Short version: there isn’t ONE absolute “best” system, but some EVs clearly stand out and there are a few usual suspects you should know about. I’ll break it down by premium EVs, mainstream EVs, and then give you a quick ranking + comparison table.
1. What actually makes a good EV sound system?
When you compare systems, don’t get hung up only on “watts” or speaker count. The important bits are:
- Tuning & staging – how natural voices sound, how well you can place instruments in the “stage”.
- Cabin noise – a quiet EV makes even a “medium” system sound high-end (this is why EX90/ES90 get so much love). (volvocars.com)
- 3D formats – Dolby Atmos / 3D surround can be fantastic if well implemented (Polestar 3, Volvo EX90/ES90, Lucid Air, Taycan Burmester). (Vehículos eléctricos | Polestar España)
- Subwoofer control – deep bass that’s tight (no boom) is where many cheaper systems fall apart.
2. Heavy-hitters: best systems in premium EVs
Very roughly ranked, based on specs + hi-fi magazine tests + owner feedback:
- Volvo EX90 / ES90 – Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio
- 25 speakers, around 1,610 W, Dolby Atmos and a special Abbey Road Studios Mode that mimics different studio rooms. (volvocars.com)
- Extremely quiet cabin + very refined 3D sound; reviewers basically call it a rolling listening room.
- Porsche Taycan – Burmester 3D High-End Surround (option)
- 21 speakers, 1,455 W, 400 W active sub, Auro-3D processing – “concert hall on wheels” level. (Burmester)
- In tests it stays clean even at silly volume; one of the most “audiophile” setups you can buy.
- Lucid Air – Surreal Sound Pro
- 21-speaker immersive system with Dolby Atmos support. (Home | Lucid Motors)
- Tuned for very precise imaging; owners rave about hearing details they’d never noticed before.
- Polestar 3 – Bowers & Wilkins with Dolby Atmos
- B&W system with Dolby Atmos + Dirac room correction; Swedish hi-fi mag tests praise the massive, controlled bass and “home-cinema” level surround. (Vehículos eléctricos | Polestar España)
- If you like the “Nordic hi-fi” sound signature (clean, tight, not over-warm), this one is right there with the best.
- Volvo EX90/ES90 again (for music nerds)
- Gets an extra shout-out because the Abbey Road mode is genuinely unique – it changes the acoustic “room” to match famous studio spaces. (bowerswilkins.com)
- Gets an extra shout-out because the Abbey Road mode is genuinely unique – it changes the acoustic “room” to match famous studio spaces. (bowerswilkins.com)
- Mercedes EQE / EQS – Burmester 3D (and 4D in some models)
- Typical 3D system: ~710 W, 15 speakers in many EQE/EQS trims; the wild 4D version in S-Class has 31 speakers and seat exciters (nice to know for PHEV/ICE Mercs too). (Burmester)
- Very lush, slightly “hi-fi luxury lounge” signature.
- BMW i5 / i7 – Bowers & Wilkins Surround
- Uses B&W tech like Continuum cones and (in some ICEs) diamond tweeters, tuned specifically for BMW cabins. (bowerswilkins.com)
- Detailed, clean, slightly analytical – great if you like hearing everything in the mix.
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron – Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D
- 16 speakers, 705 W, with 3D speakers in the A-pillars; reviewers literally describe it as a “concert hall on four wheels”. (Audi Sverige)
If you are choosing purely on sound quality in the luxury EV world, you’re basically shopping in this group.
3. Mainstream EVs – which sound systems are actually good?
Here I’m thinking Tesla 3/Y, Polestar 2, EX30, ID.3/ID.4, EV6, Ioniq 5, etc.
Tesla Model 3 / Model Y – Tesla Premium Audio
- 15 speakers, dual subs, dual amps, “studio-quality sound” according to Tesla; external measurements show around 560 W peak. (Tesla)
- Very wide soundstage, strong but fairly tight bass; among enthusiasts it’s often the benchmark in this price class. Many audiophile owners are surprisingly happy with it. (Reddit)
Take-away: In the 30–60 kEUR bracket it’s one of the safest bets if you care about audio.
Polestar 2 – Harman Kardon Premium Sound
- 13 speakers, 600 W, tuned specifically for Polestar 2. (Vehículos eléctricos | Polestar España)
- Good clarity and front staging; some owners complain that the rear fill is weak, so it’s more of a “front-row” system. (Reddit)
Take-away: Very nice if you’re usually the one driving; slightly less impressive for rear passengers vs Tesla/EV6.
Kia EV6 – Meridian Surround
- 14 speakers, Meridian surround with special “Horizon” sound modes. (meridian-audio.com)
- When EQ’d properly it can sound big and immersive, but some owners feel the rear speakers are too quiet out of the box and need tweaking. (Reddit)
Take-away: Potentially excellent, but you may need to play with settings to unlock it.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 – Bose
- Optional Bose 8-speaker system tuned for the Ioniq 5 cabin. (automotive.bose.com)
- Reviews and owner posts say it’s fine but not spectacular; several people complain the amp is underpowered until you upgrade it. (Reddit)
Take-away: Better than base systems, but not at Tesla/Polestar/EV6 level if you’re picky.
Volvo EX30 – Harman Kardon Soundbar
- Uses a dashboard soundbar plus additional speakers; enthusiasts mention ~1040 W with 9 speakers vs 600 W/12 spk in XC40. (Reddit)
- Big output and neat packaging, but the sound-bar layout is controversial with audiophiles – some love it, some say it limits ultimate precision.
Take-away: Loud, modern, fun; not quite B&W-Volvo or Tesla-premium tier in refinement, but good for the class.
VW ID.3 / ID.4 – Beats / Harman Kardon
- ID.3 Beats option: 7 speakers + subwoofer, ~400 W. (Vwidtalk)
- Newer ID.4 Pro S trims can get a Harman Kardon setup (9 speakers + sub). (Reddit)
- Feedback is mixed: decent punch and clarity, not really “wow”, and earlier cars with the basic system are quite average.
Take-away: The upgraded systems are worth it if you like music, but they’re not segment-leaders
4. Fun / “gimmick” systems worth noting
These aren’t necessarily the best hi-fi, but they’re fun:
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – N Active Sound+
Uses 10 speakers (8 inside + 2 external) to generate synthetic “engine” sounds and other soundscapes; Motor Authority and others highlight how it adds drama and fun rather than being pure hi-fi. (the-sun.com) - Tesla “Immersive sound” & toybox stuff
Not true audio quality features, but all the streaming apps, karaoke and sound effects make the Tesla cabins fun places to play with sound.
5. Quick comparison table (simplified)
Prices and exact watt figures depend on trim & options; “power” is approximate where given by the manufacturer.
| Segment | EV / Model | Best audio option | Speakers / Power (approx.) | 3D / Atmos? | Short verdict (sound only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | Volvo EX90 / ES90 | Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity | 25 spk, ~1610 W | Dolby Atmos + Abbey Road modes (volvocars.com) | Among the very best overall; quiet cabin + crazy good tuning |
| Premium | Porsche Taycan | Burmester 3D High-End | 21 spk, 1455 W | 3D (Auro-3D) (Burmester) | Super clean, powerful, proper “audiophile toy” |
| Premium | Lucid Air | Surreal Sound Pro | 21 spk, Atmos | Dolby Atmos (Home | Lucid Motors) | Very immersive, detail monster |
| Premium | Polestar 3 | Bowers & Wilkins + Dirac | (High-end multi-spk setup) | Dolby Atmos (Vehículos eléctricos | Polestar España) | Huge, precise soundstage, great bass |
| Premium | Mercedes EQE/EQS | Burmester 3D (or 4D in some) | ~15–31 spk, 710–1750 W | 3D / 4D (Burmester) | Luxurious, smooth, very “hi-fi lounge” |
| Premium | BMW i5 / i7 | Bowers & Wilkins Surround | High-spec multi-spk | 3D processing | Clean, detailed, slightly analytical |
| Premium | Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron | Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D | 16 spk, 705 W (Audi Sverige) | 3D | Big, cinematic sound, great for long trips |
| Mainstream | Tesla Model 3/Y | Tesla Premium Audio | 15 spk, ~560 W, dual subs (Tesla) | “Immersive sound” | Best overall in the mid-price segment right now |
| Mainstream | Polestar 2 | Harman Kardon Premium | 13 spk, 600 W (Vehículos eléctricos | Polestar España) | Pseudo-surround | Very strong up front, rear stage a bit weaker |
| Mainstream | Kia EV6 | Meridian Surround | 14 spk (meridian-audio.com) | Surround modes | Great when tuned; stock settings divide opinions |
| Mainstream | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Bose Premium | 8 spk (automotive.bose.com) | No Atmos | OK but not special; many owners mod it |
| Mainstream | Volvo EX30 | Harman Kardon Soundbar | ~9 spk, ~1 kW (Reddit) | Virtual surround | Loud, modern; soundbar layout isn’t to all tastes |
| Mainstream | VW ID.3 / ID.4 | Beats / Harman Kardon | 7–9 spk + sub, ~400+ W (Vwidtalk) | No Atmos | Decent upgrade, but not a leader |
6. If you want a simple “who wins vs who”:
Very rough, purely on sound quality (not UX, range, etc.):
- Absolute hi-fi kings (EV world):
EX90/ES90 B&W ≈ Taycan Burmester ≈ Lucid Air Surreal Sound Pro ≈ Polestar 3 B&W. - Upper-mid mainstream:
Tesla 3/Y Premium ≳ Polestar 2 HK ≈ Kia EV6 Meridian. - Solid but not “wow”:
Volvo EX30 HK, VW ID.4 HK/Beats, Hyundai Ioniq 5 Bose.
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