Hi all
I currently have a HS 250h and it is my fourth Lexus, and I find this car quite noisy compared to the other Lexus models. Noisy enough it's difficult to hear podcasts when driving on the highway which I was able to clearly hear on the other Lexus cars. Does everyone else find this to be the case, or do I just have noisy tyres?
If it is noisy tyres can anyone recommend a brand that is quiet?

 

Could you be more specific about the noise you're hearing? Just so you know, these hybrid cars naturally make some sounds that’s usually from the gas engine turning on and off as part of normal operation. The brakes can sometimes make a unique sound too, but nothing that should stop you from enjoying your podcast. As for the tires, I highly recommend going with the ones originally recommended the Michelin Defender2. They’re a bit on the expensive side, but you’ll be getting top-quality tires that are built to last. I put a set on my Lexus HS 250h, and despite hitting potholes and running over nails, they’ve held up incredibly well. Totally worth the investment.

 

It's just the outside noise from doing highway speed, with the combustion engine running, no braking and doing a constant speed. I also have an old hybrid GS which is very quiet doing on the same road. I do like driving the HS as it sits high like a small SUV without the hatch.
Personally I think it's a combination of the HS just isn't as well insulated as a GS which is understandable being almost double the price when new and the tires on it now are bridgestone.

 

My HS is relatively quiet, but not luxury sedan quiet. the engine tends to drone at highway speeds or under acceleration. But I've never had a problem talking on the phone, for example. Tires can make a big difference though. I normally run Michelin Primacy MXM4 touring tires and they were quiet, but are hard to find now so now have the cross climate 2s and they are quiet too. On my tesla, which is extra quiet on the highway, I did notice a big noise difference moving from MXM4's to the higher performance Pilot Sport AS4's. So even among the same tire brand, tires vary in noise. Are those Bridgestone's performance tires or touring tires?

 

Do you have the 17" wheels or the 18" inch wheels?

The EU mandates testing of every batch of tires for dB noise level. They publish all the data on an "EPEL" website. I did a ton of research on the topic.

18 inch tires: (225/45R18 91W)

• Yokohama Fleva, or Yokohama Advan Fleva: 67 dB
• Pirelli P Zero PZ4: also 67 dB
• Michelin Primacy 4 - 68 dB
• Bridgestone Turanza T005 MO - 68 dB

17 inch tires: (215/55R17 94W)

• Yokohama Advan dB V552 - 67 dB
• Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance 2 - 67 dB
• Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 - 67 dB
• Michelin Primacy 4 215/55R17 98W XL - 68 dB
• Michelin Primacy 3 AO - 68 dB
• Michelin Primacy 4 S1 - 68 dB

I ended up buying the Bridgestone Turanza T005 "MO" - "MO" means they were specially formulated for stock BMWs, whatever BMW requested, it met all my requirements and was a good value. I think they are great tires for my car in wet or dry, but I do see bad reviews online.

I did a lot of copy/paste here, if anybody sees an obvious error please let me know and I will fix it. I think this is all accurate though as of about a year ago.

 

Thaniks for the list. I have 17" rims. I should clarify the car is quiet, the motor is almost inaudible, its the road noise I have issues with, which I am assuming is the tires or the door seals don't seal very well. The it's much noisier on the highway. Its quiet in the city.

 

It is your tires. How many miles are on them?
Some tires get much noisier as they wear. Also uneven wear can produce a lot of noise.

 

Im not sure. they are the tires I bought the car with; but they are 6 year old tires and are getting low but not unroadworthy yet.

 

Just to update my own post.
Yes, it WAS the tyres. I got a set of Kumho tyres (they were on special) and the difference is night and day.
Not as quiet as the GS but it's but its pretty damn close to be enjoyable to drive and listen to podcasts on the highway.
Wish I could afford those michelin tyres. Maybe next time

 

Thanks so much for that list of tyres. It really helped. I ended up selling my older Lexus GS and with that I was able to get a set of tyres recommended on your list
the Yokohama Adven Fleva 701 which were on a big black Friday special, and boy what a difference. Very quiet car now. And the big bonus is I have a new best fuel economy record by FAR
. For a 27km drive on a windy but flat highway I was able to get 23.1km/L or 4.3L/100km or 54 mpg. That's outstanding. And here is the pic to prove it.
That said my 250h is a 2018 import, but I'm sure it's the same motor.