A vehicle sound synthesis system is provided with a controller and a loudspeaker. The controller is programmed to receive an input indicative of at least one of a gear selection, an engine speed, and a pedal position and to generate an audio signal indicative of synthesized engine noise (SEN). The controller is further programmed to attenuate the audio signal at a first rate in response to at least one of the gear selection, the engine speed, and the pedal position indicating first vehicle conditions. The loudspeaker is adapted to project sound within a passenger compartment of a vehicle in response to receiving the attenuated audio signal.