Automakers have phased out the CD player from new cars (and it’s not hard to guess why) – Jalopnik

After Subaru redesigned the Outback in 2025 and Lexus updated the IS and discontinued the RC, the auto market ended an era: no new cars are now sold with a factory CD player. When it comes to physical media, vinyl still sells mainly to enthusiasts, as a niche product with emotional appeal. The use of CDs has not been strong enough to resist the much stronger trend of using streaming services that can be controlled directly from the car’s infotainment system.

Cars abandon the CD player about 40 years after first use; Until not so long ago, buyers could still find several car models. There are still arguments in favor of that technology, such as not needing an internet connection or a paid subscription, but the reasons against using the CD player in cars appear to be stronger or at least more convincing to the masses.

The most likely reason for automakers to abandon CD players was to respond to a change in consumer behavior. People have turned to streaming services because they are easy to use; it is possible to easily connect the car’s infotainment system to their preferred service and choose their songs from millions of options. The use of CDs forced them to stick to a limited number of albums, to carry a heavy CD case and to accept the permanent risk of forgetting or even losing their CDs at home.

Offering both streaming and CD connectivity was the most intuitive solution, ensuring the car would offer options for everyone. However, the fact that the CD player is a physical device has become a problem over time: it adds weight, which directly affects mileage, and imposes restrictions on the dimensions of the other elements of the car’s center console. As demand for CDs continues to decline, installing CD players in cars was no longer worthwhile.

That does not mean that CDs no longer have notable qualities. Besides paying for it only once and not needing internet, you get improved sound without having to listen to ads or use multiple menus. However, if you still want to listen to CDs in new cars from now on, you will have to find other solutions. A common option is to purchase a portable CD player, which connects to the car’s infotainment system via the USB port or auxiliary input.