Consumer Reports on HD Radio

New Car Technologies

Your next car might have features you’ve never seen before. We’ll explain them to you

If it’s been a few years since you last bought a new car, it’s likely that new models you’re considering will have some features you haven’t seen before. Technology isn’t just marching on, it’s actually broken into a run.

But not to worry; it’s all good news. Some of these features, like higher-quality audio from HD Radio, make for a more pleasurable driving experience. Others, like navigation systems with real-time traffic reporting, make it easier and less stressful to get where you’re going. Still others, like electronic stability control and curtain air bags, can help keep your family much safer on the road. Here’s a look at some of the features you might consider.

HD Radio

High-definition (HD) digital radio allows AM and FM broadcasters to send digital signals over the airwaves to provide the listener with CD-quality sound. Unlike satellite radio, there are no subscription fees for HD radio since existing regional radio stations provide the content. The more than 1,500 existing HD stations across the nation can even send up to eight separate signals on their wavelength to provide alternative content to their listeners. And because HD radio operates on a larger broadcast spectrum than satellite radio, there is less data compression when sent over the airwaves. Soon, HD radio will become a means of two-way communication between a vehicle and a broadcaster. For example, a vehicle would send out a signal identifying itself and the automaker could send back service reminders and recall bulletins. Other future applications being explored are digital stock tickers and digital content storage for replay. HD radio is available on some BMW models, and soon to be offered by Jaguar and Hyundai.