Joining the ranks of carmakers offering an ever-increasing range of telematics services, Kia’s new e-Services

launched at CES leverages a user’s smart phone connection à la Ford SYNC to provide a suite of navigation, diagnostics, safety, and convenience features.

New services available through e-Services include automatic crash notification that senses air bag deployment and will place a call to get emergency help on the way, roadside assistance, vehicle diagnostics, and scheduling service appointments. Users can also send directions to their car from Google Maps, get alerts on their smart phone if preset speed limits or geographic boundaries are violated, and get directions back to their parked car if they get lost.

The e-Services app is a free download. Availability dates, phone compatibility, and other details have not yet been released.