Dolby Atmos, the dominant spatial audio technology in movie theaters and the home, has become a fixture in luxury cars from Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Cadillac and Lucid costing more than $70,000. But now, Hyundai includes Dolby Atmos audio in the new entry-level Elexio EV, a (for now) China-exclusive SUV that costs between 119,800 and 149,800 yuan (or $16,800 and $21,000).
Unlike more luxury cars that included Atmos as part of the premium package, the Hyundai Elexio will offer it as standard on all trims thanks to six built-in speakers. It is possible to increase this number of speakers to eight using an external amplifier. While it may not match the dozen or more speakers offered in Cadillac, Rivian or Lucid, enabling Dolby Atmos with six to eight speakers can provide a more immersive and enjoyable sound experience whether you're driving the kids to school or stuck in rush-hour traffic.
Streaming services Kugou Music and iQIYI will be integrated into the car, and Dolby's press release states: “Elexio residents will be able to enjoy Dolby Atmos music, movies and dramas in their cars, transforming the car's interior into an entertainment center on wheels.” (I don't condone watching movies or dramas while driving.)
Could this be the start of Dolby Atmos becoming more accessible to the masses? Having heard Atmos in several cars, I hope so. But there is no news yet about available Dolby Atmos-enabled cars in markets outside of China.
