Automobiles are becoming more technologically advanced every year. If it isn’t operating systems on software-defined vehicles than its consumer connected stores that allow consumers to customize their vehicle with a catalog of apps, like the Kia Connect Store. Well, there’s nothing like a little competition, and Hyundai/Kia aren’t the only automaker getting in on this new technology. Stellantis just debuted its Uconnect 5’s Android operating system that gives consumers access to a broad catalog of applications to customize their user experience behind the wheel.

Giving Jeep Owners More Freedom

Isn’t it nice to open the sunroof and get a little fresh air when on the road? It’s even nicer to go off-road and take on a trail into the wilderness. It’s the bread-and-butter of a Jeeper, or Jeep owner, and the new connected services from Stellantis and Uconnect will make this even better. A new new Jeep Connect Off Road Pages+ Package made first avialable in the 2024 Wagoneer and Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee will make planning the next off-road adventure even year with a two-year trial of access to Jeep Adventure Guides and GPS Trail Logs.

Back in the day, Jeep’s Badge of Honor program was a way to get Jeepers out onto new trails to discover and experience to test the might of their SUV. With Jeep Adventure Guides, Jeep owners can find more than 200 off-road trail guides, including all Jeep Badge of Honor Trails to drive off-road and get a little crazy. With an annual Adventure Guide All-Access Membership, that number goes up to 3000 for a full catalog of trails to experience.

With GPS Trail Logs, consumers also don’t have to worry about losing a Wi-Fi connection. Able to download maps in advance, see difficulty ratings, waypoints, photos, highlights, and more, Jeep owners can mark these right on the Uconnect 5 touchscreen for reference down the road. For added fun, users can also record off-road adventures via Uconnect 5 and then add details through the Jeep smartphone app.

Safety First

V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology has been growing in popularity over the last few years, and Stellantis is making use of V2X tech and HAAS Alert to power their new Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS). This new system can alert drivers to upcoming hazardous road conditions. Popping up in 2018 model-year and newer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles, the new EVAS system makes use of real-time hazard data from emergency vehicles, roadway assets, and other sources to deliver digital alerts to drivers via the Uconnnect 5 system.

Through a partnership with Amazon, Alexa is also going to become a more common feature in Stellantis models with the Alexa Built-In experience. Available to 2022-2024 model-year vehicles equipped with Uconnect 5 NAV, consumers can do more than connect with their home smart speaker. With Alexa Built-In, consumers can talk to their cars like they do to Alexa to stream music, ask for directions, access productivity tools and more. It just requires a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, but consumers can first experience this for free with a 3GB/three-month trial.

A Glance at What’s Next

These features for the Jeep and EVAS are just a preview of what’s to come. The EVAS system will eventually be joined by the Safety & Security Package, featuring automatic SOS, vehicle theft alerts, roadside assistance, and one-touch access to customer care via the vehicle brand mobile app. Thanks to over-the-air (OTA) software updates, packages like this and the Vehicle Performance Package can be downloaded onto 2022 and newer model year vehicles, with updates starting later this year (2023). As the Uconnect 5 connected systems grow, consumers can use Dodge Connect, Alfa Connect, and Jeep Connect connected services to customize the interface of their Uconnect 5 infotainment system to learn about, maintain, and remotely connect to their vehicle.

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Photo Source/Copyright: Stellantis Media