The Loudest Cars That Car and Driver Has Ever Tested
The Loudest Cars That Car and Driver Has Ever Tested
We spend a lot of time talking about lateral grip and zero-to-60 mph times around here, but they're far from the only useful metrics we have to evaluate cars. For instance: every year, we test the sound pressure level in hundreds of cars at idle, at a 70 mph cruise, and at wide-open throttle. Here we've assembled a list of the loudest cars at wide-open throttle in each segment as determined by us. Don't look for subcompact crossovers here; we call those hatchbacks.
Take note: sound pressure level, measured in decibels (dB), is not strictly the same thing as loudness. Loudness is how humans perceive sounds, and it's subjective. Sound pressure level measures the change in ambient atmospheric pressure that's created by a given sound wave. They're related, but not interchangeable. With that necessary but regrettable bit of pedantry taken care of, click through to find out where in each segment you can go to find the highest decibel reading.
Anyone can build a noisy sports car. But what about an aurally pleasing cargo van?
