Is the Prado noisy?

[McKaden]

Prado is not noisy. High noise reduction capability: The Prado's excellent sound insulation and noise reduction capabilities are commendable. Its idle noise level is higher than that of the Pajero, possibly due to the noise meter capturing the low-frequency vibrations of the engine. However, in terms of subjective auditory perception, it performs better than the Pajero at all speed ranges, including idle. Noise sources: The Toyota Prado has multiple noise sources, such as the engine, transmission, drive axle, drive shaft, cabin, windows, tires, relays, horn, and audio system, all of which can generate noise. Some of these noises are passively generated, while others are actively produced (e.g., manually pressing the horn). However, the main sources come from two aspects: the engine and the tires.

[DeIan]

As a veteran Land Cruiser Prado owner with ten years of driving experience, let me talk about the noise issue. To be honest, the wind and tire noise at highway speeds are indeed more noticeable compared to sedans, especially after exceeding 80km/h when the wind whistling around the side mirrors becomes quite pronounced – you'll need to raise your voice for normal conversation inside. However, the chassis sound insulation is decently done, with road noise feeling much more muffled than wind noise. As for the engine roar during acceleration, I actually quite enjoy that raw and powerful growl – isn't that part of the charm when driving this kind of vehicle? My suggestion: avoid overly aggressive AT tires, opt for a set of quiet highway tires instead, and ensure all door seals are tightly fitted. These modifications can elevate long-distance comfort by half a grade.

[DakotaAnn]

My friend just picked up a new Land Cruiser Prado, and I specifically tested the noise levels for them. Driving in the city is generally very quiet, and at red lights, the engine start-stop system produces no noticeable vibration. The experience on the highway is quite unique: there is indeed wind noise, but it feels like it's coming from outer space, giving a sense of distance. Tire noise is a bit noticeable on concrete roads, but it's much smoother on asphalt. The air conditioning fan is quiet at low settings, but when turned up, you can hear the airflow in the back seats. The V6 engine's sound when you step on the gas is actually quite pleasant—it has a deep, robust tone, much more refined than the strained roar of smaller turbocharged engines. I'd recommend considering the gasoline version, as the diesel version's clattering sound can be noisier.

[DelDante]

Last month, I took my family on a self-driving trip and rented a Prado, paying special attention to the noise issue. With the air conditioning on the second level in the city, the baby in the back seat could sleep peacefully. On the highway, there was indeed noticeable noise, mainly from the low-frequency booming caused by the square body hitting the wind, which basically drowned out the road noise. The five of us had no trouble chatting in the car, though we had to keep the windows closed—opening them would instantly double the wind noise. The engine sound during rapid acceleration was much more pronounced than in a sedan, as if reminding you that this is a body-on-frame vehicle. Overall, it was acceptable, as vehicles with a large chassis are like this. If you truly want quietness, you'd have to go for a Lexus RX.

[McMorgan]

The noise control of the Prado varies by scenario. On off-road terrain, the sound of gravel hitting the undercarriage is quite crisp, but the factory-installed underbody protection is sufficiently thick. On highways, tire noise largely depends on the type of tires—HT tires are quiet, while AT/MT tires produce a rumbling noise. The sound insulation in the engine compartment is relatively thin, making the intake sound quite pronounced during acceleration. The cabin exhibits noticeable resonance effects, and unsecured items in the trunk can cause rattling noises on bumpy roads. Adding sealing strips around the door frames can reduce wind noise by about 20%. For more significant improvement, investing around 800 RMB in soundproofing the four doors is recommended, which can also enhance the audio system's performance.

[Ken]

The noise insulation of the Prado depends on what you compare it with. It's half a level quieter than the RAV4 from the same brand, but slightly noisier than the Highlander, mainly due to the difference in wind noise at high speeds. Based on my actual measurements: at 80km/h cruising speed, the front row noise is 64 decibels, and the rear row is 67 decibels, primarily due to tire noise coming from the rear wheel arches. There's a trick to the engine compartment insulation – the firewall uses three layers of soundproofing material, but the mechanical engine sound at high RPMs is intentionally tuned by Toyota as a characteristic of off-road vehicles. Honestly, for a body-on-frame structure with a ladder chassis, the noise control is quite decent. If you truly seek quietness, avoid switching to off-road tires – the original tires' quiet groove design can reduce noise by 3 decibels.