2021 4Runner has some serious sound insulation!

[Jetboy]

Safety Glass on all the side windows? Seems like that would open up a whole new safety issue if someone were trapped in the car.

Yes. Laminated side glass is now requirement unless the rule was delayed for covid or something. Keeping passengers inside the car during collisions saves more lives than the added difficulty of exiting through the laminated windows. The rule is FMVSS 226. Sound deadening side glass is basically just laminated side windows and has been used for a long time by some manufacturers mostly in luxury cars. Technically the rule requires ejection mitigation for the entire window area and you could have some other mechanism to do that, but I think practically laminated windows are the functional solution for most cars.

You can read all about the analysis here if you're super bored:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/fmvss/Ejection_mitigation_FR_Jan2011.pdf

 

[StuB]

We just last month took delivery of a '22 TRD Off Road Premium to bookend our '10 Trail first production year 5th generation T4R. Identical drivetrains etc. between the two, and both stock with 265/70-17 C-load BFG All Terrains. What I can emphatically say, is that the NVH package on the '22 is significantly more robust than on the '10. The '22 is much quieter than the '10. I was really taken aback by how much quieter the '22 is as I was assuming the only difference would be in up to date multi media enhancements having never driven a later model year 5th gen before.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Safety Glass on all the side windows? Seems like that would open up a whole new safety issue if someone were trapped in the car.

It wasn’t a big enough deal to prevent manufacturers from doing it. My 2004 Dodge Durango has laminated front driver / passenger glass, as does my 2012 Range Rover L322. I actually find it odd that my 4Runner doesn’t.


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[Charles Bronson]

This happens as you age and your hearing only gets worse.

Truth!

I don't find our 2020 4Runner ORP to be overly quiet or very refined. It's put together very well and has no rattles after nearly 2 years. If it's not rattling now, then I don't expect to rattle much in the future.

I've had every door card off, the rear hatch cover off, the entire rear cargo floor and rear seats out. There is next to NOTHING in the way of sounding deadening other than some foam blocks and thin foam fabric on the backside of the door card/panels. It is a stark difference from my 2016 BMW M235 which has very heavy rubber foam insulation all over the backside of the interior panels. That car is a quiet bank vault in comparison to the 4Runner. The sheet metal on the BMW is also way thicker.

I also note that the interior volume increased a decent amount on the 4Runner when we traded out the stock all season tires for a set of Nitto all terrain tires (same ones used on the Pro).

The OP has a Nightshade which is equipped with street based all season tires. That certainly makes a difference in terms of tire noise. I have a hard time believing that the Limited and Nightshades come with more sound deadening.

 

[TRDHULK]

I actually agree; the 4Runner is really quiet for a vehicle at its price point.

But if you want to fix that, throw on some MTs! :dance:

 

[Jrunr]

I have a 21 TRD Pro and the best thing I ever did for noise is swapping out the TRD exhaust. That made things MUCH quieter.

I will also be adding sound dampening to the rear fenders and both from and rear doors. I am sure that will make a pretty big difference as well. I am curious as to how much improvement I would get from adding some density to the plastic wheel well covers (like bed coating or rubberized undercoating).

Any other thoughts on the best way to reduce road noise inside the cabin. (Keeping my Nitto Ridgegrapplers).

 

[Charles Bronson]

I have a 21 TRD Pro and the best thing I ever did for noise is swapping out the TRD exhaust. That made things MUCH quieter.

^This. That damn exhaust was "exhausting" on the highway. Huge mistake to have added to our ORP. It only lasted 6 months before we put the stocker back on. Now that $700 exhaust sits in the basement.

I will also be adding sound dampening to the rear fenders and both from and rear doors. I am sure that will make a pretty big difference as well. I am curious as to how much improvement I would get from adding some density to the plastic wheel well covers (like bed coating or rubberized undercoating).

Any other thoughts on the best way to reduce road noise inside the cabin. (Keeping my Nitto Ridgegrapplers).

With the TRD exhaust, I used 2lb mass loaded vinyl as sound deadening across the whole rear cargo floor and under much of the rear seats. It didn't do much in the way of reducing the resonating/drone of the TRD exhaust. Since that exhaust was so loud on the inside, it wasn't obvious if it cut down on road noise.

It's my understanding that most of the road noise in cars comes from interior fender areas, the firewall, windows (i.e., thickness), and to a smaller extent, the cargo floor if it's an SUV or hatchback. Surprisingly, not a ton of noise comes through the doors themselves on vehicles assuming they have good exterior edge and interior seals which the 4Runner does. Adding deadening to the doors is more helpful with respect to capturing the best audio quality from a speaker.

 

[Horsethief]

I find that the wind noise is low, even with the sunroof open. I have a 2007 Volvo XC70 wagon as well, and just opening up the sun shade for the sunroof. Introduce is more wind noise, and having the sunroof open on the highway is almost unbearable.

On the other hand, I feel like an unacceptable level of engine noise makes it into the cabin of the 4R, and I find the 4.0 very unpleasant sounding. In the Volvo, I hear very little mechanical noise from under the hood.

 

[RunTheJoules]

On the other hand, I feel like an unacceptable level of engine noise makes it into the cabin of the 4R, and I find the 4.0 very unpleasant sounding. In the Volvo, I hear very little mechanical noise from under the hood.

Lol

The 4R has to be the quietest and smoothest vehicle I've owned. Even the TRD exhaust is mild and only becomes noticeable on hills/mountains or when you put the pedal to the floor.

 

[baldrik78]

On the other hand, I feel like an unacceptable level of engine noise makes it into the cabin of the 4R, and I find the 4.0 very unpleasant sounding. In the Volvo, I hear very little mechanical noise from under the hood.

I don't know why they made 1GRE-FE sound like a diesel...but they did. The whole valve train is just noisy.

 

[RobS10]

I don't know why they made 1GRE-FE sound like a diesel...but they did. The whole valve train is just noisy.

It is a bit "tickey" sounding, even at idle.

 

[Charles Bronson]

I don't know why they made 1GRE-FE sound like a diesel...but they did. The whole valve train is just noisy.

Yeah, V6s are inherently ugly sounding engines in most cases. The big displacement 1GRE-FE is pretty rough sounding under heavy throttle and is rather rough in terms of vibration once rpms go beyond 4500rpms. It's not a motor that is real happy to rev out. It reminds me of the 3.5-4.0 Nissan VQ motors in terms of NVH.

 

[LeesWagon]

oomph.... man coming from my old power wagon this car does NOT do a good job of sound insulation. The Power Wagon was so quiet, until i took the muffler off the 6.4l HEMI. lulzz

Now if you compare it to my old Evo then yeah... its a beauty. hahaha

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Yeah, V6s are inherently ugly sounding engines in most cases. The big displacement 1GRE-FE is pretty rough sounding under heavy throttle and is rather rough in terms of vibration once rpms go beyond 4500rpms. It's not a motor that is real happy to rev out. It reminds me of the 3.5-4.0 Nissan VQ motors in terms of NVH.

You think direct injection has anything to do with it, too?


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[2021nightshade4x4]

May have solved the mystery.

What the 4Runner does not have in terms of added deadening, it makes up for with the cabin being nearly airtight.

Noticed the doors close significantly easier when they are not the last door closing. To a degree that immediately stood out to me (the world’s least observant person) in a way that no other vehicle I’ve owned (including brand new Range Rovers) does. The sunroof shade in a Range Rover provides nearly all the attenuation of outside noise. Such that you’d swear the glass was open. In a 4Runner, it’s all done by the glass, and moving the shade has no perceptible difference in noise.

A thin but airtight envelope will attenuate the highest road noise frequencies and give 90% of the perception of a plush, padded cabin. I’m sure there are more subtle differences compared to luxury autos in areas such as tire noise. But it’s doing pretty well!


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[RobS10]

May have solved the mystery.

What the 4Runner does not have in terms of added deadening, it makes up for with the cabin being nearly airtight.

Noticed the doors close significantly easier when they are not the last door closing. To a degree that immediately stood out to me (the world’s least observant person) in a way that no other vehicle I’ve owned (including brand new Range Rovers) does. The sunroof shade in a Range Rover provides nearly all the attenuation of outside noise. Such that you’d swear the glass was open. In a 4Runner, it’s all done by the glass, and moving the shade has no perceptible difference in noise.

A thin but airtight envelope will attenuate the highest road noise frequencies and give 90% of the perception of a plush, padded cabin. I’m sure there are more subtle differences compared to luxury autos in areas such as tire noise. But it’s doing pretty well!


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I think the thick side window glass helps too. It's definitely thicker than our '99 4R, and the difference in noise even when driving 25 mph, between the driver's window up and down, is significant.

 

[Charles Bronson]

You think direct injection has anything to do with it, too?

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The 4Runner is total old school. It doesn't have direct injection and is saddled by a archaic 5 speed auto. It is WAY behind the industry with it's drivetrain. It would be a really amazing truck with DI and an 8 speed auto.

 

[achtung6]

My 2022 glass isn't that great, I have 4 chips and now circular crack the size of a soda can (I think I got hit by a meteor in New Mexico, sounded like it at least) lol ... The truck has almost 14,000 miles on it now, and it's been coast to coast and seen 17 states so far. My first rock chip was on a drive down to Florida, then they just seemed to pile up thereafter. I don't tailgate and try to stay away from trucks when possible... I drove all my previous cars the same with no chip issues to speak of. I'll be looking into exterior window film protection once I get the windshield replaced, anyone tried it?

Other than that, the truck has been flawless

I can recommend ClearPlex film to protect the windshield. It has saved mine from several "meteors" with no apparent damage to the glass. It also has UV protection while being optically clear. Highly recommend.

 

[jakobe]

went from 2008 to 2022 trd orp and I noticed the quietness of the ride.

 

[ESS4RNR]

I had a 2012 Trail that sounded like a tin can when the doors were closed. My 2001 Limited and my wife's 2005 Limited sounded solid when closed. The 2012 Trail also had a lot of wind noise and road noise. I had a love hate relationship with that vehicle. About the only thing I liked about it other than being a Toyota was the KDSS. Heck, the black plastic trim scratched when you breathed or walked by it. Fast forward to today. We unloaded the 2012 Trail on a 2017 Sequoia Limited. Other than gas mileage, the sequoia is quiet, powerful, and one heck of a road vehicle for long trips. It's my wife's car. I now have a 2021 4Runner ORP. The difference between it and the 2012 Trail is night and day in quietness, ride, and comfort. I did not opt for KDSS this time around. While it doesn't fail often I have 2 friends whose KDSS have failed and cost them $3K to have them fixed. Just my 2 cents and opinion but I do really enjoy my 2021 and agree with most that it is very quiet for what it is.