What Kia Cars Have Kia Connect?

If you’re in the market for a Kia, it’s important that you know which models are equipped with Kia Connect. This is a system that provides a seamless connection between your Kia vehicle and your smartphone. It allows you to control key vehicle functions, access relevant information, and take advantage of services that help ensure the safety and security of both your vehicle and its occupants.

To help you make an informed decision, we at Tom Kadlec Kia in Rochester, Minnesota, have put together a list of models where this system is available and answered a few common questions about it.

What Is Kia Connect?

The Kia Connect telematics system is a result of the rebranding efforts of the automaker in recognition of the growing importance of connected car technologies. Before its introduction in 2021, it was known as the Kia UVO. While it retained many of the features of its predecessor, its capabilities have been expanded significantly, and it’s constantly undergoing improvements to enhance its performance.

What Vehicles Come With Kia Connect?

Kia Connect was first announced in the 2023 Kia Sportage. However, research using the Kia Connect availability tool shows that this feature was available in other models in earlier years, beginning in 2020. To avoid confusion, we may be able to attribute this to a simple case of the automaker renaming the UVO system in those vehicles to Kia Connect. Nonetheless, we have created a list of the vehicles and their respective trims that support Kia’s new telematics system, grouped according to their model year:

2020 Models With Kia Connect

These are the models that, according to the Kia Connect availability tool, support the Kia Connect system:

• Cadenza: Technology and Limited.
• K900: Luxury.
• Niro: EX Premium, Touring, and Touring Special Edition.
• Niro electric vehicle (EV): EX and EX Premium.
• Niro plug-in hybrid: EX, EX Premium, and LXS.
• Optima: EX Premium.
• Optima plug-in hybrid: EX.
• Sorento: SX.
• Soul: EX and GT-Line Turbo.
• Sportage: SX Turbo.
• Telluride: EX, LX, S, and SX.

2021 Models With Kia Connect

These are the Kia vehicles that support Kia Connect:

• Forte: EX.
• K5: EX, GT, GT-Line, and LXS.
• Niro: EX Premium, Touring, and Touring Special Edition.
• Niro EV: EX and EX Premium.
• Niro plug-in hybrid:  EX, EX Premium, and LXS.
• Seltos: SX Turbo.
• Sorento: EX, S, SX, and SX Prestige.
• Soul: EX and Turbo.
• Sportage: EX, S, and SX Turbo.

2022 Models With Kia Connect

These are the Kia models with the Kia Connect system:

• Carnival: EX, SX, and SX Prestige.
• EV6: GT-Line, Light, and Wind.
• Forte: GT and GT-Line.
• K5: EX, GT, and GT-Line.
• Niro: EX Premium and Touring Special Edition.
• Niro EV: EX, EX Premium, and S.
• Niro plug-in hybrid: EX, EX Premium, and LXS.
• Rio: S.
• Seltos: EX, Nightfall, S, and SX Turbo.
• Sorento: EX, S, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line EX, X-Line S, and X-Line SX Prestige.
• Sorento Hybrid:  EX and S.
• Sorento plug-in hybrid: SX and SX Prestige.
• Soul: EX, GT-Line, S, and X-Line.
• Sportage: EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX Turbo.
• Stinger: GT-Line, GT1, and GT2.
• Telluride: EX, LX, S, and SX.

2023 Models With Kia Connect

Here are the Kia models equipped with Kia Connect:

• Carnival: EX, SX, and SX Prestige.
• EV6: GT, GT-Line, Light, and Wind.
• Forte: GT-Line.
• K5: EX, GT, and GT-Line.
• Niro: EX, EX Touring, SX, and SX Touring.
• Niro plug-in hybrid: EX and SX Touring.
• Rio: S.
• Seltos: EX, Nightfall, S, and SX.
• Sorento: EX, S, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line EX, X-Line S, and X-Line SX Prestige.
• Sorento Hybrid: EX and SX Prestige.
• Sorento plug-in hybrid: SX Prestige.
• Soul: EX, GT-Line, and S.
• Sportage: EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige.
• Sportage Hybrid: EX and SX Prestige.
• Sportage plug-in hybrid: X-Line and X-Line Prestige.
• Stinger: GT-Line and GT2.
• Telluride: EX, EX X-Line, LX, S, SX, SX X-Pro, SX Prestige, SX Prestige X-Line, SX Prestige X-Pro.

2024 Models With Kia Connect

So far, only two 2024 models are confirmed to have Kia Connect. The first is the Kia Carnival, specifically its EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims. The second is the Seltos, in particular its EX, S, SX, and X-Line trim levels.

What Are the Notable Features of Kia Connect?

The main selling points of Kia Connect are the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and the fact that it lets you control various aspects of your vehicle using your smart device through the Kia Access app. The following features are also well received by Kia owners:

• Connected routing: Plan your route and find the fastest way to reach your destination using the Kia Connect navigation system.
• Find my car: Locate your vehicle using the smartphone app and get directions to it.
• Rear occupant alert: Receive notifications when sensors detect movement in the rear seats after you lock your vehicle.
• Remote climate control: Set your preferred temperature through Kia Access.
• Remote door lock and unlock: Secure or allow access to your vehicle using your smartphone.
• Roadside assistance: Kia Connect provides your location to roadside assistance to ensure that help arrives in case of an emergency.
• Smartwatch connectivity: Send commands remotely to your vehicle through a smartwatch paired with your smartphone.
• Stolen vehicle recovery: Kia works with law enforcement to locate and retrieve your vehicle in case of theft.
• Vehicle health report: Receive monthly reports on your vehicle’s condition, as well as tips on how to keep it in top shape.

How Much Does Kia Connect Cost?

New Kia vehicles usually come with a one-year complimentary subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate, which is the package that includes the most features. After this, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of Kia Connect by subscribing to one of four plans. The most basic package is called Lite, and it’s available for free for up to five years. The other three are paid subscriptions, and these are their monthly and yearly prices:

• Care:   $5.99 per month or $59 per year.
• Plus: $14.99 per month or $149 per year.
• Ultimate: $19.99 per month or $199 per year.

To learn more about Kia Connect and the vehicles that support it, you can contact us at Tom Kadlec Kia. You can also head to our dealership in Rochester, Minnesota, if you’re in the area to check out our inventory of new Kia models in person. Our knowledgeable staff can answer any questions you may have and help you find the right Kia Connect-equipped vehicle for your needs.

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