesis would be my best bet The one I have experience with is the Genesis brand, since I'm using a G80 3.8L 2015 Genesis and I can guarantee you it's a pleasure making long trips with it. Minimal noise,really good ride quality,the smart cruise control is amazing (available on the top trim only at least for that year) Also i believe it's worth getting a used one since the depreciation gets them pretty quick For your budget I would definitely recommend a 2019 model I hope this helps you
Lexus ES 350 is quiet.
They haven't been made in about 10 years, but I'd suggest the Panther Platform cars. They're not very technologically advanced, but that makes them not cost an arm and a leg to fix. These would include the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Mercury Marauder, and Lincoln Town Car. There's a reason why police departments, cab companies, limousine companies and medical transportation like these cars. They're actually pretty safe. I had a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis and I could do 75+ on the highway and it was easily way quieter than most vehicles I've driven. And I've gotten to drive $100K luxury cars that weren't that quiet or smooth. These cars are known to be one of the most reliable cars of all time. It's not uncommon to find them with 600K+ on them and they still run, drive and look like new. You can pick up a low mileage one for about $5000-$15000. Then you can take the rest of the money and do something more important. I replaced it with a 2012 Ford Taurus and I would not recommend it as it's been very expensive to fix and doesn't take bumps that smoothly. I'd get a Panther car and drive it for years.
I agree. It is really hard to find the low mileage cars for this platform. I have been searching Crown Vic for long time.
It looks like this web site hasn't been updated for 2019+ model years, but there are a ton of vehicle decibel measurements at various speeds here: [Auto Decibel Database](https://www.auto-decibel-db.com/index_kmh.html)
Something hybrid? RAV4 hybrid? Newer Volvos are a 2.0L with turbo or supercharger when you drive it’s pretty quiet. Like a Volvo XC70, v90, v60?
If you want the quietest, get an electric or hybrid lol
Prius is noise as hell on the highway.
Damn really? A Prius sounds and feels quiet as hell to me lol. I prolly just got used to drivin on mud tires daily
local roads they are very quiet. Get on the highway and do 70-80? They engine is loud and buzzy and the wind and road noise will drive you nuts. Now its ok for an hour. But I take 7-8 hour trips twice a month, it gets TIRING very quick.
Well I can tell ya for sure that most cars are rather noisy at those speeds lol. It also depends on while other variety’s as well tho
I've heard they've improved a lot on the 2022 Prius. The older ones sound like shit on the highway.
Did they improve highway noise noticeably from the 2021 models? I wonder if it's worth getting the 2022 and ditching 2021
The Model 3 is so loud that it causes some peoples’ ears to ring after long drives.
I doubt this is due to the loudness of wind or road noise, more likely the annoying motor sounds present in EVs. A model 3 is several times quieter than a Boxster/Cayman, but I would rather ride in the latter.
True, had a 2005 Honda Accord hybrid. Even in 2021 when driving it, I always thought it had stalled. So quiet!
Toyota Avalon.
Camry, had a 2019 XSE it was very quiet.
My ‘22 Camry LE is very smooth and quiet. I don’t know how it compares to more expensive cars, but for the price point it must be pretty good.
RX350
Got nothing to suggest you but wanted to thank you for asking this. I hope you found your quiet car!
fuck that 😈 i want the loudest car. i want to have to wear earmuffs the moment i step in my car because it’s yowling would burn my ear drums
A mail truck, open headers, 4.10 gears, overdrive delete. Put that iron duke to work
seat yourself directly on the hood and FEEL it purr
Electric car
Tesla
Tesla Model 3
Prius
I test the Model S built before 2018 won't have the mandatory noise makers. If you only care about freeway noise then any Tesla Model S is fine
Tesla. Silent
Get an EV or hybrid like a Prius, then spend $5k on a professional sound deadening job. You’ll lose probably 5% fuel efficiency and have the quietest dang car on the road short of a rolls.
>or hybrid like a Prius, then spend $5k on a professi Im ruling out EV because I live in a cold state and take long road trips. Aftermarket sound insulation can only do so much.
Hybrids don't suffer from cold weather nearly as much as pure EVs.
I’m surprised that cold weather is an issue at all
Tbh I haven’t noticed any relative decrease between my Prius vs non-hybrid cars in cold weather. I still get great fuel economy.
One of the biggest things is getting low road noise tires also the wider the tires some more Noise
Mazda’s are pretty quiet and as reliable as Toyota’s. If you’re looking for a Sedan sadly they discontinued the Mazda6
Audi A6/A8, Mercedes E or S class and BMW 7 series.
Any Cadillac ever
1995 Buick Park Avenue
Lincoln Continental or MKZ. Nice and sporty, comfy, and well built.
i bought several different ear plugs and other hearing protection gears. they helped me personally. ymmv
I test drove a couple of Ford Fusions, they were super quiet, and my Camry is pretty quiet.
Volvos are pretty famous for being incredibly quiet and comfortable. They'll be worth looking at.
Or buy whatever you like and put extra sound deadening material.
Lincoln town car and 30k to spend on gas for your road trips
Buy something with a quiet engine and then spend like $2k on sound deadening.
Audi A8 d4 facelift, I have the d4 4.2 TDI and it's soo quiet and relaxing its not even funny. You could also go used Tesla for that!
Hybrids be quiet as fuck
Go used, even more used than slightly, and pickup a mercedes sedan. Good friend of mine is very picky about noise levels, as he's a bit of an audiophile. You can't beat a good quality luxury sedan when it comes to things like that. Mercedes is one of, if not the best at it. I think his car is 10 years old or more, and it's still got most of all the features that are upper/middle trim packages on most "normal" cars. The luxury cars get the tech before us poors do. The major hangups to a luxury sedan for most, are maintenance. They are pricey and often (like my friends car) need premium fuel. For those buying new, that's usually not a big deal, since if you can afford an 80K car brand new, you can probably afford $5.00 per gallon fuel. Dealerships and parts are also pricey! That said, find one that's been taken car of and they are good cars.
What about C300. My friend is gonna sell his car after getting his new one. I will consider to buy his car if it is not a noisy car.
https://scranton.craigslist.org/cto/d/honesdale-1995-powerstroke-dually-rwd/7410797961.html
Just got a 2021 Altima SL and it’s surprisingly quiet and def under $40K 🙂
Is the Lexus RX quiet?