Hi there!

I was wondering if anyone knows if there were any major differences in sound dampening between the '21 and '22 RX350. I used to have a '22 but got a '21 and am finding it a lot louder on the road. I did some searching on google, and other forums/reddit say that they're basically the same year to year with some minor improvements. The only thing that I really notice is the cameras were definitely better on the '22, and tuning/volume **** feels different. One difference I did find is that the tires are difference. My '22 had Bridgestone Ecopia tires while my '21 has Michelin LTX. The LTXs are supposed to be better from what I've read, so I'm at a loss. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Backstory:
I bought a used Certified 2022 RX350 in 2024. Definitely one of the my favorite cars I've ever owned. Unfortunately, I only had it for about a year before it was in an accident and needed to be totaled. I spent a few months looks for another used one at the Lux trim level (I really wanted the Mark Levinson sound system again). Eventually a 2021 one came up and I decided to get it. Everything felt normal when I was test driving it but when I got it on roads that I was more familiar with, I found that the noise level was much higher than on the 2022 car that I had.

 

Tires can have a large impact on road noise. On my 07 rx when I had ecopias they were quieter than whatever Michelin we had before. Then I went to Michelin cross climates which were good all around , much better handling but marginally worse fuel economy and some more road noise but not much that I was annoyed.

Currently have cross climate 2s on my 2017 right now, road noise is " normal" i don't have anything to compare to!

 

Thanks @evident . I plan on trying a different type once these are at their end. Both cars were Luxury trims which means they got the bigger tires. I know that effects sound as well. I would say the doors sound the same when closing, both vehicles had/have the same sun roof, and the wind noise sounds the same. I think there might be a little more engine sound and a little more than the 22 but again it's not as significant as the noise coming from the road.

 

There is not much sound deadening materials on them to begin with. I had to add more to solidify the doors. However, sound deaden materials does not improve road noise. It only improves the resonances and vibrations. The tires make difference.

 

I think tires will be the first step. I don't think my previous RX had any additional sound deadening material. I am pretty sure it was a lease. What tires do you have? Also, I'd be interested in what you used for the door sound deadening. Did you do it yourself?

 

Michelin Tires. Make sure the tires are wearing properly and not feathered. A bad wheel bearing can also sometimes sound like bad tires.

Sound deadening material I used NVX and I installed them myself.

2020-2022 model was the last refresh for this generation. They should be quite similar from trim to trim.