Wind, tire and road noise wear on passengers over a long highway drive, and a quiet cabin is one of the more practical comforts a vehicle can offer. The entries below rely on decibel readings taken at 70 mph by Edmunds and Car and Driver, running from the quietest to the merely quiet. Here are ten SUVs and pickups worth a closer listen.
1. Audi Q8: Audi’s Big Coupe-Style SUV Wins Quiet
Edmunds measured the Audi Q8 at 56.2 dB at 70 mph, calling it the quietest SUV in its 2026 test roundup. The magazine’s method holds the speed at 70 mph and places the microphone as close to the same point in each vehicle as possible, which keeps the readings comparable.
A reading in the mid-50s is the lowest in this gallery, and the gap from the next entry is more than two decibels. Shoppers who log many highway miles can use the figure as a tiebreaker, though a test drive on a rough road remains the surest way to judge noise.
2. BMW X7: Seven-Seat Luxury With a Hushed Cabin
Edmunds recorded 58.5 dB in the BMW X7 at a 70 mph cruise, placing it second on the list behind the Audi Q8. The X7 also appears in the maintenance gallery, which shows how the same large luxury SUV can rank well on one measure and poorly on another.
Quietness at speed matters most to families who take long trips with a full load of passengers in the third row. Buyers should weigh that comfort against the higher upkeep estimates published elsewhere, since a serene cabin does not lower a repair bill.
3. BMW iX: Electric SUV Trades Engine Hum for Calm
The electric BMW iX measured 59.1 dB at 70 mph in Edmunds testing, close behind the gas-powered X7. Without an engine, an electric SUV removes one source of cabin noise, so wind and tire sound account for most of what passengers hear at highway speed.
The result suggests that an electric drivetrain is helpful but does not guarantee the quietest ride, since the iX still trails two gasoline models in the same test. Shoppers comparing electric and conventional SUVs should look at measured decibels rather than assume the powertrain decides the outcome.
4. Mercedes-Benz GLS: German Three-Row Holds Its Volume Down
Edmunds measured the Mercedes-Benz GLS at 59.4 dB at 70 mph, a reading only 0.3 dB above the electric BMW iX. Together with the Q8, X7 and iX, the GLS gives luxury brands the first four places among the entries in this gallery.
The pattern points toward extra insulation, thicker glass and careful tuning in premium models, although the source lists only the numbers. Buyers who want a similar level of quiet on a smaller budget can look ahead to the mainstream entries, where readings run a few decibels higher.
5. Kia Telluride: Hybrid Telluride Edges Its Cousin
The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige registered 63.8 dB at 70 mph in Edmunds testing, and the outlet noted that it is quieter at a 70-mph cruise than the Palisade Hybrid. It is the first mainstream entry here, sitting about four decibels above the GLS.
A gap of that size is audible but not dramatic, and the Telluride still belongs among the calmer family SUVs tested. Shoppers cross-shopping the two corporate cousins have a measured reason to give the Kia a slight edge, especially if highway commuting is the main use.
6. Ford F-150 PowerBoost: Hybrid Pickup Keeps Noise in Check
Car and Driver measured a 2021 F-150 Lariat PowerBoost 4×4 hybrid pickup at 64 dBA at 70 mph, according to a roundup of the outlet’s quietest vehicles. It is the only truck in this gallery, and the reading sits close to those of several family SUVs.
Pickups have a reputation for road and wind noise, so a 64 dBA result is a useful data point for truck buyers who also drive long distances. The test covers a specific 2021 configuration, and other cab styles, tires or model years could measure differently.
7. Hyundai Palisade: Palisade Hybrid Lands Just Behind
The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy measured 64.9 dB at 70 mph in Edmunds testing, about a decibel louder than the Telluride Hybrid tested in the same report. The two vehicles share a platform, and the small difference shows in the readings.
A one-decibel gap is unlikely to be decisive on its own, and buyers may prefer the Palisade for styling, features or price. Those who rank cabin quiet first can note that the measured advantage favors the Kia, and confirm the impression on a highway test drive.
8. Chevrolet Equinox EV: Compact Electric SUV Posts a Solid Number
A 65 dBA reading at 70 mph belongs to the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV 2LT AWD, as measured by Car and Driver, placing it among the quieter vehicles the magazine has tested. The Subaru Ascent Touring posts the same number.
For shoppers moving to electric power on a budget, the result shows that a lower-priced model can still keep the cabin calm at highway speed. Because the figure comes from a particular trim and tire setup, owners should not expect every Equinox EV to match it exactly.
9. Subaru Ascent: Three-Row Subaru Matches the Field
In Car and Driver testing, a Subaru Ascent Touring registered 65 dBA at 70 mph, a result that matches the Chevrolet Equinox EV. The test vehicle was a 2019 model, one of the older readings in this gallery, so the figure reflects the vehicle as it was built at that time.
The Ascent’s result suggests that a family-focused three-row SUV without a luxury badge can keep noise near the level of some electric models. Buyers considering a newer example should check whether later updates changed the insulation or tires before relying on the old measurement.
10. Mazda CX-5: Compact Crossover Makes the Quiet Cut
The only compact crossover on Car and Driver’s quietest list, a Mazda CX-5, measured 66 dBA at 70 mph. That is the loudest reading in this gallery, roughly ten decibels above the Audi Q8’s 56.2 dB, yet it still earned a place on the list.
Smaller crossovers commonly give up some refinement to keep price and size down, so a place on a quietest-vehicles list is a point in the CX-5’s favor. The test involved a 2020 model, and buyers should treat the number as a benchmark instead of a promise for current cars.
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