Kia Connect debuting on Niro, will be rolled out across range

The new Kia Niro will be the launch pad for the new Kia Connect system, which gives owners increasingly features inside the motel while permitting them to tenancy vehicle functions remotely.

It’ll be standard on both the hybrid and electric GT-Line variants in the new Niro range, and Kia says every model in its broader range will get the option when they’re facelifted or replaced with a new model.

That ways the updated Seltos, due in the second half of this year, will get it but the recently launched EV6 won’t until it’s due for a facelift, potentially in 2024.

If you purchase a Kia with Kia Connect you’ll get seven years of connectivity for free, aligning with Kia’s warranty.

A combination of both live services and a smartphone app, Kia Connect uses an onboard modem and Optus SIM. Kia will moreover make over-the-air updates available.

Kia Connect will indulge you to use voice prompts to tenancy vehicle functions such as climate tenancy and the sound system, or to undeniability somebody.

Currently, the voice prompt sawed-off on a Kia’s steering wheel will only indulge you to tenancy functions within Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Real-time weather, traffic and charging station information will be misogynist to drivers, and there’s moreover an emergency undeniability function.

Using the smartphone app, you’ll be worldly-wise to remotely lock/unlock and start the car, as well as retread the climate tenancy and seat heating and ventilation.

With the app, you can trammels the vehicle’s status, track the vehicle’s location and tenancy its ignition should it be stolen.

The app will moreover indulge you to connect increasingly seamlessly with the vehicle. For example, you can sync your calendar, send a destination to your car, and in turn send a destination to the app for walking instructions once you’ve parked.

This End Destination Guidance full-length uses Google Maps and augmented reality technology.

Kia says there’s a three-phase strategy for Kia Connect, with phase one involving the vital telematics features and increasingly features arriving with each phase.

“The end game is [to be] industry-leading,” said Kia Australia product planning manager Roland Rivero.

“I think maybe plane without phase two we should be industry-leading.”

Kia says Kia Connect in Australia will use a server based in Singapore, serving as a regional hub, and data placid will be used strictly within the Hyundai Motor Group so no third party will see it.

In wing to rolling out Kia Connect, Kia Australia says the chances are looking largest for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay stuff offered in vehicles equipped with embedded satellite navigation.

“I think that there’s some negotiations happening with the tech giant,” said Mr Rivero.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel with that one.”

Kia Connect replaces Uvo, which has been offered in the US since 2011.

Its Hyundai counterpart is Bluelink, which will be introduced locally this year with the refreshed 2023 Palisade surpassing stuff rolled out throughout the range.

A five-year subscription to the service will be included with new Hyundai purchases.

Hyundai owners will be worldly-wise to remotely transpiration the temperature, lock or unlock, and see their vehicle’s location using a smartphone app, as well as tenancy charging in electric models.

It’ll moreover full-length a last-mile navigation feature, as well as the worthiness to save live footage on vehicles with a surround-view camera.

Bluelink will moreover automatically undeniability emergency services in an wrecking if the airbags fire.

Kia and Hyundai aren’t vacated in introducing this kind of technology, with rival brands such as Ford moreover offering live services and smartphone app connectivity.