Rating of Chinese cars by noise insulation: top models

The modern automotive market is undergoing a huge change, and Chinese manufacturers are no longer associated solely with low-end solutions. Today, customers are increasingly paying attention to the level of acoustical comfortThis has become one of the key criteria when choosing a premium crossover or sedan. It is the silence in the cabin that creates the feeling of an expensive product and reduces the fatigue of the driver on long trips.

Market analysis shows that China’s leaders are implementing advanced sound absorption technologies using multi-layered glass and active noise reduction systems. Geely Monjaro, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Haval F7 These are just some of the models that challenge traditional European brands. In this article, we will discuss in detail what materials are used by engineers and why some cars hum on the track, while others give absolute silence.

It is important to understand that the noise level consists of many factors: aerodynamics of the body, rigidity of the panels and the quality of the rubber. The greatest contribution to the overall acoustic background is made by the insulation of the wheel arches and the engine compartment. It is these nodes that are primarily paid attention when creating a rating of the best cars in silence in the cabin.

When choosing a new car, you should focus not only on the volume of the engine, but also on the nature of the sounds penetrating into the cabin. The low-frequency hum of tires on asphalt is often more annoying than the roar of the engine when overtaking. Therefore, in our review we will pay special attention to the comprehensive assessment of sound comfort at different speeds.

Criteria for assessing acoustic comfort in cars

Professional evaluation of noise insulation is a complex process that goes beyond the subjective impression of "quietly" or "loud." Engineers use special devices to measure the level of sound pressure in decibels (dB) at various points in the cabin. The key parameter is the difference between external noise and what the driver hears, which depends on the difference between the two. permeability body materials.

There are three main sources of noise that manufacturers struggle with: aerodynamic (wind whistle), mechanical (engine and transmission) and road (tyre rolling). To combat the first important geometry of the body and the quality of seals doors. The second source is eliminated by installing effective silencers and vibration insulation of the motor shield. The third, perhaps the most complex, requires the use of heavy bitumen-polymer materials in arches and floors.

How to measure noise

Test Methodology: Measurements are made on smooth asphalt at speeds of 60, 90 and 120 km / h. The microphone is placed at the driver's head level. The work of the climate system and multimedia in the off state are also taken into account.

It is worth noting that modern Chinese brands often use technology. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which through the speakers of the audio system generates antiphase low-frequency hums. This allows you to effectively deal with "drumbling" without weighting the structure with additional layers of mastic. Passive insulation is still the foundation of sound quality.

• 🔊 Frequency range: Evaluate which frequencies (low, medium or high) penetrate the cabin.
• 🚗 Dependence on speed: How does the noise level increase when accelerating from 60 to 120 km / h?
• 🛣️ Quality of road surface: The behavior of the car on a primer, gravel and perfect asphalt.

Technology and Materials: What Chinese Brands Use

The Chinese automotive industry has made a huge leap in the field of materials science. If earlier in the budget segment was used thin felt, now in the course are multilayer composites based on foamed polyurethane and bitumen sheets with aluminum coating. Materials such as vibrodumping, are applied to metal panels of the body at the stamping stage, which significantly increases the rigidity of the structure.

Particular attention is paid to glazing. Many business class models, such as Exeed TXL or Li Auto L9They are equipped with double glasses with acoustic film. This technology can cut off up to 30% of external noise, especially in the high-frequency range, where the human ear is most sensitive. Door seals are made in two or even three circuits, creating a sealed capsule.

In the engine compartment, special casings made of dense plastic with a pile of sputtering from the inside are used. Not only do they protect the engine from dust, but they also act as an extra screen reflecting the sound wave back into the under-hood space. Some manufacturers go further, using the active systems we mentioned earlier, integrating them into the regular acoustics.

⚠️ Note: Not all “noiseproof” bags are the same. Dealers may offer additional processing, which often consists of simply spraying liquid rubber onto the arches outside. This gives a minimal effect compared to the factory complex insulation of the cabin.

Leaders of the rating: models with better cabin insulation

Analyzing the current model range, we can identify the undisputed leaders who set the standards of silence in their class. The undisputed favorite is Geely MonjaroThe level of acoustic comfort can rival the German premium crossovers. Engineers Geely The company has used the CMA platform developed in collaboration with Volvo, which guarantees the highest standards of quality of assembly and materials.

Another prominent representative is Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max. Despite its size, this car is surprisingly quiet on the go. The secret lies in the use of double glasses in the front and carefully worked out aerodynamics of mirrors and pillars. At speeds up to 110 km / h in the cabin, you can quietly talk in a whisper without raising your voice.

Do not discount the brand and the brand. Havalin particular the model Haval F7 in restyling. Chinese engineers paid special attention to the insulation of wheel arches, where multi-layered underwings with pile are used. This allowed to significantly reduce the noise from gravel-covering (gravel chips) and wet asphalt.

Model model of the car	Noise level (60 km/h)	Noise level (100 km/h)	Features of isolation
Geely Monjaro	36 dB	64 dB	Double Glasses, CMA Platform
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	38 dB	66 dB	Reinforced seals, acoustic package
Haval F7	39 dB	68 dB	Noise insulation of arches, active noise suppression
OMODA C5	40 dB	69 dB	Aerodynamic body design

Comparison with competitors: Europe and Korea

The question of comparing Chinese cars with European and Korean counterparts remains open, but the gap is rapidly closing. Compared Geely Monjaro s Volkswagen Tiguan or Hyundai Santa Fe The Chinese often wins in detail work out the details of the trifles. Europeans often save on materials in hidden cavities, while Chinese brands, conquering the market, do not spare money on the market. maximum.

Korean brands such as Kia and HyundaiThey are traditionally strong in aerodynamics, making them quiet at high speeds. However, at low speeds and when the engine is running at idle, Chinese hybrids and turbo engines are often quieter due to more advanced vibration systems. Li Auto With their serial hybrid installation, it's almost silent in urban mode.

However, the European school still holds the palm of the championship in suspension tuning, which indirectly affects the acoustics. The rigid suspension transmits more structural noise to the body. The Chinese are more likely to choose a comfortable, soft setting, which in combination with abundant noise insulation gives the feeling of a “carpet-airplane”.

Effects of wheels and tires on overall noise

Tires cannot be ignored as they are responsible for up to 40% of all road noise. Chinese automakers often complete their top models with premium brands tires, such as: Michelin or Continentalwhich have an optimized tread pattern. However, on the basic trim levels can be installed more noisy tires of local brands, for example, Linglong or Sailun.

When choosing a car, you should consider the size of the wheels. Large (19-20 inches) wheels with low-profile rubber are always noisier and stiffer than smaller diameter wheels (17-18 inches) with a high profile. The air in the high sidewall of the tire works as an additional buffer, quenching the sound vibrations before they reach the suspension and body.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a car on the secondary market or after long-term use, check the condition of the tires. Even on the quietest car, “blown” or unevenly worn rubber will negate all the efforts of engineers in noise insulation.

The type of tread pattern is also important. The asymmetric pattern characteristic of summer tires is usually quieter on dry asphalt, but can hum at certain speeds. All-season tires, popular in China for the variety of climatic zones, often have a more aggressive and noisy pattern, which is worth considering when operating year-round.

Problems and disadvantages: where the Chinese are still yielding

Despite the obvious progress, certain nuances are still present. In some models, there is a problem with the quality of the assembly of interior panels. Over time, plastic cells can begin to creak, creating a high-frequency annoying noise that makes its way through any external insulation. It is a matter of quality control on assembly lines.

Another point is the work of variators (CVT) paired with gasoline engines. With a sharp acceleration, such power units often lift the engine speed to one point, creating a monotonous hum, which is poorly isolated by standard means. Unlike classical automata or robots, where the revolutions change smoothly, the CVT requires a special adjustment of acoustic comfort.

It is also worth mentioning the cooling system. Some powerful Chinese-made turbo engines have quite loud radiator fans that can turn on even in the parking lot. If the car is not equipped with high-quality insulation of the motor shield, this sound will be clearly heard in the cabin, especially in traffic jams.

Practical tips for improving noise insulation

If you already own a car, but the level of comfort does not suit you, the situation can be improved. The first step should be to replace the regular tires with quieter ones, labeled "Silent" or "Comfort". This will give instant and tangible results without interference with the design of the car.

For a deeper modernization, it is recommended to conduct professional noise insulation of the wheel arches and floor of the cabin. The use of modern materials, such as vibroplate or splendorThis will reduce the level of penetrating noise by 3-5 dB, which subjectively feels like a two-fold decrease in volume.

Don’t forget to check and maintain the door seals. Regular cleaning and lubrication of rubber contours with silicone will prevent them from drying out and losing elasticity. This is a simple but effective way to keep the cabin tight for many years.

Should you make a complete noise insulation of the new Chinese car?

In most cases, full noise insulation of a new premium car (Geely Monjaro, Exeed, Chery Pro) does not make sense. The factory level is already very high, and the intervention can lead to the appearance of extraneous sounds due to a violation of the assembly. The exception is the installation of additional layers in the arches for driving on gravel roads.

Is it true that Chinese brands’ electric cars are quieter?

Yes, electric cars (e.g. Zeekr or BYD) are much quieter than gasoline counterparts at low speeds due to the lack of combustion engines. However, on the road (>80 km / h), the noise from wind and tires becomes dominant, and here the difference with ICE cars is smoothed out, depending only on the quality of aerodynamics and rubber.

How to check the quality of noise insulation in the car dealership?

Ask to shut down the engine and close all doors. In the silence of the cabin, only your own movements should be heard. Then ask someone to knock on the outside of the door with their knuckles. Deaf, low-frequency knock indicates good vibration insulation, ringing - about thin metal and the absence of dampers.

Does the color of the car affect the noise level?

No, the color of the paint does not affect the acoustic properties of the body. However, the type of coating (metallic, mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of father of mother of mother of mother of father of father of father of father of mother of mother of mother of mother of father of father of father of mother of mother of mother of But the pigment of paint does not absorb sound.

Can the noise insulation of budget Chinese cars be improved?

Budget models (such as the baseline Changan or Haval Jolion) often have finer insulation. It makes sense to further process the motor shield and doors. This will reduce engine noise and improve the sound of the audio system, making the car more comfortable for a reasonable amount of money.