The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to a reduction in engine noise, making suspension and road noise more noticeable. However, most assessments focus only on air-conducted (AC) pathways and overlook bone-conducted (BC) transmission. This study identifies key sources of vehicle noise and implements a finite-element simulation to replicate real-world driving conditions. A 12-degree-of-freedom (DOF) human body model quantifies how vibrations transmit from the vehicle structure to the head. Additionally, a detailed finite-element model of the human head evaluates basilar-membrane (BM) vibrations for both AC and BC inputs. The results indicate that BC dominates below 10 Hz, producing BM velocities up to 50 dB greater than AC. Above 10 Hz, AC prevails, showing a difference of approximately 40 dB. Notably, at frequencies of 33, 46, 67, and 80 Hz, the AC–BC difference narrows to below 10 dB, highlighting significant BC effects even at higher frequencies. These findings reveal that neglecting bone-conduction pathways can lead to an underestimation of occupant exposure to low-frequency vibrations. Therefore, comprehensive evaluations and control methods for vehicle noise should consider both AC and BC transmission mechanisms to accurately reflect human perception