Originally Posted By: jhs914
I agree about the road noise. My wife's 2012 Accord is a great car, but the road noise is inexcusable……..
Here is what Honda has done with the new 2016 Pilot, to reduce noise:
(quoted from Honda's press package).
"……..Overall, the new Pilot's comprehensive aero-overhaul pays dividends in virtually every part of the driving experience, [including] reduced interior noise levels that directly contribute to a calmer and more enjoyable ride………"
"……….Utilizing Honda's new Global Light Truck Platform structure, the 2016 Pilot's………...has 25-percent more torsional rigidity and is more tightly sealed than before, helping to provide class-leading dynamic performance along with a new level of cabin quietness befitting its status as a premium family SUV……."
"………….The new Pilot takes noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) countermeasures to the next level, positioning it at the top of its competitive set. All Pilot trims feature strategically placed body sealants, while the Touring and Elite trims add foam front and rear door acoustic barriers for additional sound attenuation. Additional NVH enhancements on all models include acoustic separators applied to the lower front portion of the doorframe, upper inside and upper outside portions of the A-pillar, the lower portion of the B-pillar, the rear portion of the rear doorframe, and the upper portion of the C-pillar……………"
"……..Special acoustic laminated [windshield] glass is used on the Pilot EX-L and above trims to help reduce noise entering the cabin. Tuned specifically to attenuate wind-noise frequencies, the windshield glass uses an outer layer of 2.0mm safety glass, a 0.7mm thick middle layer of acoustic polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and a 1.8mm inner layer for a total thickness of 4.5mm. This helps the Pilot place at the top of its class in wind-noise performance. ……….The LX and EX trims utilize 4.7mm thick laminated glass with 2.0mm outer and inner layers and a 0.7mm regular PVB middle layer………."
"………..In addition, Pilot LX, EX and EX-L trims have 5.0mm tempered front door glass and 4.0mm tempered rear door glass, while the Touring and Elite trims are further advanced with acoustic 4.8mm laminated front door glass and 5.0mm tempered rear door glass…………."
"……….The stiffer new body structure allows for more flexibility in optimizing the suspension tuning to deliver significant gains in both dynamic handling performance and better isolation of road noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)…………….."
"…………..The upper front damper mounts provide a “triple path" load-bearing system that helps absorb road vibration and harshness…………."
"………At the rear………….softer bushings are calibrated to reduce road noise without compromising handling………"
"…..The Pilot's engine, transmission, and front and rear suspension systems are mounted on rigid steel subframes. These subframes attach to the unit body at rubber-isolated mounting points that help keep powertrain and road noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) out of the passenger cabin…………"