9 Cars With The Worst Cabin Noise And 9 That Are Impressively Quiet
Cabin noise can turn even the shortest drive into a test of patience, or a surprisingly peaceful retreat.
At a dealership test-drive event, one attendee stepped out of a luxury SUV raving about its whisper-quiet ride, only to hop into a rival model and emerge moments later looking like they’d sat inside a jet engine.
Some cars serenade with silence, others assault with rattles, wind whooshes, and tire growls. It’s a game of decibels, and not every ride comes out sounding like a symphony.
1. Jeep Wrangler
Riding in a Wrangler is basically like traveling with your head sticking out the window – while wearing a helicopter headset.
The boxy shape and removable top create a wind tunnel effect that would make meteorologists jealous.
The rugged off-roader prioritizes adventure over acoustics, with road noise slapping against those flat body panels like waves on a shore.
Conversations become shouting matches above 50 mph. Owners joke that Wrangler radio volume settings start at 11 for a reason!
2. Toyota Yaris
Buzzing like an angry beehive on wheels, the Yaris transforms highway driving into an unintentional hearing test.
Budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean ear-unfriendly, but Toyota apparently missed that memo.
Thin door seals and minimal insulation let in every nuance of road texture – from smooth asphalt whispers to pothole percussion. The tiny engine works overtime at highway speeds, screaming for mercy when pushed.
Small car enthusiasts accept the compromise, but first-time passengers often ask, “Is it supposed to sound like that?”
3. Nissan Versa
Budget-conscious buyers beware – the Versa’s price tag comes with an acoustic penalty.
Wind whistles through door seals like they’re intentional instrument holes, creating an unwanted symphony at highway speeds.
The continuously variable transmission drones on like that relative who won’t stop talking about cryptocurrency.
Road noise filters through the floor as if the carpet were made of acoustic amplifiers.
Cranking up the stereo helps, but then you’re just adding more noise to fight noise – like putting out a fire with gasoline.
4. Mitsubishi Mirage
Automotive journalists have compared the Mirage’s cabin noise to sitting inside a blender.
The three-cylinder engine buzzes with all the refinement of a chainsaw orchestra, especially when merging onto highways.
Skimpy sound insulation means you’ll hear every raindrop, pebble, and passing truck with startling clarity. The lightweight body panels seem to amplify rather than block outside disturbances.
Long-distance driving requires either noise-canceling headphones or the ability to read lips. At least you’ll never doze off behind the wheel!
5. Honda Fit
Surprisingly spacious yet unsurprisingly loud, the Fit packs big noise into its small package. The otherwise brilliant little hatchback transforms highway drives into shouting matches worthy of a family holiday dinner.
Tire roar dominates the soundscape, with every pavement change announcing itself like a town crier.
The high-revving engine, while eager and efficient, sings at a volume that would make karaoke enthusiasts jealous.
Honda fans defend the racket as “character,” but your eardrums might disagree after a two-hour road trip.
6. Subaru Crosstrek
Adventure-ready but acoustically challenged, the Crosstrek suffers from Subaru’s notorious wind and road noise issues.
Those rugged all-terrain tires that look so cool in Instagram photos? They’re basically megaphones for pavement texture.
The boxer engine adds its own distinctive rumble to the mix, creating a three-part harmony of wind, tires, and mechanical chorus. Conversations require slightly raised voices even at moderate speeds.
Owners typically solve this with aftermarket sound deadening or cranking up their Spotify playlists to drown out the drone.
7. Chevrolet Spark
Microscopic in size and sound insulation, the Spark turns highway driving into an acoustic endurance test.
Wind noise whips around the A-pillars with the subtlety of a tornado, while the tiny wheels transmit every road imperfection directly to your eardrums.
The diminutive engine works heroically at highway speeds, buzzing away like an overworked sewing machine.
Phone calls on Bluetooth? Good luck explaining to callers that you’re not actually inside a washing machine.
City dwellers might not mind, but anyone contemplating a road trip should pack earplugs alongside their luggage.
8. Kia Rio
Budget-friendly but aurally punishing, the Rio lets you hear every penny you saved on purchase price.
Road noise crashes through the cabin like waves on rocks, especially on concrete highways with expansion joints.
The otherwise peppy engine transforms into a stressed-out wheezer at highway speeds. Wind noise joins the chorus above 65 mph, creating a trifecta of acoustic discomfort.
Kia has improved things in recent generations, but older models might as well have megaphones installed in the wheel wells broadcasting road texture directly to passengers.
9. Ford EcoSport
Ford’s smallest SUV makes a surprisingly large racket. The upright windshield catches wind like a sail, creating a constant whooshing soundtrack above 50 mph that would make storm chasers feel right at home.
Tire roar dominates the lower frequencies, while the three-cylinder engine contributes a buzzy top note when accelerating.
The side-hinged rear door rattles over bumps like it’s auditioning for a percussion section.
Owners learn to crank up the stereo or develop a newfound appreciation for shouting as a communication method.
10. Lexus LS
Stepping into a Lexus LS feels like entering a sound-proofed recording studio.
Engineers obsessed over acoustic perfection, using laminated glass and sound-absorbing materials that would make recording studios jealous.
The vault-like doors close with a whisper instead of a clunk. Even the climate control system operates with the stealth of a library mouse, delivering air without the whooshing drama of lesser vehicles.
At highway speeds, conversations can happen at whisper level – perfect for plotting world domination or discussing your in-laws without the kids overhearing.
11. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Silence comes with a three-pointed star in the S-Class.
Mercedes engineers apparently borrowed technology from anechoic chambers, creating a cocoon so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat (or your wallet weeping from the purchase price).
Double-paned windows and microphone-based noise-cancellation technology actively combat unwanted sounds. The engine purrs so discreetly you’ll check the tachometer to confirm it’s running.
Road noise? What road noise? The S-Class floats over pavement imperfections like they’re theoretical concepts rather than physical realities.
12. BMW 7 Series
German engineering shines in the whisper-quiet 7 Series cabin.
BMW’s flagship sedan employs acoustic glass so effective it could probably withstand a rock concert happening inches away without letting a note disturb your peaceful drive.
The suspension swallows road imperfections before they can transmit noise into the cabin.
Engine sounds are carefully curated – present enough to remind you of the power underfoot but distant like a respectful butler.
Even the tire compounds were selected specifically for their noise characteristics, proving BMW’s obsession with acoustic excellence.
13. Audi A8
Audi’s acoustic wizardry in the A8 borders on supernatural. Conversations happen at whisper level even while cruising at autobahn speeds, thanks to double-glazed windows and obsessive attention to eliminating noise pathways.
Active noise cancellation works like expensive headphones, generating opposite sound waves to neutralize unwanted frequencies.
The engine compartment features more sound insulation than some recording studios.
Even the climate control vents were designed to minimize air turbulence sounds. Audi engineers probably dream in decibel measurements and frequency patterns.
14. Tesla Model S
Without a combustion engine’s mechanical orchestra, the Model S starts with a silence advantage.
Tesla capitalized on this by creating a cabin so quiet you might check if your hearing still works – except for that occasional electric motor whine that sounds like a spaceship preparing for warp speed.
Wind noise gets thoroughly defeated by careful aerodynamics that would make NASA engineers nod approvingly. Road noise? Minimal, thanks to acoustic glass and strategic sound deadening.
The silence makes the premium sound system shine like a concert hall performance without the coughing audience members.
15. Genesis G90
Korea’s luxury flagship snuck into the silence competition and dominated without European-level pricing.
The G90’s cabin employs acoustic laminated glass in all windows – not just the front ones like some penny-pinching competitors.
Sound-absorbing materials fill every cavity, while the chassis features special bushings that isolate road vibrations before they become audible disturbances.
The result? Monastic tranquility that makes meditation apps unnecessary.
Even the climate control system whispers rather than blows, proving Genesis engineers understood the assignment perfectly.
16. Cadillac CT6
American luxury finds its voice in whispers with the CT6. Cadillac packed this sedan with enough sound-deadening material to silence a rock concert, creating a rolling sanctuary from the chaos outside.
Active noise cancellation technology works like studio headphones, identifying and neutralizing unwanted frequencies before they reach your ears.
The Panaray sound system doesn’t have to compete with road noise, allowing it to deliver concert-hall quality.
Even the HVAC system received acoustic treatment, eliminating the whooshing sounds that plague lesser vehicles.
17. Lincoln Continental
Old-school American luxury gets a modern acoustic makeover in the Continental.
Lincoln engineers apparently took inspiration from recording studios, creating a cabin where even whispers remain crystal clear across the spacious interior.
Active noise control technology digitally counteracts unwanted sounds, while laminated glass in all windows forms an effective barrier against wind noise.
The specially designed tires minimize road roar without compromising grip.
Even at highway speeds, the cabin remains conversation-friendly – perfect for important business discussions or gossiping about the neighbors without shouting.
18. Volvo S90
Swedish minimalism extends to noise levels in the serene S90 cabin. Volvo’s obsession with safety apparently includes protecting your eardrums from assault by unwanted decibels.
The uniquely designed suspension isolates road texture before it can become audible disturbance.
Engine noise stays politely outside the cabin, making only a distant, refined presence known under hard acceleration.
Wind noise? Practically nonexistent thanks to careful aerodynamic design and extensive sealing. The S90 proves that true luxury isn’t about being loud – it’s about creating space for quiet contemplation.