Does The Kia Telluride Have Remote Start?

If you live in an extremely cold or hot environment, you know how much of a lifesaver having a remote start on your vehicle can be. Many new cars and SUVs have a remote start as either a standard feature or a potential upgrade. If you've narrowed down your list of possible SUVs to a few contenders, you may be wondering if the Kia Telluride has a feature like a remote start. We have researched all of the features of the Telluride and have the answer for you in this post. 

The Kia Telluride comes standard with a smart key that includes a push-button start feature that will start and turn off the engine in your Telluride. Remote start on the Telluride is also possible by connecting a smartphone to the vehicle via the subscription-based UVO application Kia created. 

Those are the available remote start methods for the Kia Telluride, and trim isn't a limiting factor for either of them. However, a lot goes into both of these methods, and there are a few things you should know if you're thinking about purchasing a new Telluride. Please continue reading this post to find out more about the two methods and how installing an aftermarket remote start might affect a Kia warranty. 

A huge Kia logo on a post outside a Kia dealership, Does The Kia Telluride Have Remote Start?

How do you remote start a 2021 Kia Telluride?

Remote start on the Kia Telluride is available through two different mediums. The first method is via the Kia Smart Key, which is not so different than the electronic key fobs that most vehicles have been using for the last 10 or 15 years. The second method is via a smartphone application called UVO link, which connects to your Kia Telluride and allows you to control several functions at a distance.

Remote starting from a smart key

Kia's Telluride SUV's first remote starting method uses the Kia smart key. The Kia smart key features buttons that lock and unlock the car, start the engine, and sound the alarm for when you're in potentially dangerous situations. To start a Kia using the smart key, simply press the corresponding button on the fob. One push will start the engine, and a second push anytime after will turn the engine off. 

The Kia smart key also has a real physical key hidden within it that you can pull out in the event that the smart key battery is dead. That physical key can unlock the doors of the Kia so that you're not locked out. You may need to push the smart key fob against the push-to-start button if the battery is extremely low. 

The smart key allows you to open your doors using a button on the handle instead of touching the key. This is possible because the car can detect the proximity of the key from your pocket or purse — the push-to-start works in the same way. 

What is the Kia smart key's start range?

The smart key that comes standard with your Kia Telluride doesn't have the longest range. The maximum range on the smart key is around 500 feet from the vehicle. So you may not be able to start the car from the other side of an office building, but from your upstairs window or the entrance to a store, it should work just fine. 

The smart key also measures range differently by not allowing the vehicle to start if the key is not present. 

Can I start my Kia with my phone?

Yes, you can totally start your Kia with your smartphone. This question leads us to the second remote start method available to the Telluride SUV, UVO linking. The UVO app allows you to start your Kia at a distance right from your cellphone. Download the UVO app on your smartphone and link it to your compatible Kia vehicle. Check with your manufacturer on which models are UVO compatible. To start the Kia, go to the "Remote" application tab and press the large center button that says "Engine Start."

The UVO app also has functions outside just starting the vehicle remotely. You will find reporting on fuel range, door open/close status, and vehicle health within the app. You can also control all climate settings from the app so that the car is at a comfortable temperature when you first get in. There are also alerts that will notify you when the car drives too fast, too far out of a specific range, or for too long. This function is beneficial when it comes to young drivers or valets. 

More on Kia and the UVO application

The caveat with the UVO app is that it is not free, at least not for the full functionality. The entry-level version of the app, UVO Lite, is free for a five-year period. Kia also offers promotions like one year of free UVO with the purchase of a Kia vehicle, so be on the lookout for those. It never hurts to ask the dealership salesperson if they have any discounts or specials like that available. After those deals, however, UVO typically costs between $59 and $199 per year, depending on feature level. The UVO app is available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. 

The UVO app is incredibly convenient after being correctly linked to your Kia. You'll have no more searching through your purse or backpack for your key in the pouring rain. Simply unlock and start it via the application on your smartphone, something that most people always keep handy. 

Does the Telluride have keyless entry?

Technically, the only keyless entry that the Telluride has is the UVO system, but it essentially turns your smartphone into a key. Unfortunately, there is no keyless entry system like a number code or fingerprint recognition machine on this SUV model. To unlock your Kia Telluride, you will have to utilize either your smart key fob that comes with the vehicle or the UVO smartphone app that's linked to your vehicle. 

It may be possible to have an aftermarket keyless entry installed on a Kia Telluride, but it would have to be done by the manufacturer or Kia dealership certified technician. If this is something you're interested in, please speak with your local Kia dealer to see if it's possible. Otherwise, using the UVO system to unlock your car is the best option. 

Does aftermarket remote start void Kia's warranty?

Some third-party manufactured remote start setups you can have installed on your vehicle. The issue with modifications like this is that they sometimes void a warranty or reduce the overall resale value. Fortunately, nothing about an aftermarket remote starter will void your automaker's warranty. To avoid accidentally doing something that does, we recommend getting your third-party remote starter installed by a professional. 

Third-party remote starters can be found in online marketplaces like Amazon, where they have models that can connect to smartphone apps. They allow you to lock, unlock, and start your car from a distance without the subscription fee of the UVO system used on many Kias. 

Click here to see the PKE remote start and car door lock system at Amazon. 

A few final words

The Kia Telluride comes with many safety, comfort, and convenience features. If you are in the market for a new SUV, you can rest assured that the Telluride comes with a remote start, and you can undoubtedly tell that people who have these features typically don't want to ever revert to a regular car after use. 

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