In at least one embodiment, a microphone apparatus for attachment to an exterior portion of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a microphone element, a cover, and a grille cover. The microphone element is positioned on the PCB. The cover extends over the printed circuit board and defines a first opening to enable ambient sound external to the vehicle to be transmitted to the microphone element. The grille cover is positioned on the exterior portion of the vehicle defining a plurality of openings for directly receiving the ambient sound and for transmitting the ambient sound to the first opening of the cover and to the microphone element.