Does the Toyota Corolla have a lot of road noise?

The Toyota Corolla is generally quiet for its class, delivering a comfortable highway ride, but the level of road noise can vary by trim, tire choice, and road conditions. Hybrid variants tend to be the quietest, while models with larger wheels and low-profile tires can reveal more tire and wind noise at speed.

This article examines how road noise shows up in the current Corolla lineup, how it has evolved across generations, and practical steps you can take to reduce unwanted sound inside the cabin.

How road noise shows up in the Corolla

The main drivers of cabin noise in the Corolla include powertrain choice, tires, suspension, exterior sealing, and fast-moving air around the body. Over the years, Toyota has worked to improve NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) in the Corolla, with hybrid variants often benefiting from quieter operation at cruising speeds and tighter engine noise during acceleration on gasoline models. The exact experience, however, varies by year, trim, and road conditions.

Hybrid vs gasoline models

• The hybrid variant generally delivers smoother, quieter cruising thanks to electric-assisted low-speed operation and torque delivery, especially in city driving.


• Gasoline trims rely more on the combustion engine and exhaust note, which can become audible during acceleration or at higher revs.


• At steady highway speeds, hybrids are commonly perceived as quieter than non-hybrids in the same generation.

Conclusion: If quietness at cruising speed is important, the hybrid is typically the better choice within the Corolla lineup.

Wheels, tires and suspension

• Larger wheels (17–18 inches) with low-profile tires tend to transmit more road texture and tire noise into the cabin than smaller wheels with higher-profile tires.


• Tire type matters: touring or quiet-tuned tires can reduce road roar compared with performance or sport tires.


• Suspension condition and alignment affect perceived ride quietness; worn components can amplify vibration and thump noises from the road.

Conclusion: Tire and wheel choices are a major determinant of interior noise levels, sometimes more noticeable than the powertrain itself.

Exterior sealing and wind noise

• Wind noise rises with speed and can be more noticeable on rough pavement or crosswinds.


• Open or partially open sunroofs can add wind noise at highway speeds.


• Quality of door seals, weatherstripping, and body stiffness all influence how much wind and road noise penetrates the cabin.

Conclusion: For most drivers, wind noise is manageable, but certain configurations (like open sunroofs or very large wheels on poor surfaces) can increase it noticeably.

What reviewers say about road noise in current Corolla models

Independent reviews generally describe the Corolla as competitive for its price, with noise levels that stay within the expected range for a compact sedan. The hybrid variant is frequently highlighted for its smoother NVH, while some trims with larger wheels and sport tires can introduce more noise, especially on rough pavement.

• Car and Driver notes that highway noise is generally well-contained on standard trims, but louder tires on some models can raise the cabin’s sound level.


• Edmunds finds the Hybrid Corolla to be noticeably quieter during cruising, whereas certain gasoline trims may show more engine/drivetrain noise under acceleration.


• Consumer Reports reports solid ride quality for the class, with tire choice and road surface as the main variables affecting interior noise.

Conclusion: Across sources, the Corolla isn’t considered particularly loud for its price, but tire selection and road conditions can shift the perceived noise level significantly.

Tips to minimize road noise in the Corolla

If you notice more cabin noise than you’d like, here are practical steps that can help reduce it without major overhauls.

• Choose tires known for quiet operation (touring or comfort-focused tires) rather than aggressive performance tires.


• Consider wheel sizes and tires that prioritize ride comfort; smaller wheels or higher-profile tires can reduce noise on rough roads.


• Maintain proper tire pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended levels; both under- and over-inflation can increase road roar.


• Inspect door seals, weatherstripping, and window seals for wear or gaps and replace as needed to improve sealing against wind noise.


• If available for your trim, consider sound-deadening or acoustic glass options and ensure doors and panels are properly installed with adequate seals.


• Keep the suspension in good condition (alignment, shocks/struts, bushings) to minimize vibration and noise transmission from the road.


• Limit sunroof usage if you notice wind noise when it’s open; close it or use a different ventilation method to reduce airflow noise.

Conclusion: Small, targeted choices in tires, seals, and maintenance can noticeably reduce road noise in most Corolla configurations.

Summary

In sum, the Toyota Corolla is not generally loud for a compact sedan, delivering a reasonably quiet cabin at highway speeds—especially in hybrid form. Noise tends to rise with larger wheels, sport-oriented tires, and rough road surfaces. If quietness is a priority, consider a hybrid model and opt for tires and wheel setups that emphasize ride comfort and low rolling noise, while ensuring proper maintenance of seals and suspension. With thoughtful choices, most drivers will experience a comfortable, quiet ride in the Corolla.

What is the weakness of the Toyota Corolla?

Common cons for the Toyota Corolla include occasional reliability issues like excessive oil consumption and transmission problems, especially in specific model years, along with a less refined interior and tighter rear seat space compared to some competitors. Other complaints mention a noisy ride, a sometimes clunky transmission, and some older infotainment systems being buggy. 
Performance and driving experience

• Ride and noise: The ride can be firm and harsh on uneven roads, and road and turbo noise can be noticeable. 
• Transmission: Some models, particularly earlier ones, have reported issues like jerky or clunky shifting, though newer models have improved. 
• Engine: Some base engines can feel underpowered and loud. 

Interior and space

• Rear seat: The rear seat can be tight, especially for adult passengers. 
• Cargo space: Trunk space is not as large as some competitors, and the rear seats may not fold perfectly flat, making it harder to load long or bulky items. 
• Interior materials: Some interior materials and finishes can feel less polished than those in rivals. 
• Storage: Personal item storage inside the cabin is somewhat limited. 

Reliability and maintenance

• Oil consumption: Some older models, particularly from 2000-2002 and 2009, are known for excessive oil consumption, which can lead to costly repairs. 
• Transmission issues: Certain model years have reported issues with automatic transmissions failing or not shifting correctly. 
• Other common problems: Depending on the model year, other issues have included EVAP system problems (leading to check engine lights), faulty mass airflow sensors, and EGR system complications. 

Other potential downsides

• Infotainment: Early infotainment systems sometimes had bugs, such as Bluetooth issues, although software updates can often fix these. 
• Build quality: Some owners have noted issues with flimsy materials, such as interior door panels, or exterior elements like window molding cracking. 
• Doors: Some models have a tendency for doors to fill with water. 
• Aesthetics: Some owners dislike the front grill design on certain newer models. 

How to reduce road noise in Corolla?

To reduce road noise in a Toyota Corolla, install sound-deadening material on the floor and wheel wells, as these are the most effective areas. Other effective methods include treating the doors and replacing tires with quieter ones. For a more extensive approach, apply sound-deadening mats to the floor, doors, and trunk, or use liquid sound-deadener in the wheel wells.
 
This video demonstrates how to apply sound deadening material to your car's trunk: 58sSoundproof GuideYouTube · Jan 4, 2025
Sound-deadening treatments 

• Floor and firewall: Apply sound-deadening mats to the floor, especially in the footwells and under the seats, and up through the firewall. This is the most effective area to target for road noise reduction. 
• Wheel wells: Apply liquid sound-deadener or sound-deadening mats to the inside of the wheel wells. This can significantly reduce tire and road noise. 
• Doors: Install sound-deadening mats on the inner metal of the doors after removing the door panels. This can help reduce vibrations and ambient hum, and improve audio quality. 
• Trunk: Apply sound-deadening material to the floor and metal areas of the trunk. 

Other methods

• Tires: Choose tires specifically designed to be quiet. Replacing factory tires can make a noticeable difference.
• Weatherstripping: Check and replace old or worn weatherstripping around the doors and windows to reduce wind noise.
• Professional installation: If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, many businesses can install sound-deadening materials for you, though this will be more expensive. 

You can watch this video to see how to install sound deadening material in your car's wheel wells: 59sSoundproof GuideYouTube · Sep 3, 2023

Are Toyota Corollas loud?

However, we hear from a lot of customers that they have issues with Toyota Corolla noise. Similar to Toyota RAV 4 noise issues, complaints include, vibrating doors, loud road noise and tire noise when driving at high speeds, cabin noise, and engine noise.

What is the most common problem with the Toyota Corolla?

Common Problems with the Toyota Corolla

• Oil leaking/excessive oil use.
• Jerky acceleration.
• MAF sensor problem.
• Car vibrating.