[nrutledge]

For me, one of the best characteristics of my Karma is its quietness (stealth).

It is a wonderful luxury for me to commute with my thoughts at speed in near silence only interrupted by the occasional engine noise, tire whining and boom box radios of the other cars cruising next to mine.

Wondering how quiet the Karma is I used a sound level meter (originally bought to monitor my track car for those tracks with pesky sound limits) to check.

I understand that noise is subjective, low frequency vibration and other factors contributing and that my measurements are far from controlled in any fashion, but my car still does pretty well. I got 42 dB at idle and 68.4 dB at cruise (60 mph) in rush hour traffic.

For comparison I found this reference: http://sniperslaststand.blogspot.com/2008/10/quest-for-quietest-car.html

 

[drliu]

I agree! The Karma (in stealth) is wonderfully silent-- more silent than a Toyota Camry or other very quiet conventional cars.

 

[SoCalGuy]

I've used dbMeterPro for the iphone and I get about 48 when sitting parked, and between 59-66 at speed (60mph-70mph) in Sport with the radio off

 

[rex]

I've used dbMeterPro for the iphone and I get about 48 when sitting parked, and between 59-66 at speed (60mph-70mph) in Sport with the radio off

If you can, Please post how it compares to another car, like Porsche panamera or something using same device. That would be cool to see side by side.

 

[trekguy]

The Lexus LS460 was always used as the benchmark for quietness and serene transport. After a back-to-back test drive with the Karma, I found it to have more tire noise with those 22 inchers.

 

[nrutledge]

So here is the base Panamerica 4 with the A/C and fan off at idle, 54.2 dB. The other models with the bigger engines, the turbos, etc at the dealership were sold. The fan made a signficiant difference when on - 59.1 dB, engine idle was noticable. When I did the Karma the fan was off.

Obviously, this is not a scientifically valid assessment - but the Porsche is obviously louder with a great classic engine sound.

 

[SoCalGuy]

Today on the Model S I got between 58-63 or so at 70mph...so pretty comparable to the Karma.