Kia Australia has announced the availability of satellite navigation in three of its vehicles for the first time in the local brand’s history.

The sat-nav units will become standard in the flagship Platinum models in the Optima, Sorento and Sportage line-ups – adding $990 to the price of those models – and will be a $1500 option in the SLi variants of the two SUVs.

The inclusion of sat-nav takes the price of the Sportage Platinum petrol to $37,710 and the diesel to $40,710. The Sorento Platinum becomes $50,180, while the Optima steps up to $37,980.

Sorento models are fitted with a 6.5-inch screen while the Optima and Sportage get a seven-inch display.

Developed over the past 12 months, the satellite navigation units feature an LG touchscreen with mapping from Navteq and live traffic service from SUNA, which includes intelligent directions to help drivers avoid traffic jams, road works and accidents.

Owners will also benefit from free map updates after 12 and 24 months – an offer that Kia says is a first from any manufacturer in Australia.

The LG systems also integrate Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, phone book information for eight users and reversing camera display.

Sorento and Sportage models equipped with sat-nav will be available in showrooms from Saturday (March 17), while Kia Australia expects the upgraded Optima to be available from midyear.