Today: 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Blog / Technology

Kia is Kicking It Up a Notch: Technology

Modern technology has made so many advances, especially over the past few years. With so many of these awe-inspiring technologies, it is starting to feel like the future we all imagined. Kia has definitely been stepping up its game so let’s take this time to go over some of the awesome features you’ll find in your new Kia vehicles.

An option that makes life infinitely easier is the UVO eService. It’s a subscription-free information system for your Kia. This service comes with a variety of features including Parking Minder, Maintenance & Diagnostics, Emergency Assistance, and a bunch of convenience features.

Parking Minder – Some of us have a bit of trouble locating where our car is parked in a parking lot. Honestly, I try to remember, find some kind on landmark only to get horribly lost and having to use my car alarm to find my car. With Kia Parking Minder you won’t have to search to find your Kia. The Parking Minder feature saves the location of your Kia and, with the assistance of the GPS guidance on your compatible smartphone, helps guide you back to it.*

Maintenance & Diagnostics – Regular maintenance is just a part of having a car, so being able to stay up to date on what maintenance your car needs is as simple as touching a button. For example, with your compatible smartphone and the eServices mobile app, you can program UVO eServices to run regular diagnostic checks and then schedule a service appointment if necessary.* Keeping your car running smoothly is just that easy.

Emergency Assistance – Things happen, and more often than not those things happen when you are least prepared to handle them. With 911 Connect – Help is on the way when and wherever you need it. “In the event, the airbag deploys, 911 Connect can initiate a call to 911 Emergency Services. It can even transmit your vehicle’s location to 911 Emergency Services in some situations.*”


My POIs – I am the kind of person who LOVES to try new things, so a helpful feature in my Kia is My POIs (points of interest) where you can preset your own places you’d like to visit, find places you’d like to visit on Google Maps™ via the free UVO eServices app, and then send them to your UVO eServices system for future routing.* You use your car to get to the new destinations, but now your car can guide you there!

Voice Commands – When you’re driving, focusing on the road should be your main priority, and on occasion, you’ll want to do something that would ordinarily require you to take your eyes off the road to accomplish. In an effort to minimize the occasions in which your eyes are not on the road you will have the ability to use Voice Commands in you Kia. Hands-free calling, turning on the radio. Press the “talk” button on your steering wheel and a wide range of voice commands are available through UVO.

Rear-Camera Display – When you engage the reverse gear in your Kia, the Rear-Camera Display appears on the UVO screen, displaying a wide field of vision at the rear of your Kia.

Additional safety features that are helpful for all the parents out there include Geo Fence, Curfew Limit, and Speed Alert. Having a new teen driver in the house can be a bit scary for parents, so having these safety features that allows you a bit of control over the situation can be comforting. Geo Fence allows you to set a predetermined area in which your Kia needs to stay. It will alert you when your car goes outside of those parameters. The Curfew Limit and Speed Alert, as their names suggest, will alert you when your Kia is driven past a set time and a set speed. Your teen is gaining their independence, but you’re still their parents and just want them to stay safe, and now keeping your teen safe in a Kia is easier than ever.

Any time you drive, you need to be focused on a multitude of things, in addition to being constantly vigilant of everything happening around you. You are only one person, and can only do so much, so Kia is making life just a little bit easier, and safer too. To see any of these awesome features for yourself, stop by Destination Kia today and take a test drive in any one of our new vehicles!
Posted in:

Related Posts

Kia UVO eService Explained!

Have you recently purchased a new Kia vehicle? Perhaps one equipped with Kia UVO eServices? If so, you’re in for a treat and this week we are taking some time to explain what this infotainment system will get you and how it will add convenience to your life. Follow along below and stop in to see us for a test drive and let our team explain this feature further! What is it? UVO eServices is the in-vehicle media controller and infotainment system that connects your smartphone to your Kia. This system provides you with a lot of useful tools and information you may want when you’re out on the road. UVO is short for your voice and is a voice-controlled system. UVO eServices features: Android Auto™ This is a feature for Android-based phones and will allow you to take advantage of your favorite apps under the Android Auto platform. Including making voice or video calls, listening/ sending text messages, getting turn-by-turn directions - all without having to take your hands off the wheel. Navigation UVO’s voice command function allows you to open the navigation feature, request directions to your exact destination, and even have your Google Maps/ Places point of interests displayed right on the screen. Assist services You Kia is reliable but in the event of mechanical issues that prevent operation, UVO will connect you with Roadside Assistance and will also send data about the problem using the onboard diagnostic service, along with your vehicle’s location and VIN number. In the event of a collision, your Kia is able to contact 911 and summon emergency services. Music UVO eService gives you the ability to listen to all of your favorite tunes with services like Pandora, SiriusXM, and even the digital AM/ FM HD Radio. Plus, with USB, Aux input, and Bluetooth - you will never limit your choices for listening. Voice command Connect with your steering wheel in a Kia. From hands-free calling, text messaging, bringing up navigation, and more - voice commands are easy in a Kia. Get UVO eServices In A New Kia!

Kia Connect

“Not Another Car App.” Why Kia Connect at Destination Kia Is Actually Worth Your Attention

If your first reaction to Kia Connect is, “Great. Another app I’ll never open,” you’re not alone. Most people don’t want more tech, they want fewer problems. So instead of selling you “connectivity,” we’ll answer the real questions drivers ask when it’s cold, dark, and mildly inconvenient. And if you’d rather see it in action, you can explore it in person at Destination Kia in Albany. Can I start my Kia from inside my house when it’s 12° in Albany? Yes. With Kia Connect (Plus plan and above), you can remotely start your vehicle and set the climate before you ever step outside. That means defrosted windows, warmed seats, and no awkward driveway shivering while scraping ice off your windshield on Central Ave. You open the Kia Access app. Tap. Done. No aftermarket remote starter. No guessing range limits. No running outside in pajamas. Will my Kia update itself, or do I have to go to the dealership for every little software thing? Your vehicle can update itself. Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates allow your infotainment and navigation systems to stay current without a service appointment. Maps refresh, software improves, features evolve, your car is smarter. Can Kia Connect actually lower my insurance bill? It can! The Driving Score feature tracks habits like acceleration, braking, and speed patterns. Some insurers offer usage-based insurance discounts if you demonstrate safe driving behavior. If you already drive responsibly, Kia Connect helps prove it. What happens if someone steals my car? Kia Connect can assist law enforcement with Stolen Vehicle Recovery. That means location support and coordination tools that increase the chances of getting your vehicle back quickly. You hope you never need it, but will certainly be glad it’s there if you do. Do I really need a Wi-Fi hotspot in my car? If you’ve ever handed your phone to a kid in the back seat on I-90, yes. Select Kia models offer a Verizon-powered Wi-Fi Hotspot, so passengers can connect devices directly to the vehicle. Streaming. Schoolwork. Maps. No draining your phone’s data plan. For families, commuters, or remote workers bouncing between Saratoga and Albany, this is less about luxury and more about sanity. What if I don’t want to pay $20 a month for features I’ll never use? You don’t have to. Kia Connect offers four plans: Lite – Free for up to 5 years. Includes essentials like Maintenance Alerts, 911 Connect, Remote Charge, and My Trips. Care – Adds Curfew Alerts, Vehicle Alarm Alerts, and Roadside Assistance for $5.99/month. Plus – Adds Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Climate Control, and Find My Car for $14.99/month. Ultimate – Adds Home-to-Car (Alexa®), My POIs, and expanded connected features for $19.99/month. You can choose what fits your life. Can I check what features my Kia actually supports before committing? Yes. You can enter your VIN or search by model, year, and trim to see exactly what Kia Connect features are available for your vehicle. No guessing or awkward surprises. And if you’re shopping at Destination Kia, 760 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206, the team can walk you through which models and trims give you the most value for how you actually drive. What’s the real point of Kia Connect? It’s about reducing friction in your day: less waiting, less worrying, fewer trips back inside because you forgot to lock the doors, and fewer dealership visits for small software updates. If technology doesn’t lower your stress, it’s just noise, and Kia Connect is designed to do the opposite by giving you practical control when it actually matters. If you want to see how it works, visit Destination Kia in Albany, download the Kia Access app, and start the complimentary trial. Try it through a real Upstate winter week. If you don’t use it, you can cancel it.

BLOG_HEADER_2

Discover Special Offers On Select Kia SUVs & Sedans At Destination Kia! | Albany, NY

Your daily commute just got a lot more thrilling, and it's all thanks to Destination Kia of Albany, NY. We're excited to announce special offers on a range of select Kia SUVs and sedans that are designed to turn every drive into an exhilarating adventure. Whether you're navigating city streets or tackling highway miles, we have the ideal Kia waiting for you. Get ready to experience a new level of driving satisfaction as we unveil the path to your commute's ultimate transformation! Explore our available offers below and if you see one that matches your drive, be sure to schedule your test drive online today! Destination Kia’s October Specials: 2023 Kia Forte LXS Lease For ONLY $358/Month* 2024 Kia Sorento LX Finance at 3.99% APR* 2023 Kia Sportage LX AWD Lease For ONLY $388/Month* 2024 Kia Telluride LX AWD Lease For ONLY $498/Month* * All Offers Expire 10/31/2023. See our New Specials Page for full offer details.