2016 Prius PDF Presentations - Chief Engineer & Hybrid Engineer

Hatchbacks and wagons tend to be noisier than sedans. The sounds coming from rear wheels and suspension tend to get caught in the in the trunk of a sedan, and are free to enter the cabin on the others.

 

yeah, this is true. My lady friend has a Q5 which is really just a bloated hatchback - the parcel shelf/cargo hider weighs about 25 lbs and seems to be involved with sound deadening. When it is removed, there is a ton of road roar from the back.

 

Let's hope stated improvements translate into real meaningful, measurable results on efficiency, performance, noise and comfort. I could never understand why Toyota with all their resources can never seem to iron out high frequency bumps with their suspensions while maintaining a quiet, controlled ride like some competitors - have they ever heard of digressive compression damping profiles that provide both comfort and control. I look forward to reading reviews that don't focus too much on the looks which seems what the mags have been focusing on thus far.

 

looks like they pulled it off!