2017 vs 2018 sound proofing

Tyres have a big bearing on sound.

TOYOTA haven't said anything that I've noticed in changes to soundproofing, mainly changes in the equipment mix. But there will have been ongoing adjustments to the car as they go - which happens to all cars. It could be inadvertent - like ordering door seals from a different supplier, same specification but just work better (or worse). Didn't I read that some USA versions had thinner glass - or wasn't that finally confirmed?

Or - as happens with some cars - the 2018 was a "Tuesday" car, the 2 2017s might have both been "Friday" cars.

 

Interesting......I have a 17-1/2 two & the cabin/engine/noise (yes, could maybe even call it a "Growl") at LOW vehicle speeds (maybe 20 mph or less) is louder than our/wife's Gen 3 (no "Growl") .....

 

I haven't driven the 17, but I have an 18 and my wife and I both immediately noticed how much quieter this car is than our 13 was.

 

i thought the growl in the 17 was louder than my pip. unlikely that toyota changed anything besides tyres, it's not their usual m/o.

 

Slightly unrelated I have some 3rd gen Priuses and I found that the higher trim model with the JBL stereo has soundproofing in the doors that isn't present in the lower trim model. The soundproofing is a felt mat that hangs in between the door and the plastic panel. Anybody out there pulled the door panels off any of the fourth gen Priuses yet?

 

In general, I found my 2016 "A" (JDM spec) to be quieter than than what I remember from my family's 2014 Two (US-spec), or any number of (JDM spec) Gen 3 (of mostly lower trim levels) I've had as Ubers in the last few weeks. On that note, I found my 2016 to be louder (tire noise) than a few of the other 2016s (JDM or NZ-new spec) I have test driven while shopping. The 2 others cars I most immediately test drove around the time I test drove mine --

1. 2016 JDM "S" trim with 2016 Toyo EcoEnergy 3 15" tires.
2. 2016 NZ-new GX Touring trim (with JBL) with 2 x 2020 Michelin Defender 17" on the front, and 2 x 2016 and very worn somethings on the back.

Mine has new (2021) Mazzini Eco607 17" on all 4 corners. I can't find much about these tires. I wonder if the 1st car had the advantage of the 15"s, and then the 2nd car had the advantage of the Michelins - as they both felt a little quieter in the tire noise department. Mine is kinda the worst of both worlds - 17"s and not Michelins. They are new tires, so I'll keep em, but when it comes time to swap, I might be tempted by getting some Michelins.

But anyway - probably need a bigger sample size, but other than a bit of engine noise when you get on it, I find the car pretty quiet. Maybe because wind noise is VERY controlled, and engine noise only comes through when you're ON it - tires is the only thing you have left that you're hearing all the time. And there is a huge delta in how much noise a particular tire is going to make. But also perhaps it points to a lack of insulation in the wheel wells. Throw some dynamat in there, probably at the cost of a few MPGs - the stuff is heavy. Why do you think the CT200h was less efficient than the Gen 3 - luxury features and sound deadening material is heavy.