No Free Android Auto or Apple Carplay for Canada

[t3chno1d]

I just got a reply from Kia Canada, and Kia Canada continues to treat Canadian customers as second class owners.

First no UVO, next no free upgrade... it will cost you $253 USD (yes USD that's $326.79 Cdn), to upgrade to the latest maps and Android Auto and Apple Carplay... plus no UVO for our Canadian Soul EV's.

I love my Soul EV, but I have difficulty recommending it to my Canadian friends when we only get a part of what the rest of North America gets for their cars which are the same as ours. And we pay more for our cars too!

Here is what Kia Canada said:

From: Consumer Affairs <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Aug 15, 2016 at **** AM
Subject: Android Auto Updates
To: "*************@gmail.com"


Dear Mr. **********,

Thank you for contacting Kia Canada Customer Experience Department regarding your inquiry on Android Auto Updates for your 2016 Kia Soul EV.

Please note Android Auto is now available on select Kia models; the updates on the GPS unit for your 2016 Kia Soul EV are not automatic; Kia vehicles MUST HAVE navigation as a prerequisite to be compatible with Android Auto. Also, the software upgrade is the financial responsibility of the vehicle owner.

We invite you to visit the following website: www.mapnsoft.com and select your vehicle model. You will see a link allowing you to purchase the update for your vehicle Navigation System.

Thank you for contacting Kia Canada Inc.

Respectfully,

************
Customer Experience Representative

Kia Canada Inc.
180 Foster Cr., Mississauga, Ont., L5R 4J5
Tel: 877-542-2886 Fax: 866-26

 

[SoulEV2016]

i don't have an UVo series ... too.

 

[mysoulev]

i received the same reply from KIA Canada which is bad news.
i really wanted to try Android Auto, but at $300+, i'd rather pick up a 10 dollar windshield suction cup for my Android phone, and save the money for my future phone upgrade instead. after all, i use my phone way more than my car.

 

[2016Electric]

i received the same reply from KIA Canada which is bad news.
i really wanted to try Android Auto, but at $300+, i'd rather pick up a 10 dollar windshield suction cup for my Android phone, and save the money for my future phone upgrade instead. after all, i use my phone way more than my car.

I'm not surprised. I called the dealer where I bought my car, and they acted like they didn't know what I was talking about when I asked about this. They actually suggested buying a newer vehicle if I wanted this feature... Lol

As for Kia Canada.. Even less surprised. I called them to ask if they had any plans to install a L3 charger at their HQ, similar to Nissan, since I paid several thousand extra dollars for the Chademo option but there's almost no where to use it around Toronto (have a look at Plugshare - truly sad). Anyway, they actually hung up on me when I persisted and asked why they were not planning to support fast charging, at least symbolically by installing at least one darn charger. The impression I am under is that Kia Canada isn't thrilled about selling an EV, and that they are probably selling it at the direction of Kia (international).

I find support for the EV movement to be fairly low in Ontario in general, with most people being stunningly uninformed about the tech (and proud of it).

 

[SoulEV2016]

since I paid several thousand extra dollars for the Chademo option but there's almost no where to use it around Toronto (have a look at Plugshare - truly sad).

use chargemap.com : Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada have chademo plug at toronto ...

 

[Ever]

Very frustrating and annoying at the same time. I still recommend the car and EVs in general to people but the lack of the support and services is a disappointment.

 

[ralyon]

Just curious, has anyone contacted MNSoft to see if they can provide just the firmware update? They have a live chat at the bottom of the page https://www.kia-gpsmap.ca/

 

[Tekguy26]

I read No Fee update. Was very disappointed.

 

[Tekguy26]

since I paid several thousand extra dollars for the Chademo option but there's almost no where to use it around Toronto (have a look at Plugshare - truly sad).

Isn't the Chademo option standard on the Soul EV? It is for the 2016 anyway. Haven't had to use it yet. But at least there are going to be a bunch of new chargers open by March next year in Ontario. Right now difficult to drive from Toronto to Niagara without spending a couple of hours at an L2 charger.

 

[t3chno1d]

since I paid several thousand extra dollars for the Chademo option but there's almost no where to use it around Toronto (have a look at Plugshare - truly sad).

Isn't the Chademo option standard on the Soul EV? It is for the 2016 anyway. Haven't had to use it yet. But at least there are going to be a bunch of new chargers open by March next year in Ontario. Right now difficult to drive from Toronto to Niagara without spending a couple of hours at an L2 charger.

In Canada, we only have two version, the base with cloth seats, no sunroof, standard heater and no Chademo, and the deluxe with leather seats, sun roof, heat pump heat/cooling and Chademo.

I believe all US models come with Chademo and UVO.

Can't get UVO in Canada... which sucks.

 

[zax123]

Has anyone in Canada purchased the upgrade?

I'm curious if it works well and is worth it. Specifically the Android Auto functionality.

Thanks!

 

[Jon]

I downloaded the update to my computer last night, and I expect I'll be installing it onto the SD card and then into my car this evening. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[zax123]

Cool, thanks!

 

[Jon]

Download was a bit slower than expected, but that might just be my aging computer's fault. Installation onto the old SD card and then into the car went smoothly.

As for the features, there's nothing new. I believe it just updated the map.

 

[zax123]

Hi Jon,

Did you purchase the update for $199 that includes Android Auto and Carplay?

Did you test the functionality of either of those?

Thanks!

Robert

 

[SiLiZiUMM]

It anyone manages to have a refund for the update from Kia and is willing to drop the update file somewhere on the Internet that would be appreciated :mrgreen:

 

[zax123]

I'm pretty sure each update file is coded for the specific head unit...

 

[SiLiZiUMM]

Only the maps are, the update itself is not. It has been done for a Soul ICE in the US. Not a big deal for the maps when you have Android Auto / CayPlay!

 

[nibularr]

noticed this listed on the Europe soul ev webpage

The new Kia Soul EV has got it all : radio, MP3, RDS, DAB, AVN 4.0 and rear view camera. You will also enjoy a 7-year Navigation Map Update that includes 6 free annual map updates for new Kia vehicles factory fitted with a MOBIS navigation device.

 

[Gawtrox]

I just got a reply from Kia Canada, and Kia Canada continues to treat Canadian customers as second class owners.

First no UVO, next no free upgrade... it will cost you $253 USD (yes USD that's $326.79 Cdn), to upgrade to the latest maps and Android Auto and Apple Carplay... plus no UVO for our Canadian Soul EV's.

I love my Soul EV, but I have difficulty recommending it to my Canadian friends when we only get a part of what the rest of North America gets for their cars which are the same as ours. And we pay more for our cars too!

Here is what Kia Canada said:

From: Consumer Affairs <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Aug 15, 2016 at **** AM
Subject: Android Auto Updates
To: "*************@gmail.com"


Dear Mr. **********,

Thank you for contacting Kia Canada Customer Experience Department regarding your inquiry on Android Auto Updates for your 2016 Kia Soul EV.

Please note Android Auto is now available on select Kia models; the updates on the GPS unit for your 2016 Kia Soul EV are not automatic; Kia vehicles MUST HAVE navigation as a prerequisite to be compatible with Android Auto. Also, the software upgrade is the financial responsibility of the vehicle owner.

We invite you to visit the following website: www.mapnsoft.com and select your vehicle model. You will see a link allowing you to purchase the update for your vehicle Navigation System.

Thank you for contacting Kia Canada Inc.

Respectfully,

************
Customer Experience Representative

Kia Canada Inc.
180 Foster Cr., Mississauga, Ont., L5R 4J5
Tel: 877-542-2886 Fax: 866-26

These many years later, software for updates of maps/AndroidAuto-support are available free of charge on the Kia Canada website. You'll need a 32GB SDHC card to get the job done...