Kia has announced that all telematics-equipped vehicles from its 2022 model year onwards are now eligible to receive over-the-air (OTA) updates. This latest round of updates introduces 153 new features, including the integration of SoundCloud for music streaming, improvements to the EV Route Planner, and expanded voice command options.
Kia customers can access these new features via the Kia Connect App, enabling vehicles to be remotely updated through the Kia Connect Store. The process is now faster, thanks to a bandwidth that is three times wider than before, allowing OTA updates to be completed more efficiently.
Sjoerd Knipping, Vice President of Marketing and Product at Kia Europe, said: “This latest update demonstrates the tangible improvements that over-the-air updates can offer. It ensures the vehicle’s functionality continues to improve over the course of its ownership, all without any need for dealership visits.”
Enhanced Driving Experience
A key feature of the update is the ability to mute driver speed assistance warnings with a simple press of the mute button on the steering wheel, providing a more user-friendly experience. Additionally, the EV Route Planner now offers a split-screen view, allowing for easier access to key information such as estimated arrival times, state-of-charge, and the location of nearby charging stations.
The new SoundCloud integration further enhances the in-car entertainment options. As one of the world’s leading music streaming platforms, SoundCloud offers over 375 million tracks from 40 million artists. It joins Amazon Music, already integrated in Kia vehicles and now fully compatible with voice recognition for hands-free control.
Smarter Navigation and Charging Management
The EV Route Planner has been enhanced to simplify long-distance driving for electric vehicle (EV) owners. It automatically detects charging stations along the route, incorporating them as waypoints without user input. The new split-screen feature provides a clear overview of crucial charging details, while the system automatically adjusts the route if the destination cannot be reached on the current battery charge.
Additional updates include the activation of battery conditioning when charging stations are found using voice recognition. Voice commands can also now manage flight information, date and time settings, ambient lighting, and dashboard information.
Kia has also refined its navigation and parking features, giving higher priority to EV charging stations in the interface when the parking button is on. This means that the nearest available charging station will be displayed above nearby parking options, helping drivers find their next charge more easily.
Subscription Model for Updates
Kia’s OTA updates include an initial one-year trial that offers two free updates for navigation maps and infotainment systems. After the trial period, customers can subscribe to receive update packages twice a year, with prices starting at €89 per year, depending on the country.
Knipping added: “At Kia, we are committed to providing customers with regular improvements that enhance their driving experience. With these OTA updates, we are allowing our vehicles to evolve and stay ahead of the latest developments in connected car technology.”
The OTA updates ensure that Kia vehicles remain at the forefront of innovation, offering customers convenience, performance enhancements, and improved user experience without the need for in-person servicing. Further information can be found here: www.press.kia.com