Cabin noise at highway speed shapes how tiring a long drive feels, and a sound meter settles the question better than a showroom impression. These SUVs and one pickup posted some of the lowest readings at a steady 70 mph in instrumented tests from Edmunds and Car and Driver. Here are ten that kept the racket down.
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1. Audi Q8: Quietest in the Test
The Audi Q8 sits at the top of the ranking after Edmunds measured 56.2 dB at 70 mph, the lowest figure among the SUVs in its 2026 testing. That reading is the benchmark for the rest of the list and places the big Audi ahead of far pricier rivals.
Buyers who log long highway miles get the most from a number like this, since steady wind and tire roar are what wear on passengers over hours. The caveat is that a single test run reflects one configuration, so tire choice can shift the result.
2. Bentley Bentayga: Luxury Hush at Speed
Edmunds recorded 58.1 dB in the cabin at 70 mph for the Bentley Bentayga, second only to the Audi in the same quietest-SUV ranking. That puts the Bentayga well inside the range where normal conversation needs no raised voices.
Owners shopping at this level are paying for isolation as much as speed, and the meter backs the claim. A figure of 58.1 dB also shows the gap to the top spot is only about two decibels. Anyone comparing luxury SUVs on refinement alone has a measured data point to work from.
3. BMW X7: Three Rows, Little Noise
The BMW X7 posted 58.5 dB at a 70-mph cruise in Edmunds testing, just behind the Bentayga. For a large three-row SUV, with a tall body and a lot of glass to manage, that is a strong result.
Families who carry passengers in the third row will notice that a quiet cabin makes talking across seats easier. Those weighing the X7 against the Audi can treat the differences among the leaders as small. Seat comfort and ride quality still deserve a test drive alongside the sound reading.
4. Mercedes-Benz GLS: Quiet Three-Row Benz
Edmunds measured 59.4 dB at 70 mph in the Mercedes-Benz GLS, a three-row SUV that rounds out the four Edmunds entries here. It trails the Audi by 3.2 dB, a difference most riders would hear only in a side-by-side drive.
The GLS suits buyers who want seven-passenger space without the drone common to tall vehicles on the interstate. As with the others, the reading comes from Edmunds equipment and not from a manufacturer claim. Shoppers should still confirm the result on the exact wheels and tires of the model they plan to buy.
5. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: Old Test, Still Hushed
Car and Driver’s meter read 62 dBA at 70 mph in the 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan. The outlet logs sound in A-weighted decibels, so the figure is not directly comparable with the plain dB numbers Edmunds publishes.
That distinction matters when ranking across outlets, and the age of the test matters too, since the Cullinan was measured in its 2019 model year. Even so, the reading fits the quiet-cabin reputation the brand builds its vehicles around. Readers should therefore compare it only against the other Car and Driver entries below.
6. Kia Telluride: Hybrid Beats Its Cousin
Edmunds put the 2027 Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige at 63.8 dB at 70 mph, quieter than its Hyundai cousin tested the same way. The results came from an instrumented comparison published on March 24, 2026.
Shoppers cross-shopping mainstream three-row SUVs can read this as a small edge for the Kia on the highway. The margin is about a decibel, so ride, seats and price may decide the matter more than noise. Hybrid models also let the engine shut off at times, which helps keep the cabin calm in town.
7. Ford F-150: The Pickup in the Mix
A 2021 F-150 Lariat PowerBoost 4×4 registered just 64 dBA at 70 mph in Car and Driver testing, a low reading for a full-size pickup. It is the only truck on the list and shows that a hybrid powertrain can help hush the cabin.
Truck owners who commute long distances on the highway benefit most, since the engine can loaf at cruise. The measurement covers one trim and model year, so other F-150 configurations may read differently. Prospective buyers should still weigh payload, towing and price before choosing the PowerBoost.
8. Hyundai Palisade: Palisade Close Behind
Edmunds measured the Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy at 64.9 dB at 70 mph, about one decibel louder than the Kia Telluride Hybrid in the same March 2026 test. The two share a platform, which makes the comparison a useful one.
Even as the second of the pair, the Hyundai logged a cabin level that sits comfortably among the quieter readings here. Buyers choosing between the siblings will likely decide on styling and features, since noise barely separates them. Both SUVs are built for long family trips, where a calm cabin counts for a lot.
9. Chevrolet Equinox EV: Electric but Not Silent
A 2024 Equinox EV 2LT AWD measured 65 dBA at 70 mph in Car and Driver testing. Electric power removes engine sound, but at highway speed wind and tire noise take over, and this Chevrolet shows the effect.
Shoppers expecting an EV to be the quietest option should note that it landed below several gasoline and hybrid models on this list. It still delivers a calm cabin for its price class. Tire selection and body design matter as much as the powertrain when it comes to highway sound.
10. Buick Encore GX: Small SUV, Calm Cabin
Car and Driver recorded 67 dBA at 70 mph in a 2020 Buick Encore GX, the highest reading on the list and still a hushed result for a small crossover. Buick has long marketed its models on quiet interiors.
Buyers on a tighter budget can take this as proof that low cabin noise is not limited to six-figure vehicles. The reading is also the oldest model year here after the Rolls-Royce, so newer competitors may have closed the gap. A compact, affordable crossover that reads this low gives value shoppers a reason to look.
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