Kia is currently testing a new interior configuration for its upcoming vehicle lineup. Recent sightings of a disguised K5 model in California confirm the integration of a larger center display and a redesigned steering wheel, marking a shift toward the unified design language used by Hyundai and Genesis.
The core of this update is the Pleos Connect infotainment system, which is built on the Android Automotive OS. This software allows for customizable applications and multi-view windows, mirroring the interface found in the IONIQ 3. Hyundai Motor Group plans to install this system in approximately 20 million vehicles across its brands by 2030.
In addition to the new interface, the system incorporates Gleo AI, an in-car artificial intelligence assistant. While current Kia models utilize the Navigation Cockpit setup with dual 12.3-inch screens, the new design features a slightly lower instrument display positioned behind the steering wheel.
The transition to this software-defined architecture is part of a broader strategy for the group. Following the debut of the system in the Grandeur and its subsequent rollout to the IONIQ 3, Kia is preparing to launch its first software-defined vehicle in 2027.
