Low cabin noise recommendations

[zesty_bum]

Good evening,

I hope you're all doing well.

It doesn't happen very often, but I'm looking for my next car, and my main requirement is low cabin noise between 40-70 mph. I'm usually a Honda buyer, but I'm finding their bigger cars don't do well with cabin noise.

In terms of requirements/nice-to-haves:
- max budget: 15k.
- max mileage: 30k.
- age: 1-3 years old is fine.
- something that is known for being reliable / long warranty.
- I'm sort of looking towards KIA, Hyundai, Mazda but open to others too. Not had a good experience with british/french cars so I'd like to avoid them (unless you really think I'm missing out)!
- I'm avoiding Diesel, but open to Petrol, Hybrid or EV.
- enough boot space for a pram and a few other bits and bobs.

Thanks in advance!

[Crumpet]

They’re all much of a muchness within their respective classes these days, in my experience at least. Tyre choice and wheel size is probably as much of a factor as anything and I always notice the difference between saloons and estates (and SUVs) - the saloon version of E classes being quieter.

Most of my experience is sat in the back of taxis and it’s always the Far Eastern cars - like Kia, Hyundai and Toyota - that have too much noise to have a conversation with the driver. Not sure which British cars you’re referring to as they’re usually very quiet, but everything other than Minis is out of the price range anyway. Skoda Octavias seem fine and would be my choice.

[Manatee]

Makes a change from people asked for recommendations for noisier exhausts.

I hate noisy cruisers too. So I probably shouldn't have bought a Subaru BRZ as far as that goes. It's a noisy car, and most of it seemed to be coming from the boot. When I stripped the trim out, there is basically no sound deadening in the boot.

I added Silent Coat deadening pads to the resonant areas - just tap around with your knuckle. If it doesn't sound dead, add a piece of Silent Coat.

The gold standard for the next step is to add closed cell foam to the whole area to keep outside noise out. I cheated by covering the underside of the deck board with it for now. I used Dodo Dead Ezy liner, 5mm.

This has got rid of about half the noise

I still have enough Silent Coat to do the doors and under the back seats if I ever get around to it.

The point is you can do something about it yourself if you can't find a suitable quiet car. I spent under £100 on materials.

Edited by Manatee on Sunday 19th July 20:26

[paralla]

I added self adhesive sound deadening to the boot floor of my Mazda CX-60 PHEV, it made a surprising difference and was very easy to do.

Edited by paralla on Sunday 19th July 20:43

[Quattr04.]

A EV, probably a Tesla model 3.

Seriously, I had a Audi a4 before which was refined but the engine noise still creeps in, I can do a drive in a EV and feel much fresher than any ICE car, the 3 has a big boot for a pram bit you won’t get a 1-3 year old for that money, but the earlier cars are still decent

So I would start there, if it s not your thing, any saloon car but a larger engine so it s doing fewer RPM

As said above, you can always sound proof any car to some degree

[ZX10R NIN]

zesty_bum said:

Good evening,

I hope you're all doing well.

It doesn't happen very often, but I'm looking for my next car, and my main requirement is low cabin noise between 40-70 mph. I'm usually a Honda buyer, but I'm finding their bigger cars don't do well with cabin noise.

In terms of requirements/nice-to-haves:
- max budget: 15k.
- max mileage: 30k.
- age: 1-3 years old is fine.
- something that is known for being reliable / long warranty.
- I'm sort of looking towards KIA, Hyundai, Mazda but open to others too. Not had a good experience with british/french cars so I'd like to avoid them (unless you really think I'm missing out)!
- I'm avoiding Diesel, but open to Petrol, Hybrid or EV.
- enough boot space for a pram and a few other bits and bobs.

Thanks in advance!

Your budget is pointing you to an EV as most petrol/hybrids that fit your criteria will be small town cars that don't have the best sound deadening.

Megane E Tech Techno:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605272...

e C4 X:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607083...

Mokka Ultimate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607033...

The Megane is the one I'd be having a good look at.

[zesty_bum]

@Manatee those loud car days are long gone - honestly I should have been buying Bitcoin instead of tuning up those Peugeots and Hondas. Nowadays I want to feel like I’m driving a pillow.

I currently have 15 inch wheels on my car. What sort of tyres would reduce the noise, but be safe for all-year round driving? And should I consider smaller or larger wheels?

The Silent Coat is interesting, I will look into this. Is there some sort of guide to help me get started? I literally just insulated my loft - I never would have thought the next thing I may insulate would be my car!

@Paralla that looks impressive! Any chance you took before/after dB measurements? I will look into this too - do you mind sharing what the material is called and where you bought it from? Thank you!

@ZX10R NIN the Mokka is one I hadn’t thought of - I may have to test drive one - thank you!

Thank you for all the helpful responses - it really goes some way to helping me and my little family to have more comfortable journeys :-)

I'm now considering the following:

• Skoda Octavia.
• Vauxhall Mokka.
• Mazda CX-5.
• Larger engine cars (Saloons etc).
• I would have considered an older Tesla, but every time I look at them I see Elon Musk’s creepy face.

If I could up my budget to around 20k is there anything else you would recommend? I guess I can't be too picky about the age of the car, so I could consider a 2020 car.

[ZX10R NIN]

Putting the sound deadening inside the doors & boot floor make the biggest difference to NVH in modern cars.

If it's a hathback/SUV then adding some to the hatch helps.

[Nicetobenice]

Small wheels with the highest profile tyres will make a difference.

[S100HP]

Funny enough I've just been through a similar process and ended up on a C5 aircross. However, there are numerous cars available now with noise cancelling built in. Just make sure the one you get has it as it was often an option.

[paralla]

The brand I used was Kilmat but they are all pretty much the same. You peel off the backing paper, stick it on then roll with the supplied roller to make sure it making good contact. It’s easier to do when it’s warm rather than cold.

https://amzn.eu/d/0cVg9I7e

[chip*]

For 20k, the Lexus ES300H will meet your low cabin noise criteria, plus it's far more luxurious than all the above mentioned cars. Usual 10 years warranty if you service at the dealer + 15 years warranty on the hybrid battery. Something like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607094...

I maybe bias but I run the previous model (GS300h) as my daily which I think is the better car (rear wheel drive, front double wishbone), it just cruise along silently, everything in the car just works, no creaks or noise for a 14 years old car!

[Fiedka]

From my experience Japanese (except Lexus) cars do not do well in that area. One of the reasons that number of years ago I crossed Subaru Levorg from my shopping list.
Avensis is an exception to this and I found the last model quite well insulated.

I currently own a C7 A6 with double glazing and small wheel combo. That thing is super quiet but will be too old for you to consider. I am not sure how the newer versions stack up in that regard.
Had a go in current C class as well and the tyre noise was much worse.

It’s one of those things younreallt need to test drive on a motorway. It is rarely engine noise these days - tire roar is the problem as wheels are big, insulation in wheel wells used is cheaper on cars than it used to be - just plastic lining these days. My A6 has almost cloth like „fabric” that collects mud like crazy but is there to get rid of the noise.

[ilikejam]

I had a 1.4 petrol Audi A4 on a cheap lease when it got a refresh in 2016 and it was very quiet. Remember from the marketing bumph that it seemed to be a thing that they were specifically targeting at that time.

Hard to judge given the time passed, but I recently got a 2022 era Model 3 and I reckon the Audi was quieter on a motorway run with the Tesla maybe quieter at lower speeds, but not too much in it.

[Skodillac]

zesty_bum said:

If I could up my budget to around 20k is there anything else you would recommend? I guess I can't be too picky about the age of the car, so I could consider a 2020 car.

£20k will get you a 2022/3ish VW ID4 or ID5. I have an ID 5 and it's the quietest thing I've ever driven. Especially with the new Kumho Ecsta PS1 tyres (A rated for wet grip and economy, 71db) which I put on it this week, replacing 4 original and 20k mile-worn Pirellis and a Hankook odd one.

I paid £20k on the nose for mine 3 months ago, a 72 reg, October 2022 car, from a main dealer on Approved Used. 19k on the clock. Really big boot, plenty of room inside and reasonably compact on the outside. I'm delighted with it. Quiet as a quiet thing.

[irc]

My 2018 Superb was quieter than my 2014 Octavia. Both of 17" wheels and Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons.

The factory tyres on the Octavia were dreadful. Switching to 4 Seasons halved cabin noise.

[Johnspex]

I went for a ride in my nephew’s Polestar the other day. Obviously pretty well silent “engine-wise” but the tyres made a hell of a noise.
When I walk the dog round the lanes I can always hear the electric cars coming because of tyre roar.

[Frankychops]

chip* said:

For 20k, the Lexus ES300H will meet your low cabin noise criteria, plus it's far more luxurious than all the above mentioned cars. Usual 10 years warranty if you service at the dealer + 15 years warranty on the hybrid battery. Something like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607094...

I maybe bias but I run the previous model (GS300h) as my daily which I think is the better car (rear wheel drive, front double wishbone), it just cruise along silently, everything in the car just works, no creaks or noise for a 14 years old car!

That’s got to be the answer!

[Oberheim]

chip* said:

For 20k, the Lexus ES300H will meet your low cabin noise criteria, plus it's far more luxurious than all the above mentioned cars. Usual 10 years warranty if you service at the dealer + 15 years warranty on the hybrid battery. Something like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607094...

I maybe bias but I run the previous model (GS300h) as my daily which I think is the better car (rear wheel drive, front double wishbone), it just cruise along silently, everything in the car just works, no creaks or noise for a 14 years old car!

This car, with 16” wheels and the resulting higher profile tyres (something like Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2) is the answer.

[Wills2]

For £30k I'd be looking at a A8/S class or 7 series on the smaller wheels.