Long drives can be a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, offering an opportunity to unwind and enjoy the open road. However, not all cars are designed with comfort and tranquility in mind, especially when it comes to maintaining a peaceful atmosphere during those extended hours behind the wheel.
While some cars excel at isolating their occupants from external noise, providing a quiet sanctuary, others seem to amplify every sound, vibration, and road imperfection, turning what should be a peaceful journey into a noisy, uncomfortable experience.
A truly peaceful car on a long drive focuses on minimizing noise from the engine, road, and wind. These vehicles are engineered with advanced soundproofing, luxurious interior materials, and smooth, well-tuned suspensions that glide over rough patches in the road.
Whether you’re cruising down the highway or navigating winding back roads, these cars provide a serene environment that allows for relaxation and conversation without the need to crank up the volume to drown out the noise.
On the other hand, some cars, often performance-oriented models or those designed with less emphasis on comfort, can buzz, rattle, or hum throughout your journey.
The constant drone of engine noise, the hum of the tires, and the vibrations from the road can become increasingly irritating on long trips, making it difficult to maintain focus or simply enjoy the ride.
These cars may be more fun on short, spirited drives, but when it comes to long distances, they can prove to be tiring and mentally draining.
In this article, we’ll explore five cars that provide a peaceful, quiet driving experience, ideal for long road trips, as well as five cars that are prone to buzzing and constant noise, making them less-than-ideal for long journeys.
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5 Cars That Are Peaceful on Long Drives
Lexus LS 500
The Lexus LS 500 is a luxury sedan that shines in providing a calm and comfortable environment, especially during long drives. Lexus has perfected the art of sound insulation in the LS 500, with acoustic glass and carefully designed seals that work together to block out external noise.
Whether you’re driving on city streets or gliding along a freeway, the cabin remains impressively quiet, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey without the intrusion of engine noise, tire hum, or wind.
The suspension system in the LS 500 further contributes to its peaceful nature. It’s equipped with an adaptive air suspension that automatically adjusts to the road conditions, providing a smooth, almost gliding ride.
This system ensures that even rough patches of road or uneven surfaces don’t disturb the serenity of the cabin. The result is a car that minimizes discomfort and distractions, allowing you to focus on the drive or enjoy your favorite music in peace.
Inside, the Lexus LS 500’s interior is the epitome of luxury and refinement. The high-quality materials, including soft leather and wood accents, create a soothing atmosphere, while the ultra-comfortable seats provide excellent support for long periods of driving.
With advanced technology features that are intuitive and easy to use, the LS 500 enhances the feeling of calm with minimal distraction, making it an ideal choice for peaceful long drives.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a symbol of luxury, and its ability to provide a peaceful, serene experience on long drives is a testament to its engineering excellence. One of the standout features of the S-Class is its remarkable noise reduction capabilities.
The cabin is meticulously soundproofed, using laminated windows and high-quality materials to keep road, wind, and engine noises at bay. Whether cruising at high speeds or idling in traffic, the S-Class remains incredibly quiet, providing a truly tranquil environment for both the driver and passengers.
The air suspension system in the S-Class offers an extraordinarily smooth and comfortable ride. This system automatically adjusts the suspension to adapt to road conditions, absorbing any imperfections in the road with ease.
The result is a cushioned ride that minimizes the impact of bumps and uneven surfaces, ensuring that every journey remains smooth and relaxed, even on long stretches of highway.
Beyond the comfort and silence, the S-Class is filled with luxury features that enhance the peaceful experience. The cabin is spacious and elegantly appointed with plush materials, ambient lighting, and high-end technology that seamlessly integrates into the driving experience.
Whether you’re enjoying the sound of the Burmester surround sound system or simply relaxing in the well-appointed seats, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is an ideal companion for long, peaceful drives.
Audi A8
The Audi A8 is another exceptional luxury sedan that excels in delivering a quiet, peaceful driving experience. Audi has spared no expense in creating a cabin that is as quiet as possible.
The A8 features sound-insulating glass, extensive noise reduction materials, and a carefully crafted design to minimize road, wind, and engine noise.
The result is a serene environment where outside distractions are kept to a minimum, allowing you to enjoy your drive in peace, whether you’re driving through the city or embarking on a cross-country road trip.
In addition to its soundproofing, the Audi A8 offers a smooth, comfortable ride thanks to its advanced air suspension system. This system actively adjusts to changing road conditions, absorbing bumps and imperfections with ease.
Whether you’re cruising on the freeway or navigating more challenging terrain, the A8 maintains a composed and smooth ride that doesn’t disturb the peace inside the cabin.
The interior of the Audi A8 is a sanctuary of comfort, with luxurious materials and advanced features designed to enhance your driving experience. From the supple leather seats to the intuitive MMI touch response system, the A8 is designed to make long drives as pleasant as possible.
The spacious cabin, high-quality finishes, and carefully engineered suspension system work together to create a driving experience that’s as peaceful as it is sophisticated.
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a flagship luxury sedan that excels in offering both comfort and refinement on long drives. Its cabin is designed with advanced noise-reducing materials, including laminated glass and precision seals that effectively block out the outside world.
The result is a tranquil environment that allows you to enjoy the road without distraction. Whether you’re on a lengthy road trip or simply commuting, the 7 Series keeps external noise to a minimum, providing a soothing atmosphere inside the cabin.
One of the standout features of the 7 Series is its adaptive air suspension, which provides a smooth and composed ride regardless of the road conditions.
This system adjusts the suspension in real-time to ensure that the car absorbs road imperfections and keeps the ride as comfortable as possible. The result is a cushioned, almost floating experience that is ideal for long drives, where comfort is key.
Inside, the BMW 7 Series is a luxury experience. With high-quality materials, plush seating, and state-of-the-art technology, the cabin is designed to enhance comfort and ease during long journeys.
The seats are ergonomic, providing excellent support over extended periods, while the premium sound system and advanced infotainment options ensure you have everything you need for a relaxing ride. The 7 Series is a perfect choice for those seeking peace and comfort on long drives.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is an electric vehicle that offers a uniquely quiet and smooth ride, making it an excellent choice for long trips.
Because the Model S lacks a traditional internal combustion engine, the cabin remains free of engine noise, which is often the most distracting aspect of driving. This near-silent operation, combined with soundproofing materials, allows for an incredibly peaceful driving experience.
The air suspension system in the Model S ensures that the car glides effortlessly over bumps and road imperfections. Whether driving on a smooth freeway or navigating more challenging terrain, the suspension adjusts to keep the ride comfortable and composed.
The smooth acceleration of the electric motor further enhances the sense of calm, allowing you to enjoy the journey without the jolts and vibrations that can accompany traditional gasoline engines.
Inside, the Model S offers a minimalist yet luxurious cabin that is both comfortable and quiet. The seats are supportive and comfortable for long periods of driving, and the large touchscreen interface provides easy access to navigation, music, and other entertainment options.
With its quiet performance, smooth ride, and futuristic features, the Tesla Model S offers a truly peaceful experience for long-distance driving.
5 Cars That Buzz Too Much
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is an iconic muscle car that’s built for performance, but that performance comes at a cost when it comes to long drives.
The roaring V8 engine can be thrilling when you’re accelerating or driving on a winding road, but on a long trip, the constant drone of the engine can quickly become tiresome.
The car’s lack of extensive soundproofing means that this noise is noticeable even at highway speeds, turning what could be a peaceful drive into a noisy experience.
In addition to the engine noise, the Camaro’s suspension system is stiffer than what you’d find in a luxury sedan, resulting in a rougher ride. The suspension doesn’t absorb bumps and imperfections in the road as smoothly as other vehicles, which can lead to a bumpy and uncomfortable experience.
Over long distances, this uncomfortable ride, combined with the engine’s growl, can make the car feel more exhausting than enjoyable.
Inside the cabin, the lack of refinement in terms of materials and sound insulation further contributes to the buzz. Wind, tire, and engine noises all make their way into the interior, and the stiff ride only amplifies these sounds.
If you’re looking for a peaceful journey, the Chevrolet Camaro’s performance-oriented design may make it less ideal for long trips.
Ford Mustang
Like the Camaro, the Ford Mustang is built with performance in mind, and that means a lot of noise. While the growl of the Mustang’s engine can be exciting on short drives, the constant noise it generates during longer trips can become overwhelming.
The cabin doesn’t offer much insulation from the outside world, and the engine, exhaust, and road noise can make for a loud and buzzing experience.
The Mustang’s ride quality also leaves something to be desired for long trips. With a performance-tuned suspension, the car’s ride is stiff and doesn’t do much to absorb the bumps and imperfections of the road.
This results in a jarring ride that, combined with the engine noise, can make long drives uncomfortable. Even with cruise control engaged, the car’s vibrations and noise can be mentally tiring on longer stretches of road.
While the Mustang offers thrilling acceleration and cornering, it’s not the best option for those seeking peace and comfort on long drives. The constant buzz of the engine and lack of refinement in terms of road noise can make it less than ideal for extended journeys.
Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is designed for performance, but that performance comes with a lot of noise, especially on long drives. The car’s turbocharged engine produces a high-pitched whine, and the lack of soundproofing means that this noise is hard to escape, even at higher speeds.
The WRX’s engine can become particularly loud at higher RPMs, creating a buzzing atmosphere that can be mentally draining on longer trips.
The WRX’s performance-oriented suspension system also contributes to the car’s noisy ride. While the car handles brilliantly on twisty roads and in more aggressive driving conditions, the stiff suspension doesn’t do much to smooth out the bumps and rough patches of the road.
This results in a ride that’s both noisy and uncomfortable, especially when you’re on the road for hours at a time.
The cabin of the WRX also lacks the refinement needed for a quiet ride. Wind, tire, and engine noise all make their way into the interior, and the car’s design prioritizes performance over comfort.
For drivers looking for a peaceful experience on long drives, the Subaru WRX’s buzzing engine and rough ride might quickly become tiring.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a vehicle built for adventure, not comfort. While it excels in off-road capabilities, it’s not the best choice for those seeking peace on long drives. The Wrangler’s boxy shape and rugged design create significant wind noise at higher speeds.
The wind rushes over the body of the car, creating a constant whooshing sound that is difficult to ignore, especially during highway driving.
Additionally, the Wrangler’s tires are designed for off-roading, which means they generate a lot of road noise on paved surfaces. The tires, combined with the lack of soundproofing, result in a cabin that’s filled with buzzing noises.
The car’s suspension system, which is tuned for off-road performance, doesn’t do much to smooth out the ride on long stretches of pavement. The result is a bumpy, noisy ride that can quickly become exhausting on long trips.
Inside the Wrangler, the lack of insulation and the utilitarian interior design make it less than ideal for quiet, relaxed journeys. The noise from the wind and tires can quickly wear on your nerves, and the rough ride adds to the discomfort.
If you’re looking for a peaceful and quiet long drive, the Jeep Wrangler’s ruggedness may leave you longing for something more refined.
Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R is a performance-focused hatchback, and its engine and exhaust are loud, aggressive, and tuned for high-performance driving. While the noise is exciting on short, spirited drives, it can be annoying and mentally tiring on long trips.
The high-revving engine produces a loud, shrill whine, and the car’s aggressive exhaust only amplifies this noise, creating a constant buzz in the cabin.
The Civic Type R’s performance-oriented suspension also contributes to the noisy ride. The stiff suspension doesn’t absorb road imperfections as smoothly as other vehicles, which means that even minor bumps are felt throughout the cabin.
The road noise, combined with the engine’s constant hum, can make long drives uncomfortable and mentally exhausting.
Inside the Civic Type R, the focus is more on performance than comfort. The seats are designed for a sporty feel, and the materials are functional but not particularly luxurious.
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The lack of sound insulation means that road noise and engine sounds are ever-present, which can make long trips feel more like an endurance test than a relaxing journey.
In conclusion, while some cars provide a peaceful and relaxing experience during long drives, others are prone to excessive noise and discomfort. Whether it’s the loud engine, rough ride, or lack of soundproofing, certain cars can turn a pleasant road trip into a tiring and buzzing experience.
For those who prioritize peace and quiet, choosing the right car for long drives is essential to ensure that the journey remains enjoyable and stress-free.
