Do you want a comfy and luxurious ride? Then you need a quiet SUV. A quiet cabin lets you enjoy your music, podcasts, and phone calls without annoying noise. 

It also reduces stress, fatigue, and distraction on the road. 

How do you get the quietest SUV? 

According to Consumer Reports, the quietest compact SUV is Mazda CX-5

Look for noise cancellation, acoustic glass, suspension upgrades, sound-resistant mats, and triple door seals. 

These features block unwanted noise from the engine, wind, road noise, and tire noise.

In this article, we’ll show you the benefits of a quiet ride, the challenges of finding one, and the quietest SUVs in different categories.

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The Benefits of a Quiet SUV

A quiet SUV positively impacts well-being and performance. Research from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, shows that noise exposure at 95 decibels for 15 minutes increases heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones. 

Quietest cabins, with noise levels around 65 decibels or lower, prevent these adverse effects while enhancing audio enjoyment and providing a tranquil atmosphere for passengers to converse or appreciate the silence.

Related Article: Perfect SUV with 3rd Row For Your Family

The Challenges of Finding a Quiet SUV

Identifying a quiet SUV can be challenging, as not all are designed with noise reduction in mind. 

Noise sources include wind, road, tire, engine, and vibrations from uneven surfaces or engine components. 

To assess an SUV’s noise level, take test drives on various roads and speeds and measure the cabin noise with a decibel meter app or device. 

Related Article: Guide To SUV Camping | Roaming The Great Outdoors

Comparing different models and brands will help determine the quietest cabins.

Noise Reduction Technology	Description
Advanced sound-deadening	The use of materials such as sound-absorbing foam and rubber to reduce noise inside the vehicle.
Electric powertrain	A type of powertrain that uses electric motors instead of gasoline or diesel engines. Electric motors are much quieter than gasoline or diesel engines, which can help to reduce noise inside the vehicle.
Triple-sealed doors	Doors that have three layers of seals around the door frame, which helps to reduce noise from entering the vehicle.
Acoustic laminated glass	A type of glass that has a layer of sound-absorbing material sandwiched between two layers of glass. This helps to reduce noise from entering the vehicle through the windows.
Active noise cancellation	A system that uses microphones to listen to the noise inside the vehicle and then creates a sound wave that cancels out the noise. This helps to create a quieter environment inside the vehicle.
Well insulated cabin	A vehicle that has been built with materials that help to keep noise out. This can include materials such as sound-absorbing foam and rubber, as well as thicker glass and metal.

The Quietest SUVs in Different Categories

Many types of SUVs are on the market, ranging from compact to full-sized, affordable to luxury, and gas-powered to electric. 

Each category has advantages and disadvantages, but some stand out for their quietest cabin. Based on expert reviews and ratings, here are some of the quietest SUVs in different categories.

SUV Noise Level and Sound Rating

Category	SUV	Noise Level (dB)	Sound Rating (/10)
Compact	Mazda CX-5	64.8	8.0
Compact	Toyota RAV4 Prime	65.1	7.8
Compact	Chevrolet Equinox	66.0	7.5
Mid-sized	Volvo XC90	64.0	8.2
Mid-sized	Audi Q7	64.0	8.3
Mid-sized	Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class	64.0	8.5
Full-sized	Cadillac Escalade	63.0	8.6
Full-sized	Hyundai Palisade	63.5	8.4
Full-sized	Ford Explorer	64.0	8.1
Luxury	Mercedes-Benz GLS	63.0	8.7
Luxury	BMW X5	63.0	8.4
Luxury	Porsche Cayenne	63.5	N/A
Electric	Tesla Model X	56.66	8.2
Electric	Audi e-tron	63.0	7.9
Electric	Ford Mustang Mach-E	67-68	N/A

For recommendations on the best tires for comfort and noise that will make your SUV ultra-quiet, be sure to check out my in-depth guide on choosing the quietest, smoothest tires based on top customer favorites.

The Quietest Compact SUVs

A compact SUV offers a balance of space, performance, fuel efficiency, and affordability, but achieving quietness can be challenging due to limited space and budget. 

Some compact SUVs excel in quietness through innovative technologies and designs:

• Mazda CX-5: Refined interior, high-quality materials, smooth ride, responsive steering, and muted engine with cylinder deactivation for noise and fuel reduction.
• Toyota RAV4 Prime: Plug-in hybrid powertrain for up to 42 miles of electric mode, eliminating engine noise and vibration; acoustic windshield and front side windows for wind noise reduction.
• Chevrolet Equinox: Sound insulation throughout the cabin, including under the hood, doors, and headliner; active noise cancellation system using sound waves through speakers to counteract unwanted noises.

For those specifically interested in compact SUVs that offer a peaceful ride, check out our detailed guide on the Quietest Compact SUVs, where we delve into the best five options available.

The Quietest Mid-Sized SUVs

A mid-size SUV offers more cargo space, power, and luxury than a compact SUV or subcompact SUVs making noise reduction easier due to ample interior space and resources. 

Some mid-sized SUVs with exceptional cabin quietness include:

• Volvo XC90: Elegant interior with upscale materials, optional hybrid powertrain for up to 18 miles of electric mode, and adaptive air suspension that adjusts to road conditions.
• Audi Q7: Acoustic glass windshield, front side windows, active noise cancellation technology using microphones, and ventilated front seats for added comfort and luxury.
• Mercedes-Benz GLE: Luxury car with a luxurious cabin, leather upholstery, smooth suspension, and a powerful engine; mild-hybrid system for enhanced fuel efficiency and smoothness; 8.5/10 interior score by U.S. News & World Report.

In our recent exploration of the top 5 quietest midsize SUVs, we found some exceptional models that stand out in quietness.

These quiet mid-size SUVs combine comfort, style, and technology to provide an exceptional driving experience.

The Quietest Full-Sized SUVs

A full-size SUV offers greater comfort, luxury, style, technology, and quietness than a mid-sized SUV, with spaciousness, power, and prestige being key attractions. 

Some of the quietest full-sized SUVs, based on expert reviews and ratings, include:

• Cadillac Escalade: Bose Active Noise Cancellation, triple-sealed doors for wind noise reduction, and adaptive air suspension for a smoother ride.
• Hyundai Palisade: Sound-deadening materials throughout the cabin, laminated glass for the windshield and front windows, and an extremely quiet cabin mode that mutes rear speakers for easy conversation.
• Ford Explorer: Active noise control technology, acoustic glass windows, a refined interior with soft-touch materials, and a spacious cabin.

These full-sized SUVs combine advanced noise reduction features with comfort, luxury, and technology to deliver an exceptional driving experience.

Full-size SUVs offer the best worlds for those prioritizing space and serenity.

The Cadillac Escalade is among the top contenders for its advanced noise-reduction technologies.

If you’re interested in exploring more options in this category, don’t miss our detailed guide on the best full-size SUVs that are proven to offer a quiet and luxurious ride.

If you value a peaceful ride, our guide to the quietest SUVs will be of interest after understanding the differences between CUVs and SUVs.

The Quietest Luxury SUVs

A luxury SUV offers superior quality, style, technology, and performance compared to regular SUVs, often attracting buyers seeking status, exclusivity, and sophistication. 

Quietness is expected due to high-quality materials, smooth handling, and powerful performance. 

Some of the quietest luxury SUVs include:

• Mercedes-Benz GLS: Leather upholstery and heated seats for comfort and luxury, smooth handling to minimize body roll and vibration, and a refined, powerful engine.
• BMW X5: Sound-absorbing materials throughout the cabin, well-insulated interior, and an optional hybrid powertrain for up to 30 miles of electric mode.
• Porsche Cayenne: Leather upholstery and heated seats for added luxury, smooth handling that minimizes body roll and vibration, and a powerful, refined engine.

These luxury SUVs combine exceptional noise reduction features with top-tier quality, style, and technology for a truly luxurious driving experience.

McLaren SUV: Luxurious And Powerful Meets Practicality

The Quietest Electric SUVs

Electric SUVs offer environmental benefits, low maintenance costs, and impressive performance. 

As they run on electricity, they provide a quiet driving experience. Some of the quietest electric SUVs include:

• Tesla Model X: Instant torque and smooth acceleration, spacious interior with a panoramic windshield, falcon-wing door design, 17-inch touch screen, and a long-range battery with up to 360 miles per charge.
• Audi E-Tron: Instant torque and smooth acceleration, elegant design with a sleek profile and LED lights, luxurious interior with leather seats, a dual-screen infotainment system, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a long-range battery with up to 222 miles per charge.
• Ford Mustang Mach-E: Instant torque and smooth acceleration, futuristic design with a muscular stance, sloping roofline, and a pony badge, spacious interior with leather upholstery, a 15.5-inch touch screen, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a long-range battery with up to 305 miles per charge.

These electric SUVs combine advanced noise reduction features with innovative technology and impressive performance for an enjoyable, eco-friendly driving experience.

FAQ

Conclusion

This article discussed the benefits of quiet SUVs, the challenges of finding one, and the quietest SUVs across various categories. 

While features like active noise cancellation and acoustic glass contribute to a quieter ride, modern amenities like liftgate functionality add convenience to your SUV experience.

Learn more about liftgate SUVs in our comprehensive guide here.

A quiet SUV can enhance your driving experience by reducing stress, fatigue, and distractions while improving audio quality and creating a serene atmosphere for passengers. 

We hope this article has helped you find the best SUV for a peaceful ride.

However, you might consider the Honda Insight Hybrid if you want a smaller, more efficient car with low noise.

This car has a hybrid system that reduces engine noise and vibration and an active noise cancellation system that eliminates unwanted sounds from the road and the wind.

Its spacious interior, sleek design, and many features and technologies make it stand out.

You can read our detailed review here to learn more about the Honda Insight Hybrid.

Feel free to comment or contact us through our website if you have questions about quiet SUVs.