Kia split on CarPlay around 2017
Kia shares its electronics with Hyundai, and the timeline is the same: CarPlay and Android Auto appeared on the 7 and 8-inch touchscreen from about 2017 and were standard across the range by 2019. Before that, nothing — and no software update adds it, because the older head units have neither the processor nor the USB stack for it.
So the question is only which side of that line your Kia sits on. A Ceed JD, Rio UB, Sportage SL or QL, Sorento XM or UM, Optima JF or Picanto TA with the CD radio takes a car-specific Android screen: wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, the factory camera carried over and a fascia moulded for the dash. A newer Kia with the tile menu already has CarPlay, and the only thing worth adding is a wireless adapter.
Kia models we work on
| Model | Years | What we fit |
|---|---|---|
| Ceed JD | 2012–2018 | Android screen with the Ceed fascia |
| Ceed CD | 2018 on | Factory CarPlay — wireless adapter |
| Rio UB | 2011–2017 | Android screen with the Rio fascia |
| Picanto TA | 2011–2017 | Android screen with the Picanto fascia |
| Sportage SL | 2010–2015 | Android screen, camera on the same screen |
| Sportage QL | 2016–2018 | Android screen on cars without the touchscreen |
| Sorento XM | 2009–2014 | Android screen with the Sorento fascia |
| Sorento UM | 2015–2018 | Android screen for Sorento — see the install |
| Optima JF | 2011–2015 | Android screen for Optima — see the install |
| Venga | 2010–2019 | Android screen with the Venga fascia |
| Niro, XCeed, EV6 | 2017 on | Factory CarPlay — wireless adapter |
What changes on the dash
The Kia radio comes out with its bracket and the new screen goes back on the same bracket behind a moulded fascia, so the opening closes with no gap and no cut trim. Power, speakers, camera, antenna and the CAN lines all come through the factory plugs — nothing spliced — so the steering-wheel buttons and the cluster display keep working. The climate controls stay physical. We keep the original radio in the box, so the car can go back to standard at resale.
Prices
- Sorento UM and Optima JF — €290 supply-only, fitting booked at checkout.
- Other models — quoted once we know the year and the radio fitted.
- Wireless adapter for a Kia with factory wired CarPlay — ask; it is a plug-in.
- Two to three hours, usually the same day.
Why Radio King
Kia and Hyundai share a platform and we fit both weekly — the Optima and Sorento installs on the case pages below are ours. Rosemount Business Park, Dublin 11, a demo stand to try the screen first, one-year warranty on the unit and the fitting, 4.8 stars on Google.
