Quu Report: Radio Ubiquitous But Harder to Find

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | 0:59am CT

Quu

Quu has released its 2026 In-Vehicle Visuals Report, offering a detailed look at how radio is positioned across the top 100 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. The study, now in its third year, highlights both the continued presence of broadcast radio and the growing challenges it faces inside increasingly digital dashboards.

According to the report, AM/FM radio remains universally available, with 100% of surveyed vehicles including both bands. However, accessibility is becoming a concern, as only about 35% of vehicles feature a dedicated radio button or widget within the infotainment interface, and fewer than 10% retain a physical radio control.

The findings show that in-car experiences are becoming more visually driven. All vehicles surveyed display text information for radio, while 65% support visual elements such as album art, station logos, and other imagery. As dashboards evolve into screen-based environments, the report emphasizes that radio must compete not just on audio, but also on visual presentation to remain discoverable.

At the same time, built-in streaming apps continue to expand, now appearing in 53% of vehicles, up significantly from previous years. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain nearly universal at 98%, while SiriusXM availability has declined to 85%, reflecting a shift toward app-based and connected audio options.

The report also notes that "last touch" behavior-where vehicles default to the last audio source played-has become increasingly important. In some cases, returning to radio can require multiple steps if another source was previously used, creating additional friction for listeners.

HD Radio continues to gain ground, now included in 74% of vehicles, offering broadcasters additional opportunities through enhanced audio quality and expanded content options.

Overall, the report concludes that while radio remains widely available in vehicles, its long-term competitiveness will depend on improving visibility, usability, and integration within modern infotainment systems. Quu says the insights are intended to help the industry better understand evolving in-car listening behavior and prepare for future challenges and opportunities.