What Car? Q&A - What’s the quietest estate?

Q: I currently drive a Mondeo Ghia X 2.0 litre petrol and do about 25,000 miles per year. I like the car, but I am a bit unhappy with the level of road noise on the motorway, where I spend a good deal of my time.

I'm now considering opting for the Ghia, which has 16-inch wheels, as the 17-inch wheels on the Ghia X may be the problem. I also wondered if the Volvo V50 would be better for quiet motorway cruising. I need an estate to cope with my dog, too. Which model would you suggest?
Dave Ward

A: Smaller wheels could certainly make your Mondeo quieter and more comfortable, but so too could changing its tyres.

We found that Dunlop SP Sport 04 tyres worked a treat on a long-term test Mazda 6 we ran, markedly cutting back on road noise in what is one of the rowdiest cars in the class. Originally it rode on Bridgestone tyres.

The V50 is certainly more refined than the Ford Focus upon which it is based, but it's not really that much quieter than the Mondeo. Because it's based on the Focus, it's a lot smaller than a Mondeo, so depending on the size of your dog, you might find it unsuitable for your needs.

If you want a quiet car that's as big as the Mondeo, the Vauxhall Vectra springs to mind. It's the most comfortable and quietest family car we've tried, even given the recent modifications to the suspension which have made it more fun to drive.