Does the Gen 4 produce an inverter whine and whirring sound?

I suspect those with damaged hearing from past experience with open windows on the highway, loud music (sic), weapon use, etc. without proper hearing protection may not hear the inverter "hum". It's a hum at high frequency, so mostly described as a "whine".
I hear it when running EV and when regen braking, but it's not very loud. With windows up it's easier to hear than with windows open in traffic.
The other sound of course is the "save the blind" noisemaker. I really like that sound as it implies the "high tech" nature of the Prius. Now if we were driving hybrid pickups, perhaps the sound could be that of a AA fueler idling (pop rattle pop).

 

The "pop pop" sound of an old 2 cylinder John Deere tractor would be unique...

 

uuuunnnnnmmmmeeeeerrrrriiiinnnggg

True ECO mode is only available by pressing the useless/wasted hardware switch on the dash. Who uses it more than once in a blue moon, if that? Should the engine rev-up, the car would exit ECO mode and return to your designated power choice.

 

I've got to try feeling that back seat like you said

 

Turn up the radio.

 

I just switched from a 2015 Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon, it is not an uppercase v) five to a 2017 prius four touring.
The Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon, it is not an uppercase v) had the whirring sound you're talking about. I liked it because it made it sound like a spaceship.
The new prius has the sound, but it's almost non-existent compared to the Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon, it is not an uppercase v) I had...

 

lol
My son had a 2015 Prius v Five and I have a 2017 Prius Two. My son has driven both on long trips, but I think he prefers the Prius v.
He wishes his car got the mileage of the Gen 4 though. His previous car was a 2005 Prius.
I have hearing aids so I do not feel I can comment about any whirring sound.

 

I don't hear the whine or whirring sound that the OP is trying describe on gen 3 or gen 4 cars. But my 2010 (indeed all gen 3) made a scraping sound, like metal plates rubbing together, when you put your foot on the brake and motor was in regen. This sound is completely gone in the new design.

I agree with other posts that I enjoy the sound of electric motor accelerating and deccelerating from battery power. The 'save the blind' spaceship noisemaker can go. If I knew how to unplug it I would do so.

 

The batteries get really hot during charging, much more than draining.
It might not be the power mode draining so much, but the overspeed and breaking later on that heats it.

 

I love the whirring sounds. Gen.IV is much quieter and refined, but even in my other Prius' I had, my passengers would comment on how "cool" or "space shippy" it sounded. To each their own.

 

Duct tape may help with that particular type of whine. But application and retention both have their challenges.

As for my PiP, I get a kick out of its quirky little noises, and passengers usually comment on how quiet it is. However, the "save the blind" sound was kind of mysterious till I found out that it was there for a reason. I doubt it actually helps, but it's good to know it isn't a harbinger of doom.

 

Snigger! Yes my teenaged grandson thinks the lack of noise is weird, but in a nice way.

PS. We don't have the blind alerter noise over here. Ours is a near-stealth mode!​

 

It's the pedestrian warning sound. I can't hear it very good, but my wife hates it. There's a speaker under the car. That's all I'll say.

 

It will soon be required on all new Hybrids & EVs in the US.
Quiet Car Rule: New EVs Must Emit Warning Sounds In US By 2019

 

Duct tape.

 

So will that be outlawed in 2019?