Dear Alex, 

I’m intending to change cars and I’d like the quietest saloon or SUV I can get for £30,000. I would consider an electric car, but would also look at petrol and diesel models. What do you suggest?

– PC

Dear PC,

Let’s deal first with the issue of whether to go electric. I can see why you would, because an EV obviously lacks engine noise, which can make them very quiet in operation.

However, keep in mind the effect of tyre noise. Most EVs have big wheels and, consequently, large tyre contact patches – and that in turn means that what you lose in engine noise you can sometimes gain in tyre noise. 

Nevertheless, on balance, most EVs do better than their petrol counterparts in noise tests, and one of the quietest – surprisingly, given that it’s also one of the most affordable – is the Peugeot e-2008. 

The e-2008 starts at £32,700 brand new, above your budget, although swingeing discounts at dealers due to the current lack of demand for EVs generally mean massive savings are to be had on low-mileage examples. 

Some dealers are even offering delivery-mile, top-spec GT models for £29,500. And while the GT’s range isn’t as good as some EVs, at that price it stacks up quite well. 

Having said that, Peugeot’s reliability record isn’t the greatest, which is why I’d recommend trying a Kia EV6 as an alternative. A used EV6 can just about be had for your budget – I found a 2022 example of the entry-level Air model, which is the sweetest to drive, with 13,000 miles going for £29,985. 

Similarly silent and also one of our favourite EVs is the Polestar 2. This has a beautifully finished interior and a well-judged ride and handling balance – as long as you avoid the top-spec Performance model, which is a bit stiff. I found a long-range single-motor, the best configuration, dating from 2022 with 7,000 miles, at £29,950.

But if you conclude that an EV isn’t for you, which petrol and diesel cars can compete?

Your best bet is to aim for a more upmarket model, as you’re likely to get a more generous amount of sound deadening that way – indeed, luxury limos like the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8 tend to top the tables for the most isolating driving experiences of all. 

Certainly, you won’t get much quieter than an 2019 A8 that I found – a 3.0 TDI V6 S Line with 24,000 miles, sensibly sized wheels and a full service history. Yours for £28,750 – better value than the equivalent S-Class, which will set you back quite a bit more.

Of course, an A8 is a large car. If you fancy something a little more nimble, how about a BMW 5 Series? £29,979 gets you into a post-facelift 2022 520i SE mild hybrid with only 4,500 miles – this also happens to be one of the most fuel-efficient ways of owning a large petrol saloon. With its relatively small-diameter wheels and plush tyres, it should offer silent running in addition to being extremely comfortable. Given your situation, that would be my choice.

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