UVO Expiring Soon

[Kao]

My UVO subscription ends at the end of this month. I don't think it's worth paying for, at any amount per month, given so many other car companies include this free.

I have remote start on my key fob and do like that, so that's not affected. What else will I be missing? I do use Android auto to hook up Waze app every day. Will this still work without UVO?

I don't care about the monthly status reports. Don't care about scheduling appointments on the app. I don't care that it tells me my doors are unlocked. I can't lock my keys in the car, so do I need unlock service? What am I missing?? Why would anyone pay for this service??

I spent almost $50k on this car. It should be free for life of car.

 

[PittPa]

Not going to convince you but just a couple thoughts. The AVERAGE new car price for 2021 was $42K! I know $50k is a lot of money but the extra $8k you spent isn't going to give you lifetime freebies. Also everything is relative but my UVO subscription cost the equivalent $12.50/mo or maybe 2 Starbucks Grand latte's. Granted I have a 2020 but the ability to remote start my car from anywhere in the winter is enough alone to skip the 2 coffee's.

 

[Kao]

I agree, if I didn't have the remote start fob, I probably would pay for the service. But since I do...

 

[byscott]

When my subscription expires, I'm expecting my wife to pay for the service. She will do this to prevent me asking her, "Hey, did I remember to lock the car?"

Seriously, I like being able to start the car from anywhere. And the remote climate stuff looks like it'll be useful in winter.

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[arattle]

My UVO subscription ends at the end of this month. I don't think it's worth paying for, at any amount per month, given so many other car companies include this free.

I have remote start on my key fob and do like that, so that's not affected. What else will I be missing? I do use Android auto to hook up Waze app every day. Will this still work without UVO?

I don't care about the monthly status reports. Don't care about scheduling appointments on the app. I don't care that it tells me my doors are unlocked. I can't lock my keys in the car, so do I need unlock service? What am I missing?? Why would anyone pay for this service??

I spent almost $50k on this car. It should be free for life of car.

I've had the car two months, haven't used UVO once. Car is kept in the garage, even my remote start doesn't get much of a workout (yet). I'd keep the app if it was free, but there's nothing I'm willing to pay for there. I'd rather get Apple TV+ and Discovery+ for the same money (which I also don't need that badly).

 

[Tellthemride]

I do use Android auto to hook up Waze app every day. Will this still work without UVO?

UVO subscription will not affect AA or Carplay functions. It will still work after UVO expires.

I don't care that it tells me my doors are unlocked. I can't lock my keys in the car, so do I need unlock service?

The unlocked door notifications surprisingly still works even without a paid UVO subscription. The only thing is, you won’t be able to lock your car if you are outside of the fob range without the paid subscription.

I don't care about the monthly status reports. Don't care about scheduling appointments on the app.

Without paid subscription the app still lets you know if you have open recalls, and allows you to schedule service appointments.

The bread and butter of the app most certainly is the remote start and remote lock/unlock functions. The next most talked about feature is the on-board navigation POI searches (allows you to search results from the internet). If you don’t find yourself using the app for these features, definitely do not feel obligated to renew service. If you ever find you change your mind or plan a road trip where you might need these features, you can always activate for one month and then cancel it again.

For 2021 and 2022 model year owners, I have not heard of an aftermarket option to UVO. For 2020 owners, invest in accessorides, and you can pay for 3 years of smartphone remote start and lock/unlock for less than what it costs UVO for one year of service.

 

[Kao]

UVO subscription will not affect AA or Carplay functions. It will still work after UVO expires...

Thank you! That is an very helpful info. Maybe if enough people let their subscription expire Kia will drop price or make it free altogether. When I let my SiriusXM free trial period expire, I got an offer for $2.99 pet month.

 

[DarkMossJustin]

I find myself using it enough to justify paying for it when the free trial ends.

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[Kao]

I find myself using it enough to justify paying for it when the free trial ends.

Just out of curiosity, what features do you use that much?

 

[Bohen]

I use the app everyday I warm up my vehicle before I get in it to go to work and back home unlock the doors and it's just good for the extra features.
I've heard somewhere that they offer a deeper discount the closer you get Charles is trying to find out as I get closer to the expiration date of the free trial.

 

[Indy Dick]

I'm going to be faced with the same decision in the near future. I do like the remote start in the winter but that is changing since my wife is working at home now. I wouldn't even consider it if the fob start had a range of more than about 10 ft. What a joke. Go stand next to your car and remote start it. Yeah that works. LOL.

 

[varunaX]

Pretty sure onboard navigation depends on uvo. Without it, nav guidance won't work. Kinda important for those who don't plug in their phone everytime they drive

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[DarkMossJustin]

Just out of curiosity, what features do you use that much?

Mostly all the convenience features. I could probably live without them, but they do enhance my overall positive Telluride SX P/T ownership experience

Nav/POI (I don't like GoogleMaps via CarPlay and am often out of phone range)
Alerts (helpful)
Reminders (maintenance)
Remote access via my phone
-Horn, lights, start/stop, climate, etc.
I'm a bit obsessive with the Kia Access app checking on my car, mileage, remaining range, trip info etc.
I also like the monthly updates.

 

[Tellthemride]

Pretty sure onboard navigation depends on uvo. Without it, nav guidance won't work. Kinda important for those who don't plug in their phone everytime they drive

Not true. My nav works perfectly fine without paid UVO subscription. Paid UVO is only for internet assisted POI searching/routing and internet assisted voice recognition.

Compare Packages

owners.kia.com

Nav/POI
Alerts (helpful)
Reminders (maintenance)
Remote access via my phone
-Horn, lights, start/stop, climate, etc.
I'm a bit obsessive with the Kia Access app checking on my car, mileage, remaining range, trip info etc.
I also like the monthly updates.

Nav/POI
Still works without paying if you are fine with pre-loaded map data. (ie. equivalent of Garmin gps device) Only time a lot of people would use on-board nav is when they find themselves outside cell service range for using smartphone nav.

Alerts (helpful)
Still get door unlocked alerts without paying. Pretty sure ROA alerts as well.

Reminders (maintenance)
Maintenance info is still fully accessible on the app without paying.

Remote access via my phone
-Horn, lights, start/stop, climate, etc.
These features are fully lost without paid subscription.

I'm a bit obsessive with the Kia Access app checking on my car, mileage, remaining range, trip info etc.
This is all fully accessible on the app without paying.

I also like the monthly updates
Requires paid subscription.

Also trip info is fully accessible, and current location of the car is still accessible, but the Get Directions button will be greyed out. Just use another map app to get directions. The Find My Car button isn’t necessary if you simply update Vehicle Status on the main screen. It may take 2 minutes to refresh the car location in the app.

Some screenshots of what the app looks like without paid subscription below. Just to be clear I am not against anybody in their personal decision to renew their paid subscription. Just want to get the facts out there so owners can make their own informed decision and know what they would really be losing out on.

 

[gman1868]

I've got until the end of November, maybe they'll have a Black Friday special

 

[DarkMossJustin]

Not true. My nav works perfectly fine without paid UVO subscription. Paid UVO is only for internet assisted POI searching/routing and internet assisted voice recognition.

Compare Packages

owners.kia.com

Nav/POI
Still works without paying if you are fine with pre-loaded map data. (ie. equivalent of Garmin gps device) Only time a lot of people would use on-board nav is when they find themselves outside cell service range for using smartphone nav.

Alerts (helpful)
Still get door unlocked alerts without paying. Pretty sure ROA alerts as well.

Reminders (maintenance)
Maintenance info is still fully accessible on the app without paying.

Remote access via my phone
-Horn, lights, start/stop, climate, etc.
These features are fully lost without paid subscription.

I'm a bit obsessive with the Kia Access app checking on my car, mileage, remaining range, trip info etc.
This is all fully accessible on the app without paying.

I also like the monthly updates
Requires paid subscription.

Also trip info is fully accessible, and current location of the car is still accessible, but the Get Directions button will be greyed out. Just use another map app to get directions. The Find My Car button isn’t necessary if you simply update Vehicle Status on the main screen. It may take 2 minutes to refresh the car location in the app.

Some screenshots of what the app looks like without paid subscription below. Just to be clear I am not against anybody in their personal decision to renew their paid subscription. Just want to get the facts out there so owners can make their own informed decision and know what they would really be losing out on.


View attachment 23318View attachment 23319View attachment 23320

@Tellthemride: Thanks for the screenshots.

I get that not everyone wants to keep it going, and to each their own.

I did go over the different levels of UVO packages and for me, there's likely value in keeping similar functionality to what I have now. I'll wait to see what Kia offers me for the special end-of-trial pricing.

I'm going to want to keep those awesome remote access features + prefer on-board Nav, and the full array of alerts (including Geofence, speed , haven't used them all yet, but prefer the option of having them).

If the price isn't right, I can always say no.

Had plenty of practice saying "no" in my Kia Telluride ownership experience.

No drilling into the beautiful front-end of my Telly to mount a front license plate.
No markup over MSRP
No to all offers in finance
No to extended warranties
No last-minute surprise dealer options/Nitrogen-filled tires/VIN etching
No mysterious interior/exterior treatments/coatings
No extension on SiriusXM beyond the trial.

I'll break a long-running "no" streak if I answer yes to another year of UVO

______________________________

 

[bruesjoh04]

My UVO subscription ends at the end of this month. I don't think it's worth paying for, at any amount per month, given so many other car companies include this free.

I have remote start on my key fob and do like that, so that's not affected. What else will I be missing? I do use Android auto to hook up Waze app every day. Will this still work without UVO?

I don't care about the monthly status reports. Don't care about scheduling appointments on the app. I don't care that it tells me my doors are unlocked. I can't lock my keys in the car, so do I need unlock service? What am I missing?? Why would anyone pay for this service??

I spent almost $50k on this car. It should be free for life of car.

I’m curious what other companies offer any connected services for free forever. There are varying lengths of free trials (Hyundai gives you three free years of Bluelink, for example). But at some point, if you want the service to continue, you’re going to have to pay. The cost of keeping these modern vehicles connected to their cell network certainly isn’t free.

I’ve been paying for OnStar on my SS since its free trial ended many years ago. I recently found out not only did they increase the monthly cost (whatever), but they removed the remote functions like lock, unlock, remote start, instant diagnostics, etc, from that tier. So if I want to get that back, it’s another $10+ a month ($40 total). Makes UVO look like a good deal.

Both my SS and Telluride were roughly $50k cars… i didn’t expect lifetime free service on either.

Also consider the value you get fron Kia and Hyundai, who happen to offer free and frequent map updates. On any other factory navigation-equipped car I’ve owned, the only way to upgrade the maps was to shell out at least $100 (sometimes up to $250) every year or so. So you’re saving a bit there.

Regardless, it’s up to you to decide what you find important. There’s a lot of info here to show what you will (and won’t) lose by letting your subscription lapse. I personally keep mine going because I like having the peace of mind and knowing that I have everything available to me.

 

[PittPa]

I'm going to be faced with the same decision in the near future. I do like the remote start in the winter but that is changing since my wife is working at home now. I wouldn't even consider it if the fob start had a range of more than about 10 ft. What a joke. Go stand next to your car and remote start it. Yeah that works. LOL.

Thats been my thought process on the remote on the fob. I guess if you live in Minnesota and you park your car outside your front window 10 feet away it works, but for anything of any real situation? I went to a football game last year and it was freezing. Being able to start my car on the walk over and jump into a warm car was great.

 

[Point37]

can't even have UVO in MA so it's no worry here...is there any advantage to having the kia access app without UVO?...my wife has a 22 SX...i her car has remote start but i have never tried it...it's usually parked in the garage or at her work but i'm sure she would use it at work...there are so many features in this car...we really haven't gotten into what it can do...this car is like have a 1000cc race bike but riding on local roads all the time...we'll never use all the stuff it has...i thought getting smart thermostats that i could control from a phone app was cool...my main reason for putting them in was just so when my daughter was napping upstairs i could adjust the temp without going upstairs and potentially waking her up...but we don't use any of the smart features...yet still def worth it!

 

[Kao]

can't even have UVO in MA so it's no worry here...is there any advantage to having the kia access app without UVO?...my wife has a 22 SX...i her car has remote start but i have never tried it...it's usually parked in the garage or at her work but i'm sure she would use it at work...there are so many features in this car...we really haven't gotten into what it can do...this car is like have a 1000cc race bike but riding on local roads all the time...we'll never use all the stuff it has...i thought getting smart thermostats that i could control from a phone app was cool...my main reason for putting them in was just so when my daughter was napping upstairs i could adjust the temp without going upstairs and potentially waking her up...but we don't use any of the smart features...yet still def worth it!

Remote start is great for pre warming up the car on those cold mornings and before the drive home at night. Make sure she hits the lock button first, then remote start and hold it for 3 seconds.