How loud is the Insight?
Road noise is high due to the hard, low-rolling-resistance tires. Wind noise is very low due to the excellent aerodynamics. Most people are unable to detect any additional sound when the electric motor is providing assist. There is a slight electrical motor sound that some people notice during regenerative braking. When stopping at an intersection, the auto stop feature makes the interior very quiet, with the only sounds being any accessories that are on (windshield wipers, etc.) There is very little sound outside the Insight; people often comment on how quiet the engine is. Here are interior sound level figures reported by Car & Driver for the Insight, along with some other cars that we selected for comparison purposes.
