Road Noise

What have you been driving?

I don't have the new Prius v, but I drive a 2010 Prius V with 17" wheels. I would like lower road noise, but it isn't bothersome to me unless I am trying to listen to the radio with other people in the car. I like to listen to baseball on XM, and I can't hear all of the calls unless I have the sound up loud enough to disturb my wife. Driving alone, there is no issue at all.

As I understand it, there are ways to add sound deadening to the Prius (or any other car, for that matter), but it hasn't been worth it to me to address the issue.

 

I used to have a Honda Civic and Accord both 2005. Naturally the Accord presented less road noise than the Civic, but my Prius V2 seems to have less road noise than both of those cars. The Prius V2 comes w/Michilin tires, which I have noticed in the past wear very well, but are noisy. I am impressed w/the entire issue of road noise w/my Prius V2. Now, I am older, grew up in the 50s/60s and listened to a lot of Jimi Hendrix and Mothers of Invention on headphones. My ears ring...but I have few regrets, especially no remorse re the Prius.

 

For purposes of comparison -- What have you been driving?

[Sorry -- Simultaneous Postings!]

 

I came from a 2002 Civic and the v is a lot quieter. I think people who switch from luxury cars to the v would be the only ones bothered by the road noise in the v. I think most newer cars have quieter interiors in the past couple of years so I would bet the 2011 Accord would be similar to the v but I'm only guessing.

 

Quieter than a 2012 Accord I test drove. Road noise only noticeable on severely ribbed concrete, the kind designed to be noisy.

 

The 17s are almost always going to be louder than the 15s but different model tires make a big difference. The Toyo Proxes A20 are a pretty crappy tire overall. When they wear out you can get something more comfortable and quieter.

 

That's a surprise to me, but I'm glad to hear it.

 

Then I'm in for a treat when I switch!

 

We had the same problem with our 2010 Prius. The car came with Yokohama tires. We replaced them last year with Michelin tires and the road noise diminished substantially. We've already said when we order a new Prius, we will insist on the Michelins.

 

We recently took our v 5 on a 2,850 mile trip over all sorts of roads. No complaints from the family for road noise (or seating comfort) at all. I will say that the tread on the 17"s will cause some interesting hums on certain grooved roads, but that goes with the territory.

Overall, we were very pleased with the v, and didn't miss our 2005 Sienna at all.

 

I drive the Pa Turnpike on a weekly basis. The Prius V IS a library!! I know there must be quieter cars, but I can't imagine how that's possible.

 

Love my Prius III/3 but the road noise is my biggest complaint. Only thing that seems to really work is changing the tires and if you do a Search of the tire conversations, you will find some good tires that seem to significantly reduce road noise.

Ski season is coming so Nokian WG's are going on for the winter no matter what the road noise. Windows are up in the winter so less of an issue. But come next Spring, I think I will invest in some new tires with road noise being the main buying decision.

 

Glad to hear it! The v is considerably quiter than the hatchback

The v is considerably quieter than the hatchback.

 

Haven't seen any testing on either one to provide an accurate answer.

 

I think you'll like the Primacy MXM4.