[picstart]

KIA wants $145 for the map upgrade. Not long ago you could buy a portable GPS unit plus the maps for that.Does anyone see this as worth the money?

 

[yticolev]

Since the iPhone 4, GPS sales have plummeted, both standalone units and built ins. Why go through that expense when you have a number of free apps that have updated data by the second in your pocket that are better?

 

[Beth]

I saw on Kia's website that you got 6 free map updates over 7 years. Does that not apply to Niro?

 

[cockedandglocked]

If you have an android or apple, you should just plug your phone in and use it's Google maps or Waze on your car's screen, instead of whatever the built in GPS program is. It even has the added bonus of auto-rerouting you if there's a temporary road closure, traffic, etc.

I don't even know if my Niro is equipped with GPS or not, I never checked because I just logically assumed it would probably be much worse than just using my phone's gps.

So to answer your question, no I don't see it as being worth it. I wouldn't even pay a dollar for a map update. Even if you REALLY want to use the car's GPS, I can't imagine the roads have changed that much in the last 2 years.


The only scenario where I might consider it is if I frequently drive somewhere without cellular data signal, but even then I'd probably just get a $50 portable GPS from Amazon instead of paying that insane software patch fee. And with Google maps on your phone, you can usually download offline maps to use when you have no cell coverage.

 

[lafe005]

I saw on Kia's website that you got 6 free map updates over 7 years. Does that not apply to Niro?

Could be interesting to have the link!

 

[yticolev]

The only scenario where I might consider it is if I frequently drive somewhere without cellular data signal, but even then I'd probably just get a $50 portable GPS from Amazon instead of paying that insane software patch fee. And with Google maps on your phone, you can usually download offline maps to use when you have no cell coverage.

You can buy maps that work entirely offline for your phone (they take up a lot of memory), but they are not necessary once your trip is mapped with a data connection. The entire trip is loaded (at least on Google), and GPS is still active and will give you audio and screen directions. You no longer need a cellular connection for the trip.

 

[Beth]

Here's the link. The salesman had no knowledge of it. https://www.kia.com/ie/service/mobility/map-updates/


I'm thinking I better screenshot the pages for proof later on.

 

[deltasmith]

Looks like the updates are free in Europe, but I don't think that page applies to the US. (Click the "Find a Dealer" button on that page).


This is the link that was e-mailed to me a few days ago: https://www.kia-gpsmap.us/map-updates.html


Looks like they release updates twice a year and as the OP noted, they want $145 (or more). The update also includes software updates. There's a manual on the page for each model that describes the software changes.


At these prices, if I ever do decide to purchase a map update, it's likely to be a few years from now.

 

[Roadkill401]

That is cheep compaired to the ones that Ford sold. You were far better off with ford as the maps were on an SD card, to buy an older version off ebay for $60 compaired to the $350+ that the dealer said they will cost. And from what I have gathered, the new maps they sell are at least 2-3 years out of date from what is actually out there. That was one of the big reasons for my liking the Niro. Apple Car Play and Google Audo support. I would rather use my phone and have maps that are at most months out of date rather than the car versions that are years.


They are doing new developments above where I live. Google has them on their maps. I went to the dealership and tired one of the GPS in the showroom model of a Sorento and it couldn't find streets that have been there for amost 2 years now. One would assume that the dealerships would put cars on the floor with uptodate maps.

 

[dsh72]

Hello everyone,

Everyone has their own opinion and yes most of the time the sat/navs are not the most current. I like the navigation and the Google Auto isn't as full featured as I thought it would be. I've used it on a few trips and haven't had any real concerns with the routing.

 

[tonepad]

Big fan of the Apple CarPlay option. I was a huge fan of Waze and was an early adopter of that since it was launched before our cars got “smart” options. I decided to try out CarPlay and I’m sold on that now. Here’s one cool thing it does that I find really useful. While you’re in your house or other location out of car getting ready to leave for a destination, search for it on your iPhone Apple maps app and when you get in the car, plug in your phone to usb (note this doesn’t work on Bluetooth only...you have to plug it in.)....the CarPlay option lights up green on your center screen and as soon as you open it there, the CarPlay map will reflect the desitination search on your phone. You just tap the GO option onscreen. I imagine Android Auto does this as well. Not sure if Waze does this on the iPhone CarPlay handshake, though I have Waze on my phone and it’s there on CarPlay as well. Apple maps has gotten much better over the years after many years of being a joke and I have to admit I like that it doesn’t seem to farm out your location data like Google does. In fact I’ve just turned that off in my Google security prefs...one of the easier things to do, since I’m not using google maps/Waze.

 

[nsoltz]

Just got the update SD card yesterday. Has anyone actually installed it? Any issues?


I agree that Apple Car Play is superior but wife primarily drives the Niro PHEV and she doesn't want to try Car Play (that's another discussion).

 

[judyn]

My husband just discovered this too... We are getting quite enamored with the Kia map program. I will not use phones. I want a big screen. We have a lovely separate GPS that came with maps forever, but the last time we tried to update it a few years ago it failed. We need to call the vendor, but it doesn't happen... Our separate one AND the Kia one have upcoming turns in a way the driver can see them plus I like speed limit displayed because at least here in Texas they change constantly as you drive down the road, often for no reason that you can figure out.

Mostly we would need an update for speed limit changes.

Kia's monitor layout is such you can have the map program open and do something else and it's easy to go back and forth. We never used our Prius GPS.

 

[[email protected]]

My husband just discovered this too... We are getting quite enamored with the Kia map program. I will not use phones. I want a big screen. We have a lovely separate GPS that came with maps forever, but the last time we tried to update it a few years ago it failed. We need to call the vendor, but it doesn't happen... Our separate one AND the Kia one have upcoming turns in a way the driver can see them plus I like speed limit displayed because at least here in Texas they change constantly as you drive down the road, often for no reason that you can figure out.

Mostly we would need an update for speed limit changes.

Kia's monitor layout is such you can have the map program open and do something else and it's easy to go back and forth. We never used our Prius GPS.

You are a prime candidate for CarPlay, then. If you can take time to figure it out for yourself, it allows you to use apple maps or, even better, Waze. Waze is updated frequently and lists speed limits. It even has construction speed limits when they are a lengthy repair. In CarPlay your Kia will display your phone app on the big screen and will allow touch control, too.

 

[[email protected]]

I am completely maddened by a $145 charge to update my maps. I do enjoy using them but routinely use CarPlay maps. I wouldn’t mind an inexpensive upgrade like $20 on my next maintenance visit. But anything more is just a rip-off these days. As a matter of fact, if one buys a Kia, they should be entitled to a free upgrade whenever one is available, via satellite download.

 

[40wnks]

I am too cheap to use cellular data and we bought a Garmin several years back with free updates. We had several Priuses (or Priui) and Toyotas’ GPS has sucked in all of them plus updates are $160 here. So this way we have a backup GPS if needed.
Bill