Kia continues to enhance all of its vehicles with cutting-edge features. Of all the features and multiple trims, it's not easy to tell which model has what features. F0r example, do the new Kia Sportage models come with a remote start? Fortunately, we thoroughly researched the Kia Sportage and its features and have an answer for you here in this post.
The newest version of the Kia Sportage, the 2022 model, has remote start available on all four trims. For the two more premium trims, the EX and the SX Turbo, remote start is standard, but for the other two lower trims, LX and Nightfall Edition, remote start via smart key is only available as an upgrade. UVO system application remote start is available on the Nightfall Edition, the EX, and the SX Turbo.
That is the basic availability of a remote start feature on the 2022 Kia Sportage, but you need to know more. In the remainder of this post, we will discuss how remote start works on the Sportage. We will also discuss how useful remote starters can be and the possibility of installing an aftermarket starter yourself.
Remote Start on the Kia Sportage
A remote start feature is available on every trim of the 2022 Kia Sportage. But, when we look at the specs comparisons page of Kia's website, we see that it's not standard on all Kia Sportage trims.
The first two trims are the Kia Sportage LX and Nightfall Edition. While these two trims are packed with great features, they are not standard with a remote starter. Instead, you have the option to upgrade either of these trims to include the smart key that enables the remote start feature.
The other two more premium trims are the Kia Sportage EX and SX Turbo. Each of these trims comes with the smart key as a standard feature. This means that remote start is included on both trims without the need for an upgrade.
How Do I Remote Start my Kia Sportage?
According to this guide written by a Kia Dealership in Delray, Florida, there are two ways to remote start a Kia Sportage. First, you can start your Kia Sportage LX, Nightfall, EX, and SX Turbo at a distance using the Kia Smart Key.
The Kia Smart Key has a range of 500 feet and can be used to both lock/unlock your Sportage or start it remotely. Additionally, the Smart Key has an Immobilize feature, making it impossible to start the vehicle without the Smart Key.
The Smart Key is the more basic way of starting your Sportage at a distance. But Kia has come up with a more high-tech way of doing so using your smartphone.
Does Kia Have an App for Remote Start?
The second method for remote starting a Kia Sportage is through the Kia UVO application. While the application is not solely for remote start, it is one of the functions. UVO allows you to start and control your vehicle's climate from afar, making your car the perfect temperature when you first get in.
What is the Kia UVO System?
The Kia UVO System is a premium subscription-based service that gives you increased connectivity between your phone and Kia vehicle through a mobile application. The UVO system application communicates commands to your Kia from your phone. Features of the UVO system include maintenance alerts, alarm alerts, remote starting of climate functions, and a Find my Car feature.
Although the Kia UVO System is only available through subscription, Kia typically offers promotions that give users one year of free service. There are four levels of service that go from Lite to Ultimate. These levels increase in price and the number of accessible features.
Is the UVO System Available on all Kia Sportage Trims?
Circling back to the Sportage, remote starting via the UVO system application is only available on certain trims. Kia has a webpage that tells you whether or not a specific model is compatible with the UVO system.
So, for the 2022 Sportage, only the SX Turbo has the UVO Link System as a standard feature. Additionally, you can upgrade both the Nightfall Edition and the EX to have the UVO Link System in their software. The Nightfall edition requires an upgrade to the Premium Package, while the EX requires an upgrade to the Technology Package.
Unfortunately, the UVO Link System is not available on the base trim of the Kia Sportage, the LX. The only way to have remote start capabilities in this trim is through the smart key upgrade.
Does the 2020 Kia Sportage Have UVO?
According to the Kia UVO website database, the 2020 Kia Sportage is available with the UVO system, but not always as a standard feature. The 2020 Kia Sportage has four potential trims, just like the 2022 version. Those trims are called EX, LX, S, and SX. For three of those four trims, the UVO system is only available with certain upgrade packages.
For example, the Sportage EX with the Technology Package upgrade comes with UVO. The same goes for the Sportage S with the Premium Package upgrade and the SX Turbo Beige Edition. The SX Turbo is also the only trim that comes with UVO Link as a standard feature. The rest of the 2020 Kia Sportages do not have UVO Link regardless of trim or package combination.
How Much Does it Cost to Add Remote Start to a Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage has been around since the 1990s, but the remote start wasn't always a key feature on the compact SUV. Moreso, the UVO Link System has only been around since the year 2014. Consequently, many Kia Sportages in North America do not have any remote start system.
If a remote starter is a feature you need in your Kia Sportage, you are not options. There are ways to install aftermarket remote starters onto just about any vehicle. But the process requires either a professional or some automotive know-how. There is a huge range of pricing involved with auto work like this, but it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg for a Kia.
According to Consumer Reports, the cost for adding a remote start to a vehicle can range between $200 and $800, depending on the vehicle type. Seeing how Kia has a large presence in North America, the cost to add a remote starter to a Sportage will be on the lower end of that estimate.
To start, you will need to buy a remote starter kit. There are plenty of online options made to fit any vehicle type, including the Kia Sportage. After that, you'll have to self-install or seek out professional help. Here's an example of a remote starter kit from Amazon:
Click here to see the Easyguard EC003 Smart Key at Amazon.
Are Remote Car Starters Worth it?
After learning about the process and costs of adding a remote starter to an older vehicle like a Kia Sportage, you might be wondering if the feature is even worth it. The biggest benefit to having a remote starter is the remote climate control capabilities that come along with it.
Having a remote starter can be an absolute lifesaver if you live in a particularly cold or hot climate. For example, starting your car from inside your home is almost necessary if you live in a cold climate. Once you arrive in your car, the inside will be warm and the windshield defrosted.
On the other hand, if you live in a very temperate environment, you could live without a remote start. But, if you're getting your remote start capabilities through an application like the Kia UVO Link System, there are plenty of features other than remote start that can make the system altogether worth it.
In Closing
All of the 2022 Kia Sportage trims have the potential to have a remote start feature. Some you may have to upgrade in technology or luxury level, but the feature is available nonetheless. You can have a remote start on your Kia Sportage in one of two ways; smart key or UVO Link system. The Smart Key system is simple but free once you own the vehicle. But the UVO Link System operates on a subscription that you will have to continue to invest in to unlock your extra features.
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