I am taking a hard look at the 2007 RL. I test drove one today. It's a great car but I did note that I can hear the cars and trucks swishing by on the road. I had the radio off and all windows closed. I have a 2002 (5 year old) Cadillac DeVille and I can barely hear any outside noise.
This is my main concern in contemplating the purchase. I am used to a quieter car and struggling with this issue. Any thoughts?

 

bose has a system in the rl to cancel sound. but i would rather have sound proofing. i still love my 2005 RL!! you will too! make sure you drive more than one RL to be sure BOSE system is working.

 

The RL is one of the quietest autos I have driven.

That said, there are times where I do hear some higher pitch tire noise, particularly on grooved, coarse or concrete roads. The Active Noise Cancellation of the Bose system addresses lower pitch noise such as engine boom.

There may be some features or characteristics of the RL that you may want to consider. The standard Michelins do create more tire noise on some road surfaces that other model tires (though the selection is limited). Second, the RLs suspension is tuned for more performance than a Deville, and likley will transmit more noise into the vehicle. Third, Honda products have been known for more road noise in favor or suspension and performance tuning (relative to say, a Toyota product), but the RL is the antithesis of this Honda trait.

Frankly, I find wind noise and external traffic noise extremely minimal in the RL. The RLs drag coefficient is very low. I cannot say I have been in a DeVille, but they are very different automobiles. If the sporting nature and technology of the RL does not appeal to you, and soley quietness, maybe the RL is not the appropriate automobile to consider?

Lexus toughted quietness for years, but I find current Lexus models no quieter than the RL. Also the conditions of the roads will sound off differently in different models, different tire and suspension packages etc. In most conditions I find the RL eerily silent.

Perhaps you should check the major car magazines that show review details including sound (db) ratings at idle, throttle and cruising. That may better assist you finding the hushmobile you seek.

 

I agree with all the above.

In addition, did you happen to drive one of the models with the PAX tires? They will be noisier than the standard tires.

I find the RL is not the quietest vehicle in the land, but IMO it's in the 90th percentile.

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Thanks for the replies. The car was quiet as far as tire noise, engine noise, etc. When there were no other cars passing in the other lane, it was quiet. I'm specifically talking about only the sound of cars going by in the opposite direction on the road in the next lane. It seems like laminated glass or more door insulation or something like that is needed.

 

My RL is the quietest car I have ever owned. It is a lot quietier that my former TL, which I thought was really, really, quiet. Ditto on the road noise from the tires, however, but crank up the 260 watt Acura/Bose system and all that goes away.

 

Carmakers have different priorities and different manufacturing standards, and it's entirely possible your DeVille had more sound insulation in the doors and/or windows. And, as someone suggested before, if absolute quiet is tops on your own priority list, you might be happier with a Lexus, who IMO have the quietest cars around. Almost too quiet!

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For my 07 RL-Tech i find it quite opposite. I don't get much wind or external noise except for what's coming from the stock michelin mxm4 tires. I will be looking forward to the day that i change them out.

 

Not much you can do about tire noise. While you can get quieter tires, radial tires are by their nature noisy. FWIW, I think my RL has become quieter in the few months I've owned it.

LL

 

I just got back from a 2 hour road trip on interstate highways. The car is so quiet I can't rely on sound to queue me into the fact that someone is approaching on my side. I might be going deaf in my old age or you may have driven a car with a problem. Maybe the window seals on that car are bad. Try test driving another as was already suggested. The deville may be quieter (I can't say) but this is hardly a noisy car.

Good luck in your search for a new ride -- no matter what you buy