- Kia says she will offer Netflix, Disney +, YouTube and LG channels
- Entertainment is only available when parked
- It is not free, because it is part of a package based on the subscription
Kia is the last of a multitude of manufacturers to start offering successful entertainment inside vehicles, with a new entertainment package based on a Netflix, Disney +, Youtube and more.
Available only when parked, the optional new packages essentially unlock access to some of the most popular streaming services in the world, but also offer things like Karaokeas well as Baby Shark World for Kids.
Coming first to the KIA EV3 recently launched, the South Korean brand says that the additional software will soon be presented in New Sportage, EV4, EV5 and all the models to come in the future.
That said, it will only work on these new vehicles supplied by the LGOS-based automobile content-based automobile platform, which reduces the old EV6, for example.
Currently, it is also only accessible to European markets, for the moment with North America and other regions to follow suit. The standard entertainment package, which will be offered for a year for a year, only supports music streaming and YouTube via Obigo.
More complete (and expensive) entertainment more plan gives access to Netflix, Disney + (in limited European countries) and YouTube via a native application.
Finally, a PlusWifi entertainment package throws in everything above, as well as a WiFi hotspot function in the car, which means that passengers can attach and browse the vehicle data package.
Analysis: the breakdown of boredom has a price
Kia joins an increasing list of car manufacturers who transform their infotainment systems into multimedia streaming devices when parked.
Mercedes-Benz, for example, has offered people like Disney + via its MBUX system for some time now, while Tesla’s integrated browser can access streaming applications like Netflix, YouTube and Hulu.
The specific display of the Porsche passenger, which is available on Taycan, Panamera and Macan as an optional supplement, even allows passengers of the seats before enjoying a film or playing games when the vehicle is in motion.
More and more, we see digital screens in the double vehicle as entertainment platforms to kill time when parked … Something that many owners of electric vehicles still find it to do while waiting for the batteries.
It is a great distraction and perfect for the moments when you forgot to pack iPads or other digital devices for children.
There have been several times when I have passed the minutes by playing a pop quiz or watching an episode of Bluey In the passenger seat with the little ones while we are waiting for a charge session to end.
That said, the decision to charge just to access streaming services seems to be a step backwards, especially when most people already spend a fortune each month in entertainment plans as it is.
Kia will charge £ 74 per year (about $ 100 / $ 154 in), or £ 7 (around $ 10 / $ 15 in) per month, for its most basic package, prices going to £ 34 (around $ 46 / $ 70 in) for the first three months for the Plus Wi-Fi package.
This is added to the £ 80 (around $ 108 / $ 166 per year required for the KIA Connect data package, which is free for the duration of the warranty (7 years), but is exhausted when vehicles enter the market used.
