Kia Expanding Popular CarPlay/Android Update to Select 2014-17 Models

Aug 12, 2016

Kia Motors Corporation knows how to keep customers loyal. The South Korean automaker recently announced plans to make Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available to not just brand new Kias, but also to many older models.

Kia recently announced it would be making the services, which allow Kia owners to easily sync their iPhone or Android phone with their vehicle’s touchscreen display, for vehicles equipped with Kia’s UVO3 or a comparable navigation system.

Eligible Vehicles

Kia announced that the following vehicles would be eligible for the Kia CarPlay update and Android update:

2017 Kia Sorento
2017 Kia Sportage
2017 Kia Forte
2015-2016 Kia Optima
2015-2016 Kia Optima Hybrid
2015-2016 Kia Sedona
2014-2016 Kia Soul
2015-2016 Soul EV

Kia has notified vehicle owners concerning their eligibility for the program. Eligible Kia owners now need to go to myuvo.com to confirm their eligibility and get directions for updating their systems with CarPlay and Android Auto software.

Kia owners can take their vehicles to their Kia dealer to download the update for them, but this will involve purchasing an SD card and paying the dealership labor fees for the installation. Kia owners can save money by handling the process, which in most cases should be fairly easy, on their own.

Why CarPlay or Android?

Syncing an Android phone or iPhone with your vehicle’s touchscreen makes it easier to place calls, control music options, or send messages by interacting with the device via voice commands and the touchscreen interface. This helps reduce incidences of distracted driving, which are becoming an increasing cause of accidents.

In 2014, more than 3,100 people were killed and 431,000 were injured in car crashes involving distracted drivers. Many of those distractions involved texting or otherwise operating a phone while driving.
About 10 percent of all drivers between 15 and 19 years of age involved in fatal automobile accidents were distracted at the time of the accident.
The percent of drivers who are reported texting or visibly operating their handheld phones while driving increased from 1.7 percent in 2013 to 2.2 percent in 2014.
A recent survey by Erie Insurance found that a third of drivers admit to texting while driving and about 66 percent of drivers say they’ve spotted another driver doing it.

By keeping drivers focused on the road, rather than their smartphones, accidents and traffic violations can be reduced, benefiting public safety and individual auto owners alike.

Kia recently started making CarPlay and Android Auto available in its vehicles, as customer demand for these services has increased. CarPlay is limited to the iPhone 6, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, and iPhone C. For Android Auto, consumers must have an Android phone installed with the 5.0 operating system or higher.

Bill Barth Kia is a Mandan, N.D. car dealer with deep roots in the local community. For consumers searching for a car dealer with great vehicles and a commitment to helping friends and neighbors, check out Bill Barth Kia today.