Kia’s ECO mode makes an appearance in the Sorento and helps improve its fuel efficiency so that you can enjoy eco-friendly driving and a small amount of savings

A lot of Kia models, from the Optima to the Stinger, come with the option to drive in ECO mode. ECO Mode is one of 3-4 driving modes (depending on the model) that you can expect in a Kia. The 2022 Sorento comes with four: ECO, SMART, COMFORT, and SPORT mode. Put simply, ECO mode is exactly as it sounds. It facilitates eco-friendly driving by improving your Kia Sorento’s fuel efficiency.

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What is Kia’s ECO mode?

The 2022 Sorento comes with four driving modes: SMART, SPORT, ECO, and COMFORT. Driving modes essentially control parts of your car’s engine, transmission, and A/C to fit your preferred driving style.

Kia’s ECO mode aims to do one thing—increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. It does things like reducing the RPM of your transmission shifting gears, providing a different throttle response, and even shutting off the engine when at a complete stop.

When the Sorento’s drive mode is set to ECO mode, the engine and transmission control logic are trained to maximize fuel efficiency. Because of this, you will notice certain changes:

The acceleration response will reduce as the accelerator pedal itself will be moderately depressed

The air conditioner’s performance will be limited

The shift pattern of the automatic transmission may change

The engine may get louder

The Smart Cruise Control system’s responsiveness will be much slower

The Sorento may limit ECO mode in certain ways to maintain performance while ECO mode is operating. For example, when the coolant temperature is low, the system will be limited until engine performance goes back to normal.

Similarly, when driving uphill, the system will be limited to gain power because engine torque is restricted. If you deeply press down on the accelerator pedal, ECO mode will be limited as the system will judge that you want to speed up.

Key Takeaway The Kia Sorento’s ECO mode adjusts your vehicle’s settings to maximize fuel efficiency and make for more eco-friendly driving.

Does the Kia Sorento’s ECO mode save fuel?

As a general rule,

driving in eco mode does save fuel

. That being said, specific savings will vary depending on how you use the Sorento and the road conditions you expose it to, and you can always keep track by using the mileage in your display.

Does Kia Sorento’s ECO mode charge the battery?

It depends—if you have the regular Sorento, this won’t apply. However, if you own the Sorento Hybrid or PHEV, it will be equipped with a regenerative braking system. This system generates energy when the vehicle decelerates and brakes which is used to charge the battery.

So the ECO mode by itself won’t charge your EV’s battery, but the regenerative braking system will no matter what mode you use.

What’s the difference between the Sorento’s Comfort and ECO mode?

COMFORT mode is the default driving mode for the Kia Sorento. This driving mode, as the name suggests, prioritizes soft driving and comfortable riding. You’ll be able to experience the ride quality that the Sorento is known for, but you won’t save as much fuel.

Don’t forget to use SPORT mode if you really want to enjoy top speeds, or SMART mode if you want the Sorento to choose the proper driving mode for you.

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How to turn the Kia Sorento’s ECO mode on and off

Using ECO mode is quite simple. You’ll notice a knob with the words “Drive Mode” near your gear shift. You can change the mode by toggling the Drive Mode button. Just press the button until your display tells you that you are in ECO mode.

The mode will change to COMFORT mode when the engine is restarted unless it is left in SMART or ECO mode, in which case it will be maintained when the engine is restarted.

Is Kia Sorento’s ECO mode worth it?

Like many things, the answer depends. At its core, different driving modes are for different driving styles. If your primary objective is to save fuel, ECO mode is worth using. The tradeoff is a limitation on your speed and acceleration.

If this doesn’t bother you and cost savings trump all concerns, then ECO mode can be worth it. If the opposite is true, then you’ll be better served using a different driving mode. SPORT mode helps you take advantage of the Sorento’s capabilities, and SMART mode switches between COMFORT, ECO, and SPORT mode depending on your driving habits.

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How to save on Kia insurance

While you can likely save a little on fuel efficiency using ECO mode, you’ll probably be able to save much more on your car insurance by using

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