This. The road noise wasn't terrible with the stock Contis (we also have a Honda Fit; great car, but a road noise magnet), but the Def2s really made a difference. As one other poster noted, concrete surfaces are more noticeable. I don't have the slider window, so I'm sure that helps.
My dad's early-2000s Maxima was quite nice actually. Super quiet, really nice ride, and surprisingly good fuel economy. He switched to Maximas after the discontinuation of the Toyota Cressida.
We had a 1993 Nissan pickup (the "hardbody" as many referred to it; bought new), which was the first vehicle with CFC-free AC. In that tiny cabin (even though it was "extended"), it always felt like a Florida supermarket in there.
I had a 2004 Hyundai Elantra hatchback (the one that had the Saab-like body). Great car, great fuel economy, but seats made from Legos would have been more cushiony.