Kia improves route planner

Smartphones are now setting the pace: Hardly a day goes by without at least one app on our cell phones getting an update. This creates a certain expectation for other elements of consumer electronics in everyday life, and the modern car is one of them. Car manufacturers are responding to this rhythm with varying degrees of hesitation. After all, an update should also visibly change something for the user. Kia is promising exactly that with a major update and is also focusing on models that do not have the latest hardware installed.

A capable route planner is particularly relevant for everyday use. The Kia EV6, which we had in the editorial office in December, showed potential for further improvements in this respect, although it already came to us with the latest Kia infotainment system ccNC (Connected Car Navigation Cockpit). With the update, the driver can use the map view in the EV route planner to set the charge level with which they want to reach their destination. This variable minimum battery charge level can also be programmed for driving to charging stations in order to shorten the stop by using a charging window with maximum charging power. A test will have to show how well this works in practice.

Voice control with ChatGPT

Kia also wants to have significantly improved voice control. Like Stellantis, among others, Kia also uses ChatGPT for this. According to Kia, this should help with "optimizing route guidance for the driver, searching for accommodation, recommending activities and, for example, organizing ski or sports equipment, as well as assessing the weather situation, including severe weather or avalanche warnings." Such a service must be worth some money to the customer in the long term. This is included in the EV3 for the first year, after which a subscription fee will be charged – The amount is not yet clear.

Kia is a little more specific in this regard with three packages that can be used to make charging breaks in the Kia EV3 more entertaining, for example: "Entertainment Standard", "Entertainment+" and "Entertainment+ (WiFi)" can now be booked in the Kia Connect Store. The cheapest package includes YouTube and music streaming services. This costs 7.99 euros per month or 85.99 euros per year. The medium package allows users to use their own access to services such as Disney or Netflix, as well as some games. The most expensive package allows users to use the car as a hotspot, meaning they do not need to tap into their own data volume. The cost of these two packages depends on the respective model and is only visible once the car and app have been linked.

Silence at the touch of a button

An important update that previously only benefited Kia drivers with the latest hardware is now also available for older models. Traffic sign recognition warning sounds can now be silenced at the touch of a button. This is to be welcomed for two reasons: on the one hand, this assistant occasionally annoys Kia drivers with incorrect messages, and on the other hand, it must be switched on again after every restart of the car, as required by law. This update can be installed from April 14. The new features for the current infotainment systems should already be available now.

(mfz)