The Tesla owner and Reddit member known as “OrbitalATK” noticed elements in the latest version of the Model Y that are designed to improve noise inside the cabin. He snapped a picture of new double-paned windows to share on the TeslaMotors subreddit.
Excessive noise within the cabin, where passengers and their cargo ride, is a fairly common complaint for electric vehicle and hybrid vehicles. Most of the noise comes from air that the vehicle has to effectively “push out of the way” while in operation and wind that hits the vehicle. As the above video shows, the noise can get quite annoying for Tesla owners who like that the moving parts under the hood make less sound but dislike the noise being made by the Tesla’s interaction with air outside the vehicle.
There are some aftermarket kits that can address this problem. Making more aerodynamic vehicles might also help some, but there is a limit to how much aeronautical engineers can do to reduce noise in vehicles that might have to hold up to 7 adults and can’t fly (yet).
The cabin noise appears to be especially bad in the Model 3. One consumer brought data showing that the Model 3 was in the bottom 50% of cabin noise ratings to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s attention in October 2019. At the time, Musk said that Tesla was aware of the issue and was working to improve the ratings in all his vehicles.
That’s significantly improved in current production
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 30, 2019
Musk has apparently decided to address the noise problem head-on by making noise-deadening features like the double-paned windows standard in new versions of his vehicle. Last year, Tesla made significant updates to the Model 3’s noise-deadening features, including improved insulation and lining for doors and windows.
Tesla is developing a decent track record for listening to consumers as part of its continuing effort to improve its vehicles and the double-paned windows to combat excessive cabin noise is merely the latest example. The company is also voluntarily recalling parts in models imported to China that could reduce drivers’ ability to control their vehicle. The Neural Network AI that will be used for the Full Self-Driving feature that is due for release by the end of the year has already collected data from more than 3 billion miles driven, which will help improve the performance of Full Self-Driving.
This may be part of the reason that Tesla vehicles hold their value well enough that, if consumers are considering buying one, then they might as well buy a new one that comes with the improved noise-reducing features. Sharp-eyed Tesla fans like OrbitalATK might even spot new features that Tesla hasn’t touted much in its frequent news releases and product reveal events.
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