Kia Rolls Out Software Update with Enhanced Route Planner, Voice Commands, and Driver Assistance Functions

Kia has announced a comprehensive software update for its vehicles from model year 2022 onwards, introducing 153 new features, including an optimized route planner, additional voice commands, and improvements to driver assistance functions.

One of the key updates allows drivers to turn off the speed assistance warning using the mute button on the steering wheel, offering greater convenience.

Among the new features is a split-screen view, which enhances the display of crucial driving information such as arrival times, charging status, and charging station details. The updated navigation system now automatically recognizes and adds charging stations along the route, eliminating the need for manual input. Kia claims that this improvement will offer drivers a better overview of essential charging information via the split-screen functionality.

Additionally, the updated route planner will automatically suggest charging stations if the vehicle’s battery charge is insufficient to reach the destination. This change streamlines route planning, replacing the previous manual selection of charging points. “The array of intelligent changes available in this latest update is strong proof that over-the-air updates deliver significant improvements,” said Sjoerd Knipping, Vice President of Marketing and Product at Kia Europe.

Another enhancement includes battery preconditioning, which is now activated through voice recognition when searching for charging stations. This function ensures that the battery reaches an optimal temperature, improving charging efficiency, particularly at fast-charging stations.

The update also introduces the SoundCloud music streaming service and new voice commands, allowing drivers to manage ambient lighting, check the date and time, and access instrument cluster information.

Kia’s over-the-air (OTA) update system has also been upgraded, with a threefold increase in bandwidth, enabling faster installations. The software update can be applied wirelessly to all 2022 Kia vehicles equipped with navigation systems, without the need for a dealership visit.