2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: Ride Could Be, Should Be Quieter

Too much road noise compared to what? Camaro? Mustang? Is it more or less than other cars in it's class?

Does it reach Honda levels?

Oh - I dunno about excessive road noise. I think my R/T is pretty quiet. No wind noise at all and I think the tires (20 inch) are pretty quiet. Of course it really depends on road surface - asphalt is quiet compared to concrete. Compared to my beater 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe the Challenger road noise is much less.

And compared to my 1969 Dodge Charger the Challenger is as noisy as a tomb. Cars have come a long way in 40 years.

Could a change in tires result in less cabin noise?

@ jeepsrt: Keep in mind the somewhat off-the-cuff nature of this blog... not every entry can provide the rigor of a full comparison test. I haven't driven our long-term Camaro nor a 2010 Mustang as much or as recently as I've driven the Challenger (haven't experienced either the Chevy or the Ford on I-5 between LA and Redding).

So I'll offer the decibel readings we've recorded for these cars at a 70-mph cruise. The Challenger's cabin is at 69.5 dB, the Camaro SS is at 70.0 dB and a Mustang Shelby GT500 is at 71.8 dB (we don't have sound readings for a regular Mustang GT, sorry).

So these numbers would indicate my anecdotal report on the Challenger can't be trusted. So form your own opinions.

@ willin58: Maybe -- if we're talking about an Accord. Not at all, if we're talking Fit or Insight.

-Erin Riches

@eriches

Thanks for the decibel readings, Like moparfool said it also depends on road surface. My Jeep has 20" wheels with runflats and is borderline excesssive with road noise on concrete, on a recent road trip to Southern California I felt it was quite a bit louder than the asphalt roads in Colorado.

As long as you can hear that sweet exhaust purr, what else is there?
After all, it is a muscle car.

So the Challenger R/T is as quiet as an Accord? I think that says something positive about the Challenger and something quite negative about the Accord.

One is a muscle car, the other a family car. Of course, as I have said all along, if car magazine and reviewers were in the past to have constantly harped and complained about the road noise of a Honda, all the time, who knows how the past might have been changed.

Car and Driver, circa 2000, Honda Accord, fun, responsive, but boy is it loud.
Motor Trend, circa 2003, Honda Accord, more responsive, but bad for your ears.
Consumer Reports, fuel efficient, yes, safe, yes, responsive, yes, loud, YES YES YES.

Reviews like that would have swayed quite a few people to not buy just because they heard it was loud. Just like many bought(buy) Honda because they were(are) told it was(is) the most fuel efficient. Not true, but that is what THEY say.

Erin don't you drive an Acura? An older small model? I am pretty sure that is not the quietest car in its class. Doesn't it suffer from the same Honda road noise issues?

@ aurakr: Nope, don't own an Acura.

Acuras are acceptible compared to the Honda models but its nowhere near Lexus levels of quietness.

Erin:

I heartily apologize for being wrong about your car. Lord knows my wife says I really good at it(apologizing) because I've had so much practice :)

I can't imagine a car with that low of decibel level is too loud. Maybe it is the quality of the sound instead. What say you?

Since I have never driven anything that could be considered quiet 69 dB seems pretty good.

I can hear just fine and never really am bothered by "road noise". Heck, I drive a mazda 3 with the 17s which is supposed to produce more road noise but still haven't really noticed it. Sensitive ears?

Drove a Wrangler for a while so I'm immune

Its a muscle car, its not supposed to be super quiet....

Car magazines dont say bad things about Accords.....Is the current Accord really one of C/Ds 10 Best again? It is hard to believe. Remember the LT Accords hard, uncomfortable seats and yes the loud ride? Honda is riding on its excellent reputation of the past and not current products.

Luxurious cruising character? We are talking about a Challenger, right? See my earlier comments about the 370Z.