Quu has released its 2026 In-Vehicle Visuals Report, and it shows an increase in HD Radio inclusion in new models.
According to the study, of the top 100 best-selling models in the U.S., 74% of 2026 models came equipped with HD Radio. That’s an increase from 2024, when the figure was at 70%, as well as compared to 2025, when it dipped to 67%.
HD Radio trails AM/FM Radio. 100% of new models were still equipped with terrestrial radio. 85% of new vehicles featured SiriusXM, down from 94% in 2025.
The Quu data shows that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay remained at 98%, identical to the past two studies.
“In our 3rd year, trendlines are emerging. Screens are everywhere in vehicles. Dashboards are getting smarter and more intuitive to use. Audio is now almost always paired with a visual,” said Steve Newberry, CEO of Quu. “What listeners see impacts what they hear. For radio, the challenge isn’t availability—it’s discoverability. Ensuring sound is seen isn’t optional. It’s essential.”
While radio remains ubiquitous in new models, the ease in finding the medium has changed. According to the data from Quu, only 35% of new models feature a dedicated “radio” button. That’s down 36% from 2024 but up from the 26% seen in the 2025 study. However, only 10% of those buttons are actually physical buttons. The remainder is a touch-screen icon.
68% of new models surveyed display information on multiple screens. “The growing presence of large information displays in vehicles means radio is no longer just heard — it is seen,” Quu said of the findings.
Quu has scheduled a webinar to discuss the findings. It is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th at 3 PM ET. Joining the seminar are Newberry, McVay Media President Mike McVay, Xperi Senior Vice President of Global Broadcast Radio Joe D’Angelo, and Jacobs Media Vice President/General Manager Paul Jacobs and President Fred Jacobs. To register for the free webinar, click here.
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