In the open-wheel race cars I had driven previously, wind buffets your helmet violently, and the noise is deafening--nothing relaxing about it.

FORBES: One Lamborghini, One Man, 200 MPH

The engineers have done a beautiful job with wind and tire noise, opting for big acoustic blankets in the wheel wells, which quelled the roar coming from our test car's 19-inch summer tires.

WSJ: 2013 Ford Escape Titanium With AWD Review: Kick Up Your Suburban Heels | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil