You must have an Android device with 5.0 Lollipop or newer version to use Android Auto on Kia Sorento. Android 6.0 Marshmallow or higher version is recommended for optimal performance. If your device has Android 9 Pie or older operating system, you must first download Android Auto app from Google Play Store, otherwise the app is built-in.
If you want to use “Hey Google” service with Google Assistant in your Sorento, make sure the feature is enabled on your device. On your Android phone, open the Google app. At the bottom right, tap More. Then go to Settings > Voice > Voice Match and turn on Hey Google.
If you have 2021 or later model year Kia Sorento, you can use wireless Android Auto. Currently, vehicles equipped with standard 8 inch infotainment system screen support wireless Android Auto functionality, vehicles with larger 10.25-inch screen support wired connection only.
You must have a compatible Android phone with an active data plan, 5 GHz Wi-Fi support, and the latest version of the Android Auto app in order to use wireless Android Auto feature on your Sorento. Wireless projection is compatible with these Android versions:
Android Auto must be enabled in your Sorento’s infotainment system settings before you can use it. To enable Android Auto, select SETUP, then Phone Projection (if you don’t see “Phone Projection”, select Device Connections). Then open Android Auto tab and make sure that “Enable Android Auto” option is activated.
If you’re unsure which USB port supports Android Auto on your particular Sorento variant, then consult your vehicle’s owners manual – or you can try plugging in the cable, one by one, in all the USB ports in dashboard and center console.
To go back to the default multimedia display of the infotainment system, press the Exit button with Kia logo in Android Auto.
If Android Auto does not start on your Sorento when you plug in the USB cable and there is no Android Auto icon in the list of apps in the infotainment system, it can be due to a number of reasons:
If you still can’t connect Android Auto in your Sorento, then you should get your vehicle checked by an authorized Kia dealer.
Google Assistant is an artificial intelligence–powered voice recognition feature by Google that helps you to concentrate on the road while driving your Sorento as you can control the functions of your Android device with voice commands.
The virtual assistant allows you to place phone calls, listen to and send text messages, play music, get directions and use other functions of your Android phone hands-free. You can even ask Google Assistant for current weather conditions, stock prices or upcoming events on your calendar.
To access Google Assistant, press and hold the talk button on the steering wheel of your Sorento until you hear an audible alert.
You can also access Google Assistant by pressing the mic button in the Android Auto app.
If “Hey Google” function is enabled in your Android device under Voice Match settings, you can also just simply say: “Hey Google”. After hearing the audible alert, you can begin asking for assistance.
For best results when using Google Assistant, speak clearly and reduce background noise by closing the windows. Also, direct the air vents on dashboard so that they are not pointing towards the vehicle’s microphone.
2016 and later model year Kia Sorento vehicles are compatible with Android Auto.
Waze is based on a combination of the Android Location Service and real-time information from the 100 million user database. It is one of the best apps in the world when it comes to including construction work and traffic in the route suggestions. Waze can also provide updated information on accidents and unexpected delays. The app is fully compatible with Android Auto. Just download Waze app from Google Play Store on your phone and press its icon in Android Auto app in your Sorento’s infotainment screen.
There’s no list of the best Android car apps without including the top dog in sat-nav apps, Google Maps. Maps is an important part of the Android ecosystem and will likely be the app that you use the most when you’re driving your Sorento. For many people, choosing between Waze and Google Maps is a matter of personal preference. We think: Both are great. You do not need to download Google Maps app as its a built-in feature in Android devices.
You can use Spotify to stream music on your Sorento. Just install the Spotify app from Google Play Store and its icon will appear in the infotainment display when Android Auto is active.
You can use voice commands to play music hands-free on Spotify with Google Assistant. Just add “on Spotify” at the end so that Google Assistant knows which service you’re referring to (e.g. “Hey Google, play my ‘Your Mix of the Week’ playlist on Spotify”).
Google Assistant can play songs, artists, albums, playlists, podcasts, and more. You can also “like” music, ask what’s playing, and control playback (e.g. volume, skip song, play / pause).
If you think you can use all your Android apps in your Kia Sorento with Android Auto, then you’re wrong. The selection of compatible applications is limited, and you have to live with restrictions, especially with messenger apps. SMS messages and WhatsApp can be controlled almost exclusively via Google Assistant. That means you cannot see your message history, but only have new messages read out to you or even dictate messages yourself.
The following apps can be used with Android Auto on your Sorento, among others: Phone, Whatsapp, Messages, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Telegram, Calendar, News, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Waze and TomTom GO.
Audio and multimedia infotainment systems featuring high-resolution touchscreen displays with Android Auto are essential to maximizing the ownership and enjoyment of modern automobiles.
The following Kia cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles have Android Auto integration, either wireless or wired with a USB cable.
The latest Kia vehicles have Android Auto functionality.
Most Kia vehicles began getting Android Auto integration between 2017 and 2018, though the Optima sedan was one of the earliest within the Korean marque’s lineup to have Android smartphone connectivity available.
Wireless smartphone charging and voice recognition are integral to the newer infotainment systems.
Check the corresponding table to see when each Kia model below has Android Auto.
Meanwhile, Apple device users may find the post on Kias with Apple CarPlay useful.
The Kia Rio is one of the few extra-small cars still in production.
Living up to Kia’s reputation for delivering excellent value, the Rio has had standard wireless Android Auto since 2020.
The Kia Forte adds to a list of compact cars with strong picks like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.
The feature-packed offering in the Kia Forte includes standard Android Auto since 2019, with the smartphone connectivity going wireless from 2022 onwards.
2017 and 2018 Kia Forte models only had Android Auto in the higher trims, leaving out the base LX.
Kia Optima models from 2018 to 2020 had standard Android Auto integration.
Meanwhile, the 2016 and 2017 Kia Forte had Android Auto in the higher trims, leaving the base LX without smartphone connectivity.
This sports sedan offers excellent value on top off entertaining levels of performance.
This boxy little crossover has a roomy interior and many standard features for the money.
The Kia Soul has had wired Android Auto as a standard provision since 2020.
From 2020 onwards, Kia Sportage has had Android Auto as standard, with the 2023 model beginning to have wireless connectivity.
Kia Niro crossover gained Android Auto in 2021, and the provision has remained since, including for the Niro plug-in-hybrid variant.
Kia Sorento has been available solely as a small three-row SUV since 2019.
Kia Sorento has had standard Android Auto from 2019 onwards, including the newer Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, although the connection wasn’t wireless until 2023.
2017 and 2018 Kia Sorento compact SUVs also had Android Auto, but only in the pricier trims, with the less expensive ones like the L and LX not enjoying any smartphone connectivity.
Ever since the Kia Telluride midsize three-row SUV appeared in 2020, it has had standard Android Auto.
However, no Kia Telluride SUVs have wireless Android Auto yet.
The Carnival minivan replaced the Sedona in 2022.
Kia Sedona, a discontinued model after 2021, had standard Android Auto from 2019 to 2021, while the 2017 and 2018 models had the integration in the upper trims.
From its 2019 appearance onwards, the Kia Niro EV has had standard Android Auto alongside a wireless charging pad.
This electric SUV is one of the best-looking EVs and has impressively balanced handling, making it enjoyable to drive.