Road noise

[eilros25]

I recently rented a Sport and noticed that there was a lot of road noise when sitting in the second row. The road noise seemed average when I sat in the front seats but really increased when I moved back a row. It almost sounded like a window was cracked open.

Has anyone else noticed louder than average road noise when sitting in the second and/or third row? Is it common among the 5?

 

[mrbwa1]

The OEM Toyos are pretty noisy, esp on certain surfaces. My snow tires are much quieter that the OEMs. also, you should notice more noise and rows 2 &3. Row 3 is in between the rear tires and doesn't have the mass to insulate noise that the 1st row does. The one downside to the large open wagon/van design is more pronounced noise.

 

[08M5GTGSP]

Seems with all the high-tech computerized simlulation technology these days, manufacturers could come up with lightweight, cost-effective ways to mitigate noise in less expensive vehicles....

 

[coolmazda5]

I've been used to 4cyl cars' noise for so long that I have no issues, yet I would agree with you.

Now 2 things come to mind: the massive Mazda5 greenhouse does not help the cause (it is a milk box, lol) plus the car's price is very low compared to other parts of the world, so I guess that noise-reduction R&D and materials would add to the production costs significantly

 

[62Lincoln]

I think perhaps Mazda's product development group views a certain amount of road noise as being part of Mazda's ZOOMZOOM DNA - I've read complaints of excessive road noise in most of their products. And the 5 is not diffferent. I've given serious consideration to pulling the interior apart and applying a serious amount of sound deadener, but I haven't been able to summon up the energy to do it. If I ever go down that path, I'll use products from these guys: http://cascadeaudio.com/car_noise_control/index.htm

 

[coolmazda5]

If you are looking to tear the interior apart to soundproof the car, look no further (naughty):

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123698901