The best SUVs for a quiet ride in 2026

From the Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV's silent four-motor drivetrain to a Jeep Grand Wagoneer quieter than the V8 it replaced

Cabin noise is one of those vehicle qualities that buyers rarely notice when it is done right and cannot ignore when it is done wrong. A well-insulated SUV absorbs road vibration, filters wind noise at highway speeds, and suppresses engine drone during acceleration so thoroughly that passengers may not realize how much work the engineering is doing. An under-insulated vehicle makes the same journey feel exhausting: the sustained low-frequency roar of pavement transmitted through inadequate soundproofing raises fatigue, makes conversation harder, and turns a long drive into something to endure rather than enjoy. Research on cabin noise confirms what drivers intuitively understand: sustained exposure to vehicle noise increases driver fatigue and creates distractions that compound over the length of a trip.

The vehicles on this list earn their positions based on U.S. News interior scores, which incorporate cabin noise as part of the overall interior evaluation alongside seating quality, materials, technology, and cargo capacity. The quietest SUVs tend to be those with the most engineering investment in isolation: thick door seals, acoustic glass, body cavity foam, and — increasingly — electric powertrains that eliminate the combustion engine’s contribution to interior noise entirely. Plug-in hybrid models appear repeatedly on this list because their electric-only operation at low speeds and during stop-and-go driving eliminates the noise source that other vehicles cannot suppress.

These 10 SUVs come from U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the quietest SUVs, based on U.S. News interior scores with overall rating as the tiebreaker. The list spans compact crossovers to full-size luxury SUVs and covers gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric powertrains. No pricing figures appear in this article. The scoring methodology gives the overall U.S. News rating precedence when interior scores tie, a situation that applies across several vehicles in this group.

1. Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV runs four motors silently

Credit: Mercedes-Benz

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV earns a perfect interior score of 10 out of 10, the highest of any vehicle on this list. Four electric motors drive the vehicle in near silence, and Mercedes added extensive cabin insulation to prevent road and trail noise from reaching occupants. Vehicle tester Michael Teo Van Runkle found the G-Class EV as capable off-road as some of the toughest all-terrain pickup trucks, a specific endorsement for a vehicle that must maintain quiet interior conditions across rough terrain where other SUVs generate the most noise.

The G-Class EV seats five, and its interior quality justifies its premium positioning. The materials throughout the cabin are excellent. The ride is compliant on all but the most demanding pavement, and the acceleration is smooth and effortless. Four electric motors, extensive insulation, and the compliant suspension together produce a cabin environment where the dominant sensory experience is silence over mechanical sound.

The electric powertrain’s contribution to cabin quiet goes beyond eliminating engine noise. Combustion engines generate vibration that structural insulation can reduce but not eliminate, which transmits as low-frequency hum through the floor and seats. An all-electric drivetrain removes that vibration source entirely, and the G-Class EV’s four-motor architecture distributes power delivery across all four wheels smoothly enough that the typical surge-and-settle dynamics of single-motor EVs do not create their own noise and motion. The result is the quietest cabin in this group, as reflected in the perfect interior score. The G-Class EV also demonstrates that a rugged exterior and an off-road-capable platform are not obstacles to cabin refinement. Mercedes engineered both simultaneously, treating them as complementary, not competing, priorities. A vehicle that excels at both demonstrates an engineering discipline that single-purpose vehicles do not require. The G-Class EV’s off-road capability also means it delivers the quietest cabin on this list in the context where other vehicles generate the most noise.

2. Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid gets a new screen for 2026

The 2026 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid earns an interior score of 9.3 out of 10. The 2026 model year brings a refresh that includes a new 11.2-inch touchscreen with updated software for a more intuitive experience, as well as minor changes to interior and exterior styling. The powertrain carries over unchanged, a decision the source describes positively, since the existing setup already delivers the quick, efficient, and quiet performance that defines the XC60 PHEV’s character.

The XC60 Plug-In Hybrid provides 35 miles of all-electric range, which covers most daily commuting distances without engaging the combustion engine. The quiet ride the electric mode provides extends across different driving conditions: whether accelerating up a highway onramp or easing through stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle stays notably smooth and comfortable. The base trim for 2026 introduces a new nonleather upholstery option that the source describes as lending an upscale character to the cabin without the cost premium of leather.

The XC60 PHEV’s quiet ride is one element of broader sophistication that the source identifies throughout the vehicle’s character. The powertrain delivers impressive acceleration without the noise penalty that aggressive performance typically carries. The updated infotainment adds a technology dimension to the 2026 refresh that addresses a criticism leveled at earlier versions. For buyers who want a compact luxury plug-in hybrid SUV with a quiet cabin, current infotainment technology, and a balance of performance and efficiency, the XC60 PHEV’s 2026 updates make it the most comprehensively current option at this score........

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