@Corey
I’m not trying to argue, but who is ‘we’ and what vehicles did you test? I’ve driven three different hardtops at over 70 mph.
Tian said:
@Corey
I’m not trying to argue, but who is ‘we’ and what vehicles did you test? I’ve driven three different hardtops at over 70 mph.
We means me and my wife in my 2022 4-door Badlands with the Sasquatch package. It varies with the temperature, and I think every time you take the top off and put it back on, it settles differently. I found out where our whistle is coming from; it’s from the gap just under the side edge of the top. It seems to only happen in cold weather, like below 35 degrees. Maybe the cold shrinks the top just enough to create a bigger gap? I’m not sure. When it whistles, we can push up where the tops meet and it stops, but that’s not something we can keep doing. In the winter, I put weather stripping where the top meets the door frame, and that stops the whistle completely. The rides to the ski slopes are super quiet after I put that rubber strip on.
When my 2024 Bronco was at the dealership for a new drive shaft at 5,000 miles, they gave me a 2023 Explorer. Wow, when you shut the door, it seals perfectly, and it feels like you’re in a soundproof room. But when I got back in my Bronco, it felt less sealed and a bit louder, but in a nice way. Getting the Sasquatch package or a tall lift is just going to make it worse. I try to save gas in my Bronco, averaging 23 MPG. If I focus really hard on driving, I can get 26 MPG, but that’s tough and sometimes unsafe. You have to use cruise control a lot and know when to coast and brake lightly to keep moving.
I added the B and C pillar brace, and it really cut down the noise from the hardtop.
These vehicles are a blast to drive. If you’re used to Lincoln Navigators or Cadillacs, the road noise might bother you a bit, but otherwise, it should be fine. Mine has 35-inch tires, no driving issues, and I’m getting between 17 and 19 MPG.
My hardtop with lining and carpet from the Badlands 4-door Sasquatch is 72 decibels at 70 mph. I’ve only had mine for two weeks and have already put 1,000 miles on it. The road noise is manageable. I used to drive a 2019 WRX, which was a lot louder.
The Bronco’s controls and layout are way better than my 2020 Gladiator. I love how the center console is laid out.
I have a hardtop Badlands, and I think the wind noise is much better than the Jeep. It’s all about your expectations; if you’re comparing it to a luxury vehicle, it’s not going to match. My wife’s 2019 Grand Cherokee is quiet and plush. I think most Bronco buyers know what they’re getting.