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Cars that are "smooth" and quiet

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Pandamonium

Golden Member
I've found that there's some headway into developing some kind of standard for noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) of a car, but it's pretty far from being ready. So anecdotally, I'm looking for some ideas. If I want a smooth (and by smooth I mean the exact opposite of a sport-tuned suspension), and quiet (no need to adjust radio volume between 0-75mph) semi-compact car, what should be on my short list?

As far as the "type" of car, I like things along the lines of a Toyota Matrix/Mazda 3 5-door. Cars like the Ford Kuga/Hyundai Tucson/Honda CR-V are also appealing. I'm having a hard time deciding whether I prefer easy maneuverability/reduced fuel costs vs knowing that I can tow a load in a pinch. This isn't something I'd be buying in the next few weeks, so for the sake of discussion, budget < $28k.
 
JulesMaximus said:
BWAHAHAHA!!! No way Jose.

GS350? Definitely. The IS is too "sport" oriented and as such suffers from road noise due in large part to the tires, especially on grooved concrete with expansion joints. On smooth blacktop it would be much better.
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He said he wanted something Mazda3 sized.
 
punjabiplaya said:
Maybe that new acura thingy based on the civic. How comfy/quiet is an RSX?
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I've driven it, not very on both counts. Does Acura even make the RSX anymore?

How about a used Lexus ES350? They are very quiet, comfortable and fairly luxurious. Probably a bit larger than the OP wants but they are really nice cars. We get them as loaners and I rather like them. Gas mileage isn't great though.
 
JulesMaximus said:
I've driven it, not very on both counts. Does Acura even make the RSX anymore?

How about a used Lexus ES350? They are very quiet, comfortable and fairly luxurious. Probably a bit larger than the OP wants but they are really nice cars. We get them as loaners and I rather like them. Gas mileage isn't great though.
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The ES is FWD. LOL.
 
RocksteadyDotNet said:
The ES is FWD. LOL.
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So is the Mazda 3, the Toyota Matrix, and all of the compact SUVs the OP mentioned along with nearly all the other suggestions. Hell, the only two cars mentioned so far in this thread that aren't FWD are the BMW and the Lexus IS250 the OP mentioned (both are AWD) and the GS350 I mentioned which is too expensive...and too big.

The Infiniti G35x might be another choice worth considering but somehow I doubt there are many of those available on the used market.

FWD is actually great in the snow if you get a car that is fairly evenly balanced F/R and equip it with proper snow tires. Hell, I'm just assuming the OP lives in an area where it snows since he asked for opinions on AWD versions of these two cars to begin with as there would be no reason to buy either of these unless you lived in the mountains or the snow belt.
 
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JulesMaximus said:
So is the Mazda 3, the Toyota Matrix, and all of the compact SUVs the OP mentioned along with nearly all the other suggestions. Hell, the only two cars mentioned so far in this thread that aren't FWD are the BMW and the Lexus IS250 the OP mentioned (both are AWD) and the GS350 I mentioned which is too expensive...and too big.

The Infiniti G35x might be another choice worth considering but somehow I doubt there are many of those available on the used market.

FWD is actually great in the snow if you get a car that is fairly well balanced F/R and equip it with proper snow tires.
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He want's a quality car though. That rules out FWD.
 
I'm not decided on the FWD vs AWD. I can handle NYC-climate snow in a Camry with all-weather tires, but there are definitely a handful of times that I wished I had AWD. I'm not sure what part of the country I'll be in in 2 years, so it's hard to say if it will even be important for me. All I know is that highway noise and bumpy roads really piss me off.

For the record I'm driving a 2002 Camry right now. It feels like a boat compared to what I remember my 1994 Camry felt like.
 
Pandamonium said:
I'm not decided on the FWD vs AWD. I can handle NYC-climate snow in a Camry with all-weather tires, but there are definitely a handful of times that I wished I had AWD. I'm not sure what part of the country I'll be in in 2 years, so it's hard to say if it will even be important for me. All I know is that highway noise and bumpy roads really piss me off.

For the record I'm driving a 2002 Camry right now. It feels like a boat compared to what I remember my 1994 Camry felt like.
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Get the BMW. If SAAB made a decent car I'd probably recommend that too because I grew up not far from you and that was my first car and they used to make great cars but globalization has killed great Swedish cars.
 
Ferrari F430.

Sure it has sporty suspension but you can put thicker tires on it, inflate to only 25 psi and put a pillow under your ass. Sure even a used one is out of your budget but you can just max out a few hundred credit cards or take out a second mortgage on a home (not necessarily yours). As for the quiet part you can use earplugs. Also great for when you get into a shootout with the fuzz for speeding, or taking out that mortgage on someone else's home, should you choose to do so.

This may sound ridiculous, but think of the e-cred loss if RockScissorsPaperHead were to get wind of you even considering wrong wheel drive. It would absolutely devastate you. This way at least he'll think you're cool, and that's all that matters, now isn't it?

Seriously I say Chevy Cruze, I test drove one and it's smooth and quiet. Has some great sound dampening. Good gas mileage (36 Hwy, unless you get the Eco model, 40mpg hwy). Fits your budget even new. FWD+stability control handle great in the snow, unlike that god forsaken abomination RWD.
 
quiet = luxury = Mercedes, Volvo, Cadillac, Lexus, Acura(?) etc

compact size != quiet :\

I would aim for a 2-3 year used luxury mid-sized sedan. Something like a Volvo S60, Lexus of some flavor, Acura TSX, etc.

I don't think an econobox like a Cruze, Focus, Mazda3, or a compact SUV like the CRV or Tuscan will get you what you're looking for (quiet, comfortable, smooth ride). They may be much better than they used to be, but they are not going to beat a real luxury brand.
 
Buick Verano....

http://www.buick.com/verano-luxury-sedan.html

It's a chevy Cruze with more sound deadening. The Cruze is already smooth and quiet...the Buick should be even more so with a less strained engine and additional sound deadening material. It is also one of the more roomy cars in the class...unfortunately no hatch option...at least when it first comes out.
 
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