Four Korean models and one domestic model ranked among the top five in Russia for the poorest sound insulation: Hyundai Solaris, Kia Rio, Kia Cerato, Hyundai Creta, and Lada Largus. Russian vehicle owners labeled these cars as the least comfortable in acoustic terms, according to a survey by the analytical agency Avtostat.
To boost a car’s sound insulation, many specialized firms offer services. Depending on the vehicle and client requirements, typical costs range from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles.
After completion, noise inside the cabin can drop by about 70–80 percent,
stated a Shumoff representative in an interview with socialbites.ca.
“The car will feel like a thermos. It won’t heat up as quickly in summer and it will cool down more slowly in winter,” the source noted.
The most requested service among customers is soundproofing of wheel arches, according to a Standardplast factory spokesperson speaking with socialbites.ca.
Most customers seeking acoustic improvements are Kia, Volkswagen, Skoda, and Toyota owners. Recently, interest has grown among owners of older vehicles who are upgrading their cars due to budget constraints rather than buying new ones.
“The pool of people seeking sound insulation has shrunk as service costs rise. Material prices have increased by roughly a third, and service prices by about 20 percent. We are earning less, but we understand the trend,” commented a facilities specialist.
Many owners, for instance, Kia Rio owners, are not ready to invest 100,000 rubles in soundproofing.
The overall cost depends on the car’s class, model, and brand. The amount of material used and the time spent on disassembly and reassembly of interior sections are key factors. Installing sound insulation for a Mercedes-Benz, for example, will typically cost more than for a lower-class vehicle.
Comprehensive soundproofing can take a full working day. It involves sealing the floor, hood, doors, trunk, and roof—essentially the entire interior from the inside, except the front panel. The interior is stripped to metal, and the material is applied in three or four layers, depending on the car design. In some cases, two days may be needed to treat an engine shield.
Yet, this upgrade comes with drawbacks:
for example, after installing soundproofing, a Hyundai Creta compact crossover may gain about two sacks of potatoes in weight (roughly 50 kg).
A Kia Rio-class passenger car could become about 40 kg heavier, while a Volkswagen Caravelle minibus might gain around 70 kg.
With added weight, suspension stiffness rises and handling can shift. Roughly 15 kg sits above the center of gravity on the roof and doors, with the rest distributed closer to the ground.
The increased weight often means higher fuel consumption, reduced dynamic performance, and somewhat less efficient braking.
Nevertheless, experts say the improved acoustic comfort often compensates for these downsides. In the soundproofing process, materials such as mastic, polymer foams, rubbers, foamed polyethylene, and other components are used. The exact chemical composition of insulating mats varies by location in the vehicle; for instance, door sections may use slightly different formulations to improve moisture resistance.
Soundproofing results are not uniform across all models. Car owners are advised to read club forums and reviews before consulting a specialist.
Why do automakers cut back on soundproofing?
Independent automotive consultant Sergey Burgazliev notes that EU technical standards set permissible interior noise levels. If a vehicle meets these limits, it is certified.
“The decision hinges on how much the automaker wants to factor sound insulation into the car’s price,” Burgazliev explains. “Manufacturers may pursue cost reductions while maintaining the market price. Technically, isolating the entire car from noise is not impossible.”
Acoustic comfort inside the cabin is influenced by engine and drivetrain noise, road contact noise from tires, and aerodynamic drag. Improving sound insulation can also be done by drivers themselves.
“There are many insulating boards about 0.4–0.7 mm thick on the market. The interior is disassembled, panels removed, and the material is heated with a specialized burner. A typical job takes four to five working days,” Burgazliev notes.
How does noise affect the driver?
High-intensity noise can harm the nervous system by impacting the cerebral cortex, a condition associated with irritation, explains Angelica Esikova, a neurologist at Tambov MedLab Medical Center.
“Prolonged driving can cause irritation, headaches, vasospasm, elevated blood pressure, and increased heart rate. Over time, sound perception can dull, the brain may block disturbing signals, reaction to sounds slows, and fatigue plus reduced attention can set in,” the doctor adds.
Current research, including studies by the Swedish National Institute of Roads and Transport, highlights how low-frequency road noise can lead drivers to slow down and even drift out of their lane at night, potentially contributing to accidents.