Introducing Kia Connect

Kia America has rebranded its long-standing in-car and app-based telematics system from “UVO” to “Kia Connect”.

“As Kia shifts to electrification, in-car connectivity is a core pillar of the brand,” said Sean Yoon, president & CEO, Kia North America and Kia America.  “To that end, Kia Connect will deliver a world-class customer experience through an array of features that enhance vehicle connectivity, functionality, and user control.”

Beginning with the model year 2022, at least one or more configurations of each Kia model will have access to Kia Connect. Some of the highlights of Kia Connect include:

• Updated and enhanced UVO features Map Over the Air (OTA)
• Kia Access App provides a more streamlined customer experience and enhanced Apple & Android compatibility
• The New Stolen Vehicle Recovery feature can share location and immobilization capabilities with law enforcement
• Wi-Fi Hotspot6 connects up to five devices to 4G LTE based internet
• Connected Routing: Cloud-based system calculates the optimal route using real-time maps and predicted traffic info based on historical information and AI to learn the preferred routes of users
• Last Mile Navigation: Provides walking directions to selected navigation destinations from up to one mile away through the Kia Access app on compatible smartphone
• Smart Speaker Integration lets customers use Amazon Alexa7 or Google Assistant8 enabled smart speakers or devices to remotely control some functions (such as remote start)
• Connected Weather: Provides weather information for more than 25,000 cities
• Enhanced voice assist feature allows voice control of the vehicle’s climate, seat and steering-wheel heating,9 audio system, and other functions
• 911 Connect and Enhanced Roadside Assistance: Automatically will call 911 via the built-in modem if an airbag deploys.10 For non-emergencies, it can connect with 24/7 roadside assistance and share the vehicle’s location
• On-demand Find My Car with Surround View Monitor: Uses the vehicle cameras to capture images of the vehicle’s surroundings and then displays them in the Kia Access App or Kia Owner’s Portal
• Integrates owner’s personal calendar and shows calendar events in the navigation system

Currently, new connected car features are launched through the Kia Owner’s Portal and app updates.  Customers will rely on OTA updates in the future as Kia adds this capability to new vehicles.  The 2023 Sportage is the first Kia model to be announced with Kia Connect.  However, the 2022 EV6 will be the first model to go on sale with the Kia Connect name.