The nighttime effect is worth a mention too, providing some of the most hair-raising stages you'll ever come across. Sound wise, things are kept pretty much functional, rather than trying to over do things. This suits the game fine. Engine noise is convincing, and the exhaust cracks are really nicely done. The crunching sound of car against surface is also one that'll make you wince, and proclaim that you won't be doing that again.
Music is nice enough, and in arcade mode suits the game well.
There is obviously no music in the 'Rally' mode, as you need to hear your co-pilots instructions of the road ahead. If you find the co-pilot annoying, you do get signs popping up on screen to show you what is coming next. He does however give you far more information than the signs will, so it's best to use a mixture of both. This is without doubt the new king of rally, and I don't say that lightly. The graphical detail is astounding, with some of the locations portraying a superb illusion of depth.