Which car is quieter?

Anyone here driven both automobiles and care to share their experience with the noise levels? I saw an ad in a magazine stating that the Kia K900 is quieter than all of the big luxury sedans (including the LS). I also read a review stating that the Kia K900 is only 2% louder than Rolls Royce Ghost.

 

According to Edmunds, the 2010 Lexus LS is quieter on the go.

The Kia at idle is 30.3 dB, cruising at 70 mph is 59.5 dB, and at full throttle is 69.5 db.

The 2010 LS460 was 39.2, 58.2, and 65.3 respectively.

 

Hey Hulk, I have not driven the K900 personally however I was a loyal 15 year Toyota / Lexus owner and have recently had a 12 Optima and 14 Sorento SXL. It is quite amazing how far they have come, and in many areas beat most of the other car brands. Their brand perception from the past still heavily effects resale value. Just sold my 14 Sorento to pick up a Subaru Legacy, but I wanted to share my feedback with you over how happy I was with Kia... never thought I would be so impressed by them.

 

I have a K900 full-review scheduled for the next few days...or whenever there are some available new models in my area that are unsold. They are just starting to come into some local Kia shops now.

 

Alex on Autos review of the K900 states that it is quieter than the LS...

 

Here is a review comparison if you're interested in watching.

 

A friend of mine who drove Lexuses for years (albeit ES's) recently traded for a K900 and she is thrilled with it. I think it's a distinctive looking car from the outside but don't find the interior nearly up to the quality of the LS. Great strides by the Koreans though.

I will say I would rather own a Kia Optima than a Hyundai Sonata.

 

I wonder how the Hyundai Equus stacks up against the Kia K900 and Lexus LS460L. I know Hyundai owns Kia. I do have to say the K900 front reminds me of a Jaguar. One thing, I check the dB level for the RR Phantom and I am impressed that the Lexus LS is quieter.

 

The Equus is reported to driver a good degree better, as the K900 is a rolling couch.

 

Yes, that would be a great comparison test.

 

I look forward to driving one.

You have to remember too, decibels are not the be all and end all of how quiet an interior is. Has a lot to do with pitch, frequency, etc. Just because one car has a lower dB reading doesn't mean it will feel quieter inside.

 

Congrats to KIA, they have made a car that is quieter or close to the venerable LS sedan. I think the Avalon is still quieter than both.

 

New Avalon is quiet, but not quieter than the K900 or LS, at least at cruising speed. Edmunds, keeping sources consistent, rated the Avalon Hybrid at 70 mph @ 59.8 dba, higher than the K900 59.5 and the LS 58.2

 

I believe a lot of this is due to the fact that the Equus has an adjustable suspension, whereas the K900, at least in America, is limited to a standard fixed spring/shock setup.