Audi becomes the latest luxury automaker to offer Dolby Atmos immersive audio, joining a growing list of brands redefining the in-car listening experience. But for now, only select high-end models will benefit.

By Dipin Sehdev

If you’ve ever felt that your daily commute or long road trip deserved a better soundtrack—one with theater-grade sonic immersion—you’re not alone. Americans now spend more time in their cars than ever before, according to the Federal Highway Administration, clocking in a staggering three trillion miles annually on the road. In response to this automotive lifestyle shift, Dolby is extending its reach beyond cinemas and living rooms and into the driver’s seat. Starting in July 2025, Dolby Atmos will become available in select Audi vehicles, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of in-car entertainment.

Dolby Atmos in Cars: A Growing Trend

Audi’s addition to the Atmos club comes as no surprise. Dolby has been aggressively expanding its automotive presence, partnering with luxury car brands like Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Lucid, Lotus, Polestar, and most recently, Porsche. Now, Audi joins the roster with four flagship models getting the premium immersive audio treatment: the Audi Q7, Audi Q8, Audi A8, and Audi e-tron GT.

These aren’t entry-level vehicles. They represent the upper echelon of Audi’s engineering and design portfolio, a deliberate move that underscores how immersive audio remains a premium feature—at least for now.

Which Audi Models Get Dolby Atmos?

From July 2025, the following models will be shipped with built-in Dolby Atmos support:

• Audi Q7 – The brand’s luxury midsize SUV, known for its spacious interior and high-end features.

• Audi Q8 – A sportier, coupe-style SUV that blends performance with executive luxury.

• Audi A8 – Audi’s flagship sedan, a technological showcase with an emphasis on comfort and innovation.

• Audi e-tron GT – The all-electric performance grand tourer that’s as much about sustainability as it is about thrilling driving dynamics.

All models must be equipped with the Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System, which has been specially adapted to support Dolby’s object-based audio format.

No Atmos for Q5 and Q3 – Yet

Conspicuously absent from the list are Audi’s two top-selling models in the U.S. in 2024: the Q5 and Q3. While these compact and midsize SUVs continue to sell in volume, they won’t receive Dolby Atmos—at least not in this initial rollout. It’s likely a matter of hardware limitations and market positioning. The Atmos-ready Bang & Olufsen system is not standard equipment on lower trims, and Audi appears to be testing the waters with its premium offerings before considering wider adoption.

Under the Hood: Bang & Olufsen Meets Dolby Atmos

To make Dolby Atmos work in its vehicles, Audi and Bang & Olufsen collaborated on a significant overhaul of the Premium 3D Sound System, which already delivers a robust and detailed audio performance in standard configurations. The Atmos-enabled version uses a bespoke tuning profile and speaker layout that allows sounds to be positioned three-dimensionally—not just left and right, front and back, but also above the listener’s head.

While Audi hasn’t revealed the exact speaker count or wattage specifications for the upgraded systems, past iterations of the Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D setup in vehicles like the A8 have featured up to 23 speakers and 1,920 watts of amplification. With Atmos integration, those speakers become part of an object-based soundstage capable of reproducing audio with cinematic depth.

What Is Dolby Atmos—and Why Does It Matter?

Originally developed for cinemas, Dolby Atmos is an object-based audio format that allows sound engineers and artists to position audio elements in a three-dimensional space. Rather than mixing sounds to fixed channels (like traditional 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound), Atmos enables the use of audio “objects” that move fluidly throughout the listening environment.

In an automotive setting, that means vocals, instruments, and ambient effects can be placed and moved with pinpoint precision—above, behind, or even diagonally across the cabin. The result is a listening experience where music feels like it’s surrounding you from all angles, rather than just blasting from the doors or dashboard.

Streaming Atmos: How to Access It in an Audi

Atmos integration in Audi vehicles goes beyond hardware. The company is also enabling access to Dolby Atmos Music through its infotainment platform, MMI (Multi Media Interface). Audi’s Application Store, which is integrated into the MMI system, supports Amazon Music, Tidal, and Audible—three services with robust libraries of Atmos-compatible content.

To access Atmos tracks, drivers and passengers will need an active subscription to one of these services and will have to use the in-car apps via MMI. Playback control can be handled by either the driver or front passenger.

Unfortunately, unlike in the home theater world where Atmos support might be a software update away, this is very much a hardware-dependent experience. That means existing Audi owners won’t be able to retrofit their cars with Atmos support—even if they already have a Bang & Olufsen system. Audi has not announced any backward-compatible solutions, and none are expected.

Audi’s Move Reflects a Larger Industry Shift

Audi’s adoption of Dolby Atmos is more than a feature update—it’s part of a broader trend. Cars have become the third space for entertainment, following homes and mobile devices. Automakers now compete on software and in-cabin technology just as fiercely as they do on horsepower or fuel efficiency.

Atmos adds a luxury “wow” factor to the in-car experience, especially for customers who already enjoy high-resolution or spatial audio at home. As vehicles become more autonomous and infotainment systems more capable, immersive audio is poised to play a larger role in how we experience time on the road.

The push into automotive by Dolby is also being fueled by strong artist adoption. According to Dolby, 93% of Billboard’s Top 100 artists in 2024 released music mastered in Atmos. The back catalog is also growing, with classic albums being remastered in the format. That means more content than ever is available to make use of these systems.

Regional Availability and Market Rollout

Dolby Atmos will be available in all Audi connect markets, which includes most of Europe, as well as the United States and Canada. The rollout begins with the 2025 model year vehicles starting production in July, with additional regions and models likely to follow over the next 12 months.

While Audi hasn’t disclosed exactly how many units will be Atmos-enabled in the first year, the inclusion of this feature in high-volume luxury vehicles like the Q7 and Q8 suggests a substantial initial reach.

Atmos and EVs: A Natural Fit

It’s worth highlighting that the Audi e-tron GT is among the first EVs in Audi’s lineup to receive Atmos support. This makes sense for a couple of reasons.

First, EVs are inherently quieter due to the lack of engine noise, which allows for subtler audio details to be heard more clearly. Second, EV buyers tend to skew toward early adopters of technology, making immersive audio a natural value add for the demographic. Finally, Atmos complements the luxurious, futuristic feel of electric vehicles—a trend seen across the industry with Atmos already featured in electric-first brands like Lucid and Polestar.

Pricing and Trims: What Buyers Should Know

Dolby Atmos isn’t standard across the board. To access the feature, you’ll need to ensure your new Audi is equipped with the Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System, which typically comes as an optional package or is included in higher trim levels.

• On the Audi Q7 and Q8, the system is often bundled with Prestige or Technology packages.

• On the Audi A8, it may be included in executive-level trims.

• For the e-tron GT, Bang & Olufsen audio is generally standard on RS variants and optional on base trims.

Exact pricing will vary depending on regional packages and dealer configurations, but adding the B&O Premium 3D system can cost between $5,000–$7,000 USD depending on the model and market.

Final Thoughts: Atmos Is the Future of In-Car Audio

With this move, Audi solidifies its place among luxury brands redefining what’s possible in automotive audio. While it may not be accessible to every buyer just yet, Dolby Atmos is rapidly moving from novelty to necessity in premium segments.

And for those lucky enough to experience it, the result is more than just a music upgrade—it’s an emotional, almost cinematic experience that transforms a routine drive into something much more memorable.

As more streaming services continue to support spatial audio and as consumer demand for immersive formats grows, expect even broader adoption in mid-tier models across the industry in the coming years. Until then, if you’re looking to get lost in sound—literally—Audi’s new Atmos-equipped lineup is a compelling place to start.

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Dolby Atmos in Cars: Quick Recap

• Coming July 2025 to Audi Q7, Q8, A8, and e-tron GT

• Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System required

• Amazon Music, Tidal, and Audible supported via Audi MMI

• Only on new models; not retrofittable

• Available in Europe, U.S., and Canada

• Joins Atmos-equipped rivals like Mercedes, Cadillac, Lucid, and Porsche