wanted to buy a prius - then I drove it....

I think some of the expectations of quiet come from all sorts of people, including many of us on PriusChat, talking about how the engine turns off and we slowly, quietly glide to a stop.

My Gen2 was very quiet, but the 2010 is much quieter. Engine noise is so distant and detached in the 2010 it is almost a problem. The Gen2 didn't have this "problem", but it still was a quiet car in terms of engine noise.

Road noise is another item. I doubt it would be that big of an issue if it weren't for the fact the ICE just doesn't contribute real noise. Still, you can hear the tires. The 2010, I believe, is MUCH quieter all around, but it isn't the same as driving a large luxury sedan.

It may not be what the buyer is interested in doing, but I agree that changing the tires out will significantly impact the road noise issue.

 

The $120 price is for the 15' wheels. Do they have these for a Prius V's 17" tires?

 

When I checked the link I saw only 15" and 16". But they're very new and more sizes could be coming along.

 

Yes, according to the spec PDF it has Prius V 17" size.

 

Thanks for correcting my well-intended reply (I must have missed that:hail:

:noidea: out:

ound:

 

I think you are right. I don't see 17" but only see the 215/60R16. Sorry about the confusion.

 

I do have to admit that my gen 2 is a bit noisy, but frankly if that is the make-or-break reason for not getting a prius, I'm not sure you are in it for the right reasons. It is one negative on the Gen 2s vastly outweighed by all the pluses that have made my experience over the last five years excellent. I look forward to trading it in for the gen 3 this fall and if it is quieter, all the better, but that is not really high on my list of reasons.

 

The condition of the pavement has much to do with cabin noise. Here is Southern Oregon where studded tires are allowed in winter expose a rocky surface that creates noise pollution. Even cement surfaces are noisy as you click click over joints. Tread on tires can be noisy as well. If you are looking for quiet take a look at Yokahoma's the next time you are in the market for a quiet ride. Noise is in the ear of the beholder. I'm not happy going down the road without my Magnaflows humming off the rear of my car. I can't live without a little drone on the inside. Last but not least, I have to have my Bose sound system turned cranked up. In my airplane it is a different story. I wear Bose headsets that cancel out the noise altogether. Running around with no engine running sounds pretty quiet to me.

Dan

 

Not being a car nut, are 17" tires, their radius or their width (as compared with the 15" tires)?

 

It is the size of the rim.

Dan

 

The 17" or 15" designation actually is the diameter of the wheel. The tire is designed to fit particular wheel diameters and widths.

The other measurements have to do with a tire's tread width (the first number expressed in millimeters) and the sidewall height (expressed as a percent of the tire's width. For my tires, 215/45 R17, the tire is 215 millimeters wide, its sidewall is 45 percent of its width, and it is designed to fit on a 17" wheel.

 

I have driven Hondas for 20 years; every model is notorious for excessive road noise, and they are consistently dinged for it in Consumer Reports. My GenII Prius has noticeably less road noise, and I have the Touring model with 16" tires. I guess it's all what you're used to...

 

Does anyone here in this PriusChat forum know of a source of actual automobile interior noise level measurements (you know, the kind using calibrated scientific instruments, rather than the human ear?)

I vaguely recall reading a magazine article (years ago) that reviewed and reported on such a study of hundreds of cars. It may have been Consumer Reports, but I'm not sure.

If such a study exists, that might shed some light on this debate.

If not, then I can't wait until some techie in this forum buys his own sound meter, conducts and reports on their experiment. Until then, I'm happy to believe that the new Prius is anecdotally quieter than most mid-sized cars.

 

Quote from Consumer Reports regarding noise testing:
Our “noise†score combines the weighted averages of objective and subjective measurements. The objective measurement is taken with a sound analyzer placed in the front passenger seat with the microphone at approximately ear level. We also measure noise levels at 40 mph on course surfaces, 70 mph on smooth surfaces, and at wide-open throttle from zero to 60 mph. Subjectively, noise level and quality is judged by five engineers driving the car over a defined “One-Day Trip†road course.

It comes at no surprise that some of the quietest cars are in the near-luxury or luxury classes. Of the 128 cars and trucks tested from the 2005 and 2006 (thus far) model years, only five received an excellent noise rating. These are the Audi A6, Cadillac DTS, Lexus GS300 and RX Hybrid, and the Toyota Avalon. To achieve this level of quietness, the interior has to be well isolated from road and wind noise and have subdued powertrain noise levels. As-tested prices range from about $33,000 for the Avalon XLS to around $52,000 for the GS300 AWD.

In general, most family sedans, minivans, and midsized and large SUVs have very good noise isolation, including CR Top Picks like the Honda Accord, Acura TL, Infiniti M35, Honda Odyssey, Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Toyota Prius. Smaller vehicles, such as the Honda Civic and Subaru Forester (also Top Picks), score a step below for noise isolation. The noisiest cars we’ve recently tested include the Lotus Elise and Pontiac Solstice. These two sporty cars rated Poor for noise isolation and were even noisy enough to make listening to the radio a challenge.

 

Noise is always relative to your what you are driving. I have a 06 camry and a 85 honda civic.The 2010 Pruis is Super Quiet to me. If you think you can find something more queit that gets 50 + knock yourself out and buy it. I say step out of line. Next please.:welcome:

 

Noise is relative. I have a 06 camry and a 85 honda civic. I think the 2010 Prius is super quiet. If you can find another 50mpg with less road noise and rep of Toyota knock youself out and get it. I say step out of the line. Next please.:welcome:

 

I just got back from a fairly long trip. I honestly don't hear any real road noise at all. The 2010 Prius is easily the quietest car I've ever owned. Maybe you have different tires on that one but for me it's very smooth and quiet.
Everyone who has ridden in the car says it's super quiet. So for my car anyway it's fairly silent.

 

Like others have said, it depends on what you're driving now. I am in a small SUV, so the 2010 Prius (I've test driven twice) is blissfully quiet to me...

 

Wow, thats alot of test driving. I've driven about half the vehicles above and about to TD the 2010 Prius. I also drive an Accord and Integra to make my comparisons. Your assessment is the same as mine in that the Fusion Hybrid is by far the quietest almost like a Lexus. Also drove a Fit which is noisy but tighter than my very well used Acura

In the other thread I've commented that the Ford is not in the class of midsizes/compacts like the Insight or Prius or Civic.

The suspension systems of the car makes a big difference and so the larger, heavier vehicles have the advantage in dampening and isolation.

My 2 cents

 

I have a Prius III with Yokohama tires. Did not notice any road noise (so far) and no one else who drove my car or in my car. Maybe the roads in Northern Michigan are smoother (really!)?