The 2026 Subaru WRX and Ascent are the only new cars sold in the United States that still offer a CD player.
Both models can be equipped with a single-disc CD player hidden inside the center console.
Most automakers abandoned CD players about a decade ago, shifting to digital audio. Subaru's commitment to the format is surprising, given its interiors are already considered outdated.
Pricing and Availability
For the WRX, the CD player adds $449.95 to the sticker price. In the Ascent, the option costs $450.
It only holds one disc at a time, not a multi-disc changer. That's a significant cost for a feature many consumers no longer use.
Subaru's Outback had a CD player until last year, when it was replaced by an all-new model.
The 2025 Lexus IS also offered one, but its successor dropped it.
It's unclear if anyone will buy a WRX or Ascent just for the CD player, but nostalgia can be a powerful motivator.
