Hi,

I'm new to the forum... :o

I'm lookin' to buy a 05 or 06 rather soon. This site has been a great resource.

I've test driven a few xB's. Unfortunately, all of them have been where the speed limit is 40mph max.

I know it's not a lexus, but curious to know the noise level of the xB when traveling at 60-70mph.

Is there a lot wind noise?
How much does the engine labor at that speed?
Is it loud enough that it would get annoying on long road trips?

Your input is much appreciated...

thanks,

PF


I know similar questions have been posted, but not to my liking.

 

I have an '06 xB and drive it on the highway quite a bit. With stock exhaust & wheels/tires, I didn't notice any unbearable sounds from either the engine or the road. It wasn't soundproof, but definitely acceptable. FWIW, at 70mph the engine is at 3,000rpm (mine is an automatic, have heard that manuals are a bit higher) and the engine is definitely not laboring.

I did notice a fairly substantial increase in noise when I changed the exhaust to the TRD sport exhaust offered from the dealer and that gets quite annoying at highway speeds. I also have had some increased road noise when I changed to 17" wheels and low profile tires. One of my upcoming projects is to sound-deaden the vehicle with one of the products I've seen advertised/used on here.

If your planning to keep it stock, I'd say you have no worries. But, just be warned...I planned on keeping mine stock and now the list keeps growing and growing of things I've done and have planned to do to mine

Hope this helps.

 

Road noise is definitely present. On the concrete roads around here, it's simply loud. Wind noise is not an issue, unless it's pretty windy. I don't notice the wind at 70 but I do notice the wind gusts which move the xB around a bit. Exhaust noise is not loud, but it is present with the stock system. When I changed my exhaust out to aftermarket, it became necessary to sound-deaden.

 

I like my auto adjust radio It just makes the radio louder then the noise around me. I can hear my intake/exhaust combo when I get up to speeds over 60mph a good deal. As for a stock sound, cant really help you there. Wind noise is a slight problem, but mostly only if there is a cross wind.

 

i have a little bit of noise with greddy exhaust and ydr sr intake but i just keep the music levels up to blend out the noise

 

concrete sucks, who decided to cover roads in it and then put miniature groves in it? like others have said, wind noise isn't a big factor. it's primarily road noise from your tires on the surface, again concrete. no prob on asphalt. and your exhaust will definitely increase the road noise if you upgrade from stock.

however, if you crank up the music all road noise goes away.

 

concrete last longer than asphult? I dunno about anyone else, but if it keeps the orange barrels off the road, I'm all for it.

 

Concrete lasts longer, quicker to make concrete roads, and im gussing alot cheaper. The grooves keep the water from puddling on the road so you dont hydroplane and crash.

oh yeah, forgot to mention the road noise. Like previously said, concrete highways are a droning sound, but nothin the volume **** (or our older volume buttons) cant fix. the exhaust isnt that bad either, ive got the borla system. even with the windows down it isnt as bad as my old 200sx. but compared to my moms old Astro van, about the same as far as sound goes.

 

I have a 2005 wil less than 4000 miles (all sotck) and have had it on the Interstate several times and don't kind it any lounder than my old Cavalier. As far as RPM's 70 is about 3200 and 75 is 3500 on my manual gear box.

 

Overall, the xB is unquestionably noisier than a more upscale family-sedan type car like a Camry, or even other economy cars like the Corolla, but not as noisy as some of the reviews would have you believe.

Wind noise is not an issue, IMO.

The stock exhaust creates an audible drone at highway speeds that's louder if the rear seatbacks are down.

Exhaust and engine noise are particularly loud when accelerating, of course, and this is the only time the xB really reveals its sound-control limitations.

At cruising speed, you can have a normal conversation inside the car, and if you're alone the audio system is particularly clear because the dashboard speakers and the windshield glas reflection put the sound right in your face.

As has been noted, the automatic revs about 500rpm less at 70mph, and I suspect it's quieter as a result. Has a better highway EPA rating than the manual also.

Road noise can be an issue. I suspect that there are aftermarket tires that are quieter than the stock tires; that's always been the case with other cars I've owned. In addition to buzzing and whining from various non-asphalt road surfaces, bumps, gaps, joints, and other irregularities are both heard and felt.

Personally, this is one of the reasons I like the xB; I really like to feel connected to the road, and the xB is great for that. I could see it becoming tiresome on a 10 hour drive, though.

RichC

 

I've got 36,000 miles on mine w/ stock tires the only time it gets noisey is at interstate speed with the window partially open (I smoke) or when it's raining! I sound dampened mine with 2 1/2 Bulk Paks of Dyna-Mat so I'm very happy now even in the rain. By the way rain/water churning in the rear whell-wells was my major complaint...

 

ditto on sound dampening to mute the the water churning in the wheel wells and general road noise. also sound deadening the rear doors damped the road/tire noise some, and as a bonus gets rid of the tin-can sound when they close.

 

It is far from a loud car on the inside. It's cousin the Echo is louder w/o the whole box factor. It will not be silent because it is a 15,000 dollar car. No need to blair the radio because of motor or road noise either. Dyna-mat it if it is an issue. that stuff will do wonders!

 

I don't really notice an unbearable noise...sounds like a car.

 

I find road noise to be the biggest problem. When I hit this freshly paved stretch on the freeway, there is a huge difference in sound.

I have the www.precisionmuffler.com axleback for the auto tranny. Much less drone at cruising speeds than many of the round canisters. I don't mind the sound, my wife gripes sometimes but I also drive differently when she's with me and can't always crank the tunes like I usually do...

 

I'm new to the forums here as well. I have the same concerns as you since most of my driving will be done on expressways.

Today I was able to take an xB onto the expressway for an extended demo ride thanks to a super cool sales manager.

This was a new automatic xB that was lowered and riding on 18" rims.

Around town the ride was smooth and compliant and the handling was tight and responsive (but you all probably all already knew that)

Once I got onto the entrance ramp the little xB merged into traffic without hesitation. I quickly moved over to the left lane and settled in at 70 mph. I had the radio off and I really didn't think the wind noise was bad at all. I then accelerated to 75 mph for a bit and again, it wasn't like, "oh my gosh, I can't hear myself think" It was FINE. I even said out loud, "hey, this isn't too bad"

Currently, I drive a stock 2005 Subaru WRX and I want to say the xB even seemed a little quieter.

There's a little bit of engine drone but it's not that bad.

I'd woudld imagine that a stock xB (riding on stock wheels) would be a little quieter.

In the end, I was quite impressed. I don't think you need to crank the music or worry about having a conversation with your passengers. As long as you don't expect it to be 'luxury car' quiet I think the noise levels are acceptable.

Good luck!

 

with a Webasto panoramic sun roof, CAT exhaust and Injen intake, kind of noisy. But what the hey, I like the sound. Just turn the music louder.