cars news 10: 2017 Kia Sportage EX AWD Update 2: Apple CarPlay and iOS 10

Updating a car can involve a new set of wheels or all-weather floormats, but what’s crazy about some newer cars is that people without any special automotive knowledge can add a useful feature to their car by following simple directions from the automaker. That’s what happened to our 2017 Kia Sportage EX AWD long-termer, which now has Apple CarPlay thanks to a few easy steps and one quiet drive home.

The Sportage’s infotainment system is already pretty good, but Apple CarPlay (and the also-available Android Auto) have some advantages. So as soon as I found out that Kia and Hyundai were offering an update to the car’s software that owners could perform themselves, I got started. Because our Sportage is equipped with a navigation system, I followed these directions with the car’s SD card, but if my 2017 Sportage lacked that feature, I would have used a USB drive and these directions. Curious if your Kia is eligible for the upgrade? In a July 19 release, the automaker noted that some trims of these cars might be eligible for a free update:

2017 Kia Forte
2015-2016 Kia Optima (and hybrid)
2015-2016 Kia Sedona
2014-2016 Kia Soul (and the 2015-2016 Soul EV)
2016 Kia Sorento
2017 Kia Sportage

With the SD card, all I had to do was follow the directions and continue with my work day until the update was installed. The only real sacrifice came with my drive home that day, which involved awkwardly listening to music from the single speaker of my iPhone while the car’s infotainment system updated itself, taking about 40 minutes.

Why Care About Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

Apple CarPlay’s biggest advantage (and that of Android Auto) is on cars without an integrated navigation system, such as our long-term 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. Suddenly, with Apple CarPlay, you’ve got navigation, and as a bonus, it’s linked to your phone. In the Kia’s case, I sacrifice the navigation’s helpful speed-limit display for CarPlay’s ability to track what’s already on my phone. If, for example, I left open an address on the Maps app of my iPhone, once I plug in the phone to the car, the system makes it easy for me to pull up that address and get directions.

Apple CarPlay also makes text messaging much safer and easier. When a message comes in, the system can read the message aloud and, with voice command, compose a response message while you’re driving.

Now that iOS 10 has arrived for newer iPhones, the Maps app finally allows an option to avoid toll roads whether you’re using the 2-D or 3-D map view. Also with iOS 10, I can move compatible apps I use most frequently to the first display page of icons on the Sportage’s 8.0-inch screen.

Although I still like Kia’s own navigation system and especially the speed limit display, I’m thankful the automaker offered this update. Whether you are forced to update your own car after a notification from the automaker or get a car with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto already installed, I’ve found it to be a meaningful upgrade, and because I did it myself, it was free.

More on our long-term Kia Sportage right here: