From one end of its product line to the other, Kia has several entertainment systems to offer. Each offers upgraded features and extra functions over the next size down, and depending on the vehicle and the trim you buy, you can get a very different experience.
Basic Radio
At the low end of Kia’s compact car line, you can get a basic radio that picks up AM and FM stations and accepts CDs with regular audio or MP3 files. This radio also picks up satellite transmissions, and when you buy a new model, you get a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM Radio.
4.3 and 5-Inch Touch Screen
This upgrade changes the interface and gives you a simple touch screen that lets you switch stations, pick tracks, and change your presets without taking up a lot of room with buttons and dials. It also gives you access to a rearview camera and a basic version of UVO eServices, Kia’s special operating system. On some models, the screen is 4.3 inches along the diagonal, but on others it goes up to a round 5 inches.
eServices can interact with your Apple or Android phone directly when you download Kia’s free app, and with it you can do things like find your car in a big parking lot, put your vehicle through a self-inspection and contact your favorite car shop for a service visit, and call 911 if the air bags deploy.
7-Inch Touch Screen
Mid-level Kia models come with 7-inch screens for their infotainment systems, and the larger screen comes with an improved version of UVO that makes good use of the extra space. On new Kia vehicles, the current version of UVO also comes with full compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means you can connect your smartphone to your Kia and use more apps through your vehicle than you could without these apps.
8-Inch Touch Screen
This is the biggest infotainment display Kia has to offer, and it only comes on top-level trims and the most expensive models. Along with the features mentioned above, 8-inch screens also come with a navigation system you can set using voice commands. So long as you have a subscription to SiriusXM Traffic, this navigation system can also keep track of traffic jams and offer alternate routes that will get you there faster.
These screens often come with premium Harman Kardon sound systems that add extra speakers to create a surround-sound experience, with the size of these systems varying based on vehicle.
Depending on your price range, Kia offers entertainment systems that start with an inexpensive radio with MP3 and satellite radio compatibility and end with an eight-inch touch screen that’s almost as big as the average tablet and comes packed with UVO eServices, smartphone apps and compatibility, voice commands, a navigation system, and even a set of premium speakers that can really change your listening experience. While you shouldn’t decide on your car just for the entertainment system, it’s definitely an important factor.
This photo, “DSC02902,” by pirhan used under CC BY-SA 2.0. “DSC02902” is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.