Hyundai and Kia set to bring vehicle smartphone apps to Australian customers this year

Hyundai’s Bluelink app will debut on the Palisade later this year, before being rolled out to electric models. Images: Hyundai Australia

Welcome news this week as both Hyundai and Kia have announced Australian customers will soon have access to smartphone apps with connected car services, allowing owners to connect to their respective vehicles and even remotely set functions for battery electric models. This functionality — or lack thereof —has been a sore point for many Australian buyers investing in the Korean brands’ latest models, with the feature available on Tesla, Volvo and Polestar models.

Hyundai’s Bluelink app will debut alongside the 2023 Palisade in the second half of this year, before “gradually rolling out across the Hyundai model range”. Hyundai Australia hasn’t stated just when (or if) owners of current MY22 IONIQ 5 electric vehicles will be able to use the app with their vehicles.

According to Hyundai, The Hyundai Bluelink app lets users find their car, or search for a destination, parking space, service station or restaurant on their smartphone, and then send the location straight to the in-car navigation system.

In the event of an accident that causes the airbags to deploy, the vehicle will automatically call for help, with emergency assistance also available by pressing the SOS button 24/7, 365 days a year.

Bluelink also brings quick access to important data such as driving information records, as well as letting users keep an eye on key parts of their Hyundai including tyres, brakes, airbags and other safety and security features. Last Mile Navigation lets users continue the in-car route guidance on their smartphone after parking, all the way to their desired destination.

The Bluelink app will give Hyundai drivers access to vehicle controls and more.

EV specific features of Bluelink

EV models take this remote-control functionality even further, allowing users to schedule cabin heating and cooling. Scheduled charging can also be controlled remotely, to capture off-peak electricity rates and manage charging for battery life.

Kia’s app, dubbed Kia Connect, provides customer benefits in safety and security, control, connectivity, and LIVE services by using telematics to transfer real time data such as weather and traffic information, charging station information and more. Kia’s Voice Car Control system featuring Natural Voice Recognition technology allows occupants to control key vehicle systems such as temperature and audio settings.

Kia Connect will debut in Australia on the MY23 Niro HEV and EV GT-Line models. Image: Kia Motors

Kia Connect to debut with the 2023 Niro HEV and EV GT-Line

The Kia Connect smartphone app will also allow users to connect with their vehicle remotely. Drivers can sync calendars, plan journeys with online navigation and access onboard features including live traffic alerts and real-time weather forecasts. An End Destination Guidance feature helps customers navigate to their destination on foot once their all-new Niro is parked using Google Maps and augmented reality (AR) technology. Valet Mode enables customers to monitor their vehicle remotely when it is being driven by another user, providing added peace of mind.

Kia Connect will debut on the new Niro HEV and EV in GT-Line trims when the vehicle debuts in Australia next month. Functionality will include:

A screenshot from our first experience with Volvo’s smartphone app

• Remote engine start

• Remote climate control

• Remote door lock/unlock

• Remote seat heating/ventilation control

• Check vehicle status

• Valet Parking mode

• Kia Connect Live Services

• Emergency call (Safety and Security)

• Vehicle Tracking (Safety and Security)

• Stolen Vehicle Ignition Control (Safety and Security)

• Send Destination 2 Car (from Smartphone)

• Local Search

• Voice Control (eg.Temperature/Weather info/Handsfree call)

• Integrate personal calendar and show calendar events

• EV Charging Station locations

Many manufacturers claim advancements in connectivity and voice recognition systems, but we still find that Google is the leader in this field, and Polestar’s full integration of Google’s Android Automotive system is the best in the business. It makes us wonder why OEMs continue to invest in in-house systems.

While Tesla’s app connectivity is still the benchmark in terms of the user interface and experience, offering full remote control of the vehicle’s charging, climate, lights, storage compartments and “summon” driving on some models, other brands are cottoning on pretty quickly. Volvo and Polestar now offer connected smartphone apps, as do BMW, Ford and Mercedes-Benz in some markets.

Kia's EV6, and high performance EV6 GT revealed; headed for Australia, US and Europe in 2021

The KIA EV6 Range

Three models available; EV6, EV6 GT-Line and EV6 GT

800V architecture with 510km max. range, 0-80% charge in 18 minutes

58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery sizes available; 2WD and 4WD variants

EV6 GT fastest Kia ever with 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 3.5s from 430 kW, 740 Nm dual motors

Another day, another good looking electric vehicle from South Korea it seems. Kia is making a big deal about its first EV to be based on the E-GMP platform shared with Hyundai, and for good reason; the EV6 leads the automaker’s rollout of 11 new BEVs by 2026, and is fundamental to Kia’s ambitions to grow BEV sales to 880,000 units worldwide by 2030.

Exterior Design

Kia’s EV6 debuts the company’s new design philosophy known as ‘Opposites United’, which “takes inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity”. Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center, elaborated: “EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centred, progressive design and electrified power. We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV era. With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes while providing a dedicated EV aiming to define our future.”

The EV6 sports the high-riding semi-crossover look of the Polestar 2, thanks to its battery pack in the floor. Interestingly, the wheelbase of 2,900mm (115 inches) is 100mm shorter than its sister Hyundai IONIQ 5, and almost the same as Tesla’s Model Y (2,891mm).

It’s a sporty—if a little understated—look; the short front overhang and plunging hood works well with the ‘tiger face’ angular headlights, and the big wheels offset the slab-sided profile view. The rear of the EV6 is highlighted by that nifty ducktail spoiler, and the descending highlight that blends into the side sill.

Kia’s EV6 GT-Line has some very pleasing design elements. Images: Kia

Interior Design

The EV6 interior is somewhat familiar to the IONIQ 5, but still retains its own identity. The dual screens, floating centre console and elevated driving position are similar to the Hyundai, but darker interior tones, sport-themed highlights and textures, and figure hugging seats differentiate the GT-Line and GT models. If the IONIQ 5 aims to offer the high-end ambience of a living room, the EV6 is positioned as the choice for sportier drivers.

Speaking of those seats, they’re made from recycled plastics, and demonstrate a trend of the auto industry moving to cruelty-free interiors ultilising natural fibres, recycled materials and animal free surfaces. That long wheel base translates to trunk space of 520 litres, and plenty of rear legroom.

The dual 12-inch screens are connected behind one piece of reinforced glass, and the EV6 also features an augmented reality head-up display system, as we’ve seen on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Like the IONIQ 5, the vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature can supply up to 3.6kW of power to devices, and can even charge another EV.

The EV6 GT-Line interior, is sporty, premium, and shouldn’t scare away first-time EV buyers.

Battery and Drivetrain

Let’s get one thing straight; in GT trim, this is the fastest Kia ever. Battery and electric motor technology is so advanced now that BEVs simply leave petrol, diesel and hydrogen cars in their wake. In base trim, the EV6 features a 58 kWh battery, with a single rear motor, 125kW (203 PS) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft). It’s good enough to propel the EV6 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 seconds.

Step up to the EV6 GT, and you’re rewarded with a 77.4 kWh battery, 430 kW (584 PS) and 730 Nm (538 lb-ft), from two electric motors. That’s enough grunt to propel the EV6 GT to 100km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds, and it makes Kia’s previous king of performance—the Stinger GT with 274 kW, 510NM and a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds—look like a steam locomotive.

Full specifications are below; if you’re a customer who is interested in the model with the best efficiency/range for your dollar, the rear-wheel-drive 77kWh EV6 long range is the one to go for with 510 km (316 miles) WLTP range.

Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform underpins the Kia EV6.

Like Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, the EV6 features 400V and 800V electrical architecture, across all models. Kia quotes the ability to charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes on all variations, or a top-up charge of 100km of driving range in less than four and a half minutes when pairing 2WD with the 77.4-kWh battery option.

With an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), the EV6 allows for vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, supplying up to 3.6 kW of power to charge another EV (albeit slowly) or power household items such as a laptop, or, according to Kia, a 55 inch television and an air conditioner for 24 hours.

Under the hood, there’s an energy efficient heat pump, which recovers waste heat from vehicle systems, and helps to improve range. Energy recuperation is also standard, and can be controlled by the paddles on the back of the steering wheel. Six recuperation modes allow drivers to customise the drive to their liking; many EV fans will be pleased to know one-pedal driving is possible with the Kia EV6.

Kia EV6 specifications supplied by Kia Motors

Autonomy and Technology

We mentioned the augmented reality head-up display earlier; this system projects driving information onto the base of the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight, including alerts from the car’s Advanced Driver Assistance System, details of vehicle speed, and turn-by-turn navigation instructions.

Kia Connect is included, promising real time services and over-the-air updates. Kia Connect will also allow drivers to find EV charging points, plan charging schedules, and check the range radius based on remaining charge and consumption.

Lane Following Assist (LFA) centers the Kia EV6 in the middle of the lane, and in conjuncion with Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), the EV6 can steer, brake and even change lanes autonomously. Remote Smart Parking Assist—a feature found on most new EVs and premium Euro models now— helps remotely park or exit a tight parking spot via a smartphone app or key.

It’s an exciting time for Kia; new brand identity, new platforms, drivetrains and a solid path towards a fully electric model line up over the next decade. The EV6 should be a car that suits many different buyers from long range highway cruisers, to parents doing the school run.

Pricing is expected to kick off around $45,000 USD or £40,895 in the UK, before government incentives. Australians will have to wait a bit longer for pricing information, but we believe the EV6 will start in the $70,000 price bracket. Northern Hemisphere customers can expect to start seeing cars in summer 2021, while down under, Kia has confirmed the EV6 will go on sale in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of the year.