In-Car Entertainment System

2025 may very well be remembered as a watershed year for in-cabin entertainment. The writing’s been on the wall for years, but it was impossible to ignore during the avalanche of news and announcements from CES 2025. Although I did not attend this year’s show, every report I’ve read and conversation I’ve had points toward one overarching theme: the car has become the new entertainment frontier.

Most of us are already accustomed to the idea of streaming music in our vehicles or using smartphone connections like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. But the next wave goes far beyond that. Automakers are partnering with major electronics and streaming-media companies to transform what was once just a “car stereo” into a full-fledged, in-cabin AV system—screens, broadband Wi-Fi, voice assistants, sophisticated DSP, noise cancellation, and more.

I’ve experienced a taste of this transformation firsthand after purchasing a Hyundai IONIQ 5 equipped with a Bose audio system, using Apple CarPlay. Between the expansive screens, immersive sound, and built-in connectivity, it’s clear that “car entertainment” is no longer just a radio and a pair of speakers.

A New Use Case for Electric Vehicles
What’s fueling this rapid evolution? Look no further than the advent of electric and hybrid vehicles, which harbor large batteries capable of powering advanced entertainment systems—even when you’re parked. Consider how EV charging sessions often require you to spend 20 minutes, a half hour, or sometimes longer at a charging station. Instead of staring at the dashboard, you can seamlessly queue up a Netflix episode, dive into a gaming session, or check out the latest 4K concert stream—complete with high-fidelity audio. Heat or air conditioning runs silently in the background, leaving you in a cocoon of comfort and sound.

The Power of Partnerships
Of course, OEMs aren’t going it alone. We’ve seen numerous partnerships between audio luminaries and carmakers: Mark Levinson with Lexus, Burmester with Porsche, Bowers & Wilkins in select BMW and Volvo models, and Macintosh systems in vehicles like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Klipsch and Infinity recently joined forces, proving that audio brands renowned for home speakers see an opportunity to make their mark in automobile cabins. Klipsch also works with Ram and Nissan. I even recently rode an IKEA EV that had a Meridian sound system. Until recently, who would have ever thought of such a combo?

The goal, in many ways, is simple but revolutionary: treat the interior of the car like a finely tuned listening room. Thanks to the limited, well-known dimensions and occupant positions in a vehicle, sophisticated algorithms can apply room correction and precise time alignment to an extent that isn’t always possible in a larger, more complex living room. Add to that advanced active noise cancellation that virtually silences city traffic or road noise, and you start to realize just how immersive in-cabin experiences can become.

A Sea Change in Entertainment
None of this suggests the living room, dedicated home theater, or a good pair of headphones has become obsolete. Rather, we’re living through a major expansion in the spaces where high-quality audio and video can be enjoyed. We used to see mobile AV as a niche, mostly for people who installed big subwoofers or rear-seat DVD players. Now, automakers themselves are rolling out built-in “mini home theaters on wheels,” complete with seat-back screens, multi-channel sound, and streaming apps.

There’s also a lifestyle element to this phenomenon. Want to drive your EV to a scenic overlook, watch the sunrise, and catch up on a movie or a livestreamed concert in total comfort? Why not? Or how about sneaking away to the office parking garage on your lunch break for some privacy while streaming your favorite show? These scenarios have moved from being futuristic fantasies to part of the everyday user experience.

Looking Ahead
We’ve come a long way from old-school radio tuners and tinny car speakers. As automakers continue to refine battery technology, partner with top-tier audio brands, and integrate streaming services, the automobile becomes yet another hub for media consumption—on par with your home theater or your smartphone-and-headphones combo.

So, while CES 2025 may be remembered for a thousand other reasons (VR headsets, AI breakthroughs, and so on), for Sound & Vision fans, this year marks the moment when in-cabin entertainment broke away from the pack and became the real star of the show.

As far as we’re concerned, that means it’s high time to make automotive AV a central focus. After all, the way we consume movies, music, shows, and games is no longer bound by four walls—our cars are ready and waiting, charged and connected, eager for the next entertainment adventure. It's your own personal, portable concert hall.

A Hyundai Ioniq 5 parked in front of The Met Philadelphia.