The present invention provides a composite vehicle trim panel having enhanced sound transmission characteristics and a method for manufacturing the same. In the most preferred embodiment, the composite vehicle trim panel comprises a substrate layer with a first aperture, a second substrate layer with a second aperture, and a grid interposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer. The grid overlays the first aperture and the second aperture, which are aligned with each other. The first substrate layer, grid, and second substrate layer are secured to each other by compression molding to form a composite vehicle trim panel. A finish layer is then laminated to the first substrate layer. The use of the grid provides an increased open area for sound transmission through the composite vehicle trim panel over previous designs.