Is a Kia Head-Up Display Worth It?
There are only four Kia models that offer a head-up display. Is it worth the added cost?
Written by Matt Nightingale
A head-up display (HUD) shows you important driving info projected onto your vehicle’s windshield, supplying you with vital information while allowing you to keep your eyes on the road—but is outfitting your Kia with head-up technology worth it?
Buying a new Kia comes with a lot of big decisions, from tech options to available
safety features
to upholstery and interior design. Features like a head-up display can not only make your car seem futuristic, but they can also make your vehicle safer.If you’re not sure if a head-up display is worth the money, you’ve come to the right place—
Jerry
, the trustworthy car insurance comparison app
that helps you save on your Kia insurance costs
—has done the research. In this short guide, we’ll show you which Kias have a head-up display, how much extra getting a head-up display on your preferred Kia model will cost, and how to use this super-cool feature. Kia head-up display: what is it and do you need it?
Head-up display—HUD for short—is a convenience and safety feature that displays useful information in the driver’s line of sight. The purpose of this feature is to allow you to keep your head up and your eyes focused on the road, instead of distractedly searching for info on your in-cabin instrument cluster and infotainment interface.
Kia’s HUD uses a projector to cast images and information onto your vehicle’s windshield. Your head-up display can be customized to include a number of information options, such as:
- Vehicle speed
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Road sign information
- Blind-spot information
- Warning lights
- Infotainment system information
You can customize the height, brightness, and rotation of your HUD for your comfort. Although a head-up display is not essential, it is a great feature that can help keep you alert and reduce accidents caused by
distracted driving
.MORE: The top 5 causes of car accidents
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Which Kia models have a head-up display (HUD)?
Not all Kias come with a head-up display. Some models have a HUD as a standard feature, while others offer a HUD as part of an optional feature package.
Here’s a look at which Kia models offer a head-up display:
Generally speaking, a head-up display is only available on the highest trim level for the above-listed Kia models, so the true cost of a HUD is contained within the price difference between trims.
A head-up display for the Telluride SX is covered by the cost of the SX Prestige Package which also includes leather seats, a heated steering wheel, a 110-volt power outlet, and heated and ventilated middle-row seats.
Assuming you were eyeing the second-highest trim available for Kia models with a HUD, the jump up to the highest trim level and the additional cost of any option packages needed to secure a head-up display would add an average of $6,025 to your new Kia sticker price.
Can you add a head-up display to a Kia?
It depends. If you want a genuine Kia head-up display, you are out of luck. Kia will not retrofit your vehicle with a HUD. And, even if they could, it would probably cost you quite a bit of money given that you would likely need to completely replace your dash and windshield as well as install the HUD equipment.
However, you can find several head-up display devices available at online retailers that can give you what you’re looking for. These types of HUD devices mount onto your dashboard and are relatively easy to install and use. They’re also pretty cheap, with some models starting at under $50.
These devices are not built into your windshield, however, so you lose a bit of that futuristic mystique, but they can get the job done.
If you simply must have that cool, built-in HUD, you’ll need to spring the extra cash to jump up to a trim level that offers a head-up display.
MORE: Car tech gift guide
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A head-up display may make your vehicle feel like a spaceship, but using your HUD is not as complicated as it might seem. Here’s how to engage your Kia’s head-up display:
- Using the Mode button on your steering wheel, toggle to User Settings on your LCD in your Kia’s instrument cluster.
- Click Enable Head-Up Display.
You can customize the information displayed in the same place that you went to enable your head-up display. Your Kia HUD can include information such as turn-by-turn navigation instructions, current traffic info, driving assist info, vehicle speed, warning lights, and audio system information.
Is a Kia head-up display worth it?
Unlike backup cameras, head-up displays are not essential safety tech… yet. But it sure is nice to have and it can be worth the extra cash to get it. A head-up display can help you stay focused on the road, eliminating distractions and boosting your ability to react to traffic situations.
The problem is that a head-up display is typically only available as part of an accessories package that includes other less-than-practical luxury items, such as a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats. While these options might be nice to have, they do little to increase your safety—and a lot to increase your new car’s sticker price and insurance costs.
Ultimately, it’s up to you. If the peace of mind offered by a head-up display is worth the cost of an upgrade, then more power to you. The Telluride SX Premium Package is only $2,300, which is relatively cheap if you were already set on snagging a Telluride SX.
Similarly, upgrading from the Kia EV6 Wind AWD to the EV6 GT-Line RWD will only cost you $300, and a head-up display is standard on EV6 GT-Line models.
How to save on Kia insurance
If you’re looking to free up some cash to be able to add a head-up display to your Kia, try shopping for cheap car insurance with the
Jerry
app. Jerry compares real-time quotes from some of the best insurance providers around and delivers the most competitive ones right to your smartphone. In less than a minute, our licensed broker app can help you cancel your old car insurance policy and switch providers at a more affordable rate.
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