Kia’s four Connect packages provide numerous technological upgrades and extra services to your Kia vehicle. Kia offers a complimentary “Lite” package which is available for up to five years, while its top-of-the-line “Ultimate” package costs $19.99 per month or $199 per year.
If equipped and eligible, you can supercharge your new Kia’s electronic potential, not to mention unlock a slew of services that are only available to Kia drivers with Kia Connect subscriptions. Want improved remote functionality and options? It’s all available via Kia Connect, but you’ll have to ensure your vehicle is eligible and that you’re willing to pay extra for these services.
As per Kia, Kia Connect is not available on 2022 models or newer in Massachusetts to comply with the state’s data regulation laws. If you drive a new Kia in any other state, here’s everything you need to know to decide if the Kia Connect packages are worth it for you!
Learn more: How to lower your Kia car insurance costs
What are the Kia Connect packages?
Kia’s Connect packages are a series of technology and service enhancements available for your Kia vehicle.
All Kias come with a limited, complimentary package of Connect services known as the Lite package. If you want more than what’s complimentary, you’ll have to upgrade to one of three Connect packages that increase in price. The Care Package is the cheapest paid package, followed by the mid-tier Plus Package and the most expensive Ultimate Package.
What’s included
The complimentary Lite Kia Connect package comes pre-installed on all new 2022 Kia models or newer. It is free for up to five years. The Lite Connect Package contains the following features:
- My Trip: This provides your Kia’s real-time distance, driving speed, and location.
- 911 Connect: If your airbag deploys, Kia Connect will automatically dial 911 and send your vehicle’s location to emergency responders.
- Maintenance Reminder: Connect will remind you of your Kia’s upcoming maintenance appointments.
- Remote Charge & Stop Charge: Charge your electric Kia and stop its charge via the Kia app or online.
- Charge Status Notification: Get your electric Kia’s latest charge status sent to your smartphone.
How much are the Kia Connect Packages?
As mentioned, the Lite Connect Package is free! But if you want to up your Kia’s tech game with all sorts of nifty additional services, you’ll have to pony up with either monthly or annual payments. Here’s how much the Kia Connect paid packages cost:
- Care Package: $5.99 per month or $59 annually
- Plus Package: $14.99 per month or $149 annually
- Ultimate Package: $19.99 per month or $199 annually
Are the Kia Connect packages worth it?
Whether a Kia Connect package is worth it will depend on you and your pocketbook. The free Lite Package offers a decent amount of technology, but its offerings are significantly improved if you opt for one of the paid packages.
Generally speaking, the Plus Package is usually regarded as the Kia Connect package to buy, as it shares many of the same features as the top-of-the-line Ultimate Package, but it’s not as expensive. If you must have over-the-air updates for your Kia’s Connect system, then the Ultimate Package is what you want. But for most, the Plus Package will hit the spot.
Lite Package vs. the Care Package
Building on the Lite Package’s bare bones, the Care Package adds safety and security features to your Kia’s Connect software with vehicle alarm alerts, roadside assistance, curfew alert, and more. Here are all the features that are added to the Kia Connect Care Package:
General:
- Vehicle Health Report: Monthly diagnostic reports, driving tips, and discounts are delivered right to your Kia.
- Roadside Assistance: Your vehicle’s location will be automatically sent to emergency responders if you’re involved in an accident.
Alerts:
- Geofence Alert: Based on preset preferences, your Kia will send you Geofence alerts.
- Curfew Alert: Vehicle curfew alerts will be sent to your phone based on your preset preferences.
- Speed Alert: Receive vehicle speed alerts, based on preset preferences.
- Diagnostic Alert: A diagnostic alert will be sent if a warning indicator is set off.
- Valet Alert: If your Kia is driven beyond a preset limit, you’ll receive an alert on your smartphone or smartwatch.
- Low Starter Battery Alert (12v): If your starter battery is running low, you’ll get an alert on your smartphone.
- Vehicle Alarm Notification: If your Kia’s alarm is triggered, you’ll receive an alert on your smartphone.
- Panic Button Notification: An alert is automatically sent to your phone if your Kia’s panic button is triggered.
- Rear Seat Occupancy Notification: Once your Kia’s doors are locked, you’ll be notified if rear seat passengers are detected (just in case you hadn’t noticed).
Remote:
- Remote Mileage Check: Check your Kia’s mileage online or via the Kia app on your smartphone.
Lite Package vs. the Plus Package
Going up a level to the Plus Package gives you even more remote control over your Kia. The Plus Package gives you everything you’ll find in the Lite and Care Packages, along with greater remote functionality. Here are the additional features you’ll get with the Plus Package:
General:
- Climate Scheduling: Adjust your Kia’s interior climate remotely with your smartphone app.
Security:
Find My Car: Your Kia app will direct you to your car’s location.
Remote:
- Remote Lock & Unlock: Remotely lock or unlock your vehicle online or via the Kia smartphone app.
- Remote Horn & Lights: Use your phone to trigger your Kia’s lights and horn for safety purposes.
- Remote Start & Stop: You can remotely start or stop your vehicle using your app.
- Remote Start with Climate Control: Use the Kia app to remotely set the cabin climate while starting your Kia.
- Remote Heated Seats: Get your seats all warm and toasty on a cold day online or through the smartphone app.
- Remote Ventilated Seats: Make sure your Kia’s seats are cool on a hot day by remotely starting this function before you get into the vehicle.
Eco:
- Charge Scheduling: Set your Kia’s charging schedule remotely via the online app or with your smartphone
Lite Package vs. the Ultimate Package
With the Ultimate Package, you get all the tech upgrades and service availability that a Kia driver could ever want. The Ultimate Package has everything that the Lite, Care, and Plus Packages have, along with both Alexa and Google Assist, Point-Of-Interest functionality, and a built-in Kia Navigation system. Here are the additional perks that come with the Ultimate Package:
Security:
- Stolen Vehicle Recovery: With Kia technology and the help of Kia agents, this feature will help law enforcement track down your vehicle in case it is stolen.
- Stolen Vehicle Immobilization: This feature allows your Kia’s engine to be automatically shut down in case your vehicle is stolen.
Remote:
- Kia Agent (Google Assist): From home, use Google’s voice-assist software to send commands to your Kia Vehicle.
- Kia Skill (Amazon Alexa): Use Amazon Alexa to send voice commands to your Kia vehicle.
Navigation:
- Send Destination to Car: Use the Kia smartphone app to send directions directly to your Kia’s navigation system.
- Kia Connect Voice Assist: Use Kia’s voice assist software for the vehicle to search online for points of interest, instead of using the vehicle’s offline search.
- Connected Routing: Get improved and more efficient routing, more accurate arrival time, and more up-to-date traffic information delivered right to your Kia’s infotainment system.
- Connected Weather: Get accurate weather information for more than 25,000 U.S. cities.
- Over-the-Air Infotainment and Navigation Updates: Kia will send updates over the air to your Kia’s infotainment and navigation systems.
The bottom line
If you’re looking to make your new Kia a technological marvel, upping your complimentary Lite Kia Connect Package may be something you’re interested in doing. Of course, you’ll have to pay for those updates, but if you want the premium Kia experience (along with service perks), going beyond the free Lite Package is the way to go.
Jason Tushinski is an insurance writer with a background in journalism and over seven years of experience in freelance writing. Jason specializes in insurance and combines a wealth of skills obtained throughout the publishing industry to create useful, easy-to-understand content for car owners. Jason has written over 1,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from insurance company offerings to DMV processes to car model specifications. Before joining Jerry, Jason worked as freelance video content creator, news writer and editor for the Sun News Network, and researcher for CBC. His writing is published in Maclean’s and This Magazine.
Pat Roache is an insurance writer with over two years of experience in the automotive industry. With a focus on car insurance, maintenance, and brand reviews, Pat’s mission is to create engaging and accessible content that empowers readers to take autonomy over their car ownership. As a writer and editor with Jerry, Pat has penned over 600 original articles and edited over 1,000. Pat’s 8+ years of experience in the performing arts as a writer, director, producer, and performer lend to their keen eye for research and presentation. Most recently, Pat’s new English translation of Donizetti’s Italian opera “D[x]n Pasquale” had its world premiere in 2022 with Opera MODO (Detroit, MI). Pat also writes grants for an LGBTQ arts non-profit in Chicago, IL.
