What non-Tesla EV to lease if you want quiet, smooth ride?

Ask the Hackrs
1

I own two EVs right now (Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3). The Leaf is the quieter and has good enough tech features.

I like the tech and ADAS in the Tesla, but I’m itching to get into a nicer vehicle that drives smooth. I have not driven any Lexus LS500s, but been in Mercedes S500 and love how the road noise is isolated. There are some crappy roads on my commute and I feel those even more in the model 3.

I wouldn’t mind replacing the leaf with a nicer car. I will keep the Tesla as it would become the around town car for my wife with a 5 mile one way commute.

I see many options and don’t know what leases well. Acura ZDX, Equinox, Blazer, Mercedes EQ (various), Genesis GV70, BMW i7, Solterra.

This would be a car I take to the office a couple of times per week (70 miles RT) and on weekend trips where I’m going < 150 miles one way, and I can charge at the destination. I would rent cars for longer road trips (we seem to do only one of those per year).

Budget would be $1k a month for the lease (I know insurance would be additional). Maintenance costs have been quite low for my EVs. I will be driving these around 10k miles a year.

Seems like Chevy Blazer to be a very cost effective option for leasing but the EQS to be a great way to enjoy the Mercedes luxury at a much lower price than ICE equivalent.

Other option is to buy a used Tesla Model S (I see some 2022s around $50 mark), and those seem to be the quieter ones than the Model 3.

I don’t have any strong attraction for any brand, just want something that’s a great value for my budget. I don’t need any car urgently so I have been tire kicking a lot. I will probably take a test drive of Lucid Air and Mercedes EQS.

I’m open to gasoline cars as well but it seems there are better lease deals on EVs, plus the carpool sticker helps.

2

Genesis GV70 has a nice quiet ride. I think you should add the BMW i4 and i5 to your list as well.

3

I had an i7 loaner that I took on a 600 mile road trip. It was very quiet and serene.

I also very much love my iX on road trips.

Both are quite the cruisers.

4

Outside of the i7, you should expect 2-3 cars for each of the models that you mentioned. Take a look at what’s happening with the ZDX A spec at the moment as an example. From all reports it rides and drives beautifully, is moderately well appointed and can be had for “onepay” leases that equate to sub $300/month. Check broker offerings in your region.

If you’re more interested with squeezing enjoyment out of every one of those thousand dollars, I think your sights should be much, much higher (again outside of the i7, but also still including the i7 :sweat_smile:).

5

BMW i7 hands down with the iX specifically with Dynamic Handling Package as a second.

6

Call me crazy, i know its a truck but from my experience driving tesla, porsche, benz ev’s. The lightning to me is the smoothest ride i experienced, its now the preferred family car when we go out with family

7

BMW iX with air suspension and 20" aftermarket wheels. (The OEM 20" wheels are too ugly).

I’ve cross shopped everything for the past two years, and nothing beats this, except maybe the BMW i7 or Roll Royce EV, but they are in a different price class. You can still get a great deal on a leased iX (or even buy a depreciated used one).

8

Trucks can be hard to park in urban areas. Does if park itself like the Teslas do?

9

Good to know. You mean iX or i7?

10

Ah yes. That was a typo. I meant i7!

11

My zdx is smooth and quiet

12

Agree iX is worth a look.

13

EQS and IX are quiet. I’ve had a couple of EQE loaners and they were quiet as well. On the IX and maybe the BMW lower trims in general, make sure it has adjustable seats/lumbar for comfort. You mentioned Lexus LS but the smaller ES is pretty comfortable and quiet (also ES takes regular gas in the non-hybrid as a plus).

If parking in urban areas is a major concern as you mentioned, then better to go more midsized than larger. We struggle with the EQS in the NYC boroughs for comparison.

One other thing to keep in mind on the larger EVs, maintenance will be more than your Leaf and Tesla which you noted as being low. Tires wear out faster and with their size, cost significantly more. Another member here mentioned that Tesla is the only one with true regen braking so on the larger EVs, brakes may be a wear item depending on miles and style/mix of driving.

14

To be honest idk, never looked for that feature lol ill check tomorrow

15

plus the carpool sticker helps

Keep in mind that the carpool stickers probably won’t be valid after September 2025.

Electric and hybrid vehicles could lose California carpool access

17

Just order the 2025 Model Y Launch Edition. Much quieter and smoother ride than the older design. Many upgrades on the refreshed model and from what I can tell from reviews it is like night and day compared to the older model. It is the one car that keeps delaying me from making a bad decision by getting something different to replace my Model 3. I am thinking about waiting for the other variants of the Model Y to come out first.

18

My choice will either be Genesis GV70 or BMW iX. BMW iX is a solid ev but ugly. Genesis GV70 has a better interior & exterior, however it also has lower range, problematic ICCU & worse dealer experience.