Dolby Atmos, the dominant name behind spatial audio in theaters and the home, has become a fixture in luxury cars from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Cadillac, and Lucid priced upwards of $70,000. But now, Hyundai is including Dolby Atmos audio in the new entry-level Elexio EV — a China-exclusive (for now) SUV that costs between RMB 119,800 and 149,800 (or $16,800 to $21,000).
Unlike the more luxury vehicles that have included Atmos as part of a premium package, the Hyundai Elexio will offer it as standard on all trims through its six built-in speakers. There is the option of increasing that to eight speakers with an external amplifier. While this might not measure up to the dozen or more speakers offered in Cadillac, Rivian, or Lucid, the inclusion of Dolby Atmos with six to eight speakers has the potential to deliver a more immersive and satisfying audio experience while driving the kids to school or being stuck in rush-hour traffic.
Streaming services Kugou Music and iQIYI will be integrated into the car, and the Dolby press release says “Elexio occupants can enjoy music, movies, and dramas in Dolby Atmos in their cars, transforming the car cabin into an entertainment hub on wheels.” (I do not endorse watching movies or dramas while driving your car.)
Could this be the beginning of Dolby Atmos becoming more accessible to the masses? Having heard Atmos in a few cars, I’m hoping so. But so far there’s no news about affordable Dolby Atmos-enabled cars in markets outside China.