It wasn't until I'd had my car quite a while, and experimented with settings, and revisited the manual, that the attributes of drive mode and hybrid mode became well formed in my mind. Here is my summary of how it works.

These notes pertain to the 2022 Sorento PHEV. Much of this will still be true for later model years.

Drive Mode

The main purpose of drive mode is to determine acceleration responsiveness and power, which influences MPG. You set drive mode with the twisty knob on the console.

There are four drive modes: Eco, Sport, Smart, and Snow.

Eco is the default. In this mode, acceleration response is slower. Surprisingly to me, it can also reduce the A/C performance, AND the responsiveness of smart cruise control. So says the manual.

Sport mode provides the acceleration responsiveness that you'd expect from the name. The engine runs constantly. Sport mode will also recharge the battery. For example, I went from 8% to 28% charge in about 10 minutes of driving, which might be faster than my level 2 charger.

Smart mode does automatic switching between Eco and Sport modes. It watches your driving habits, such as how hard you accelerate, and whether you "repetitively operate the steering wheel." If you do that a lot, it goes into Sport mode, at least for a short period of time. If you drive gently, it goes into Eco mode.

Snow mode is documented as an automatic selection that occurs when the temperature is low and wheel slippage is detected. It reduces acceleration responsiveness. My car's drive mode selector wheel has a Snow mode position at the SSE position. This is undocumented, and I don't know whether the automatic selection of snow mode can still happen.

Hybrid Mode

Hybrid mode determines how quickly the battery drains. You set the hybrid mode with a button on the console.

There are three hybrid modes: Electric, Hybrid, and Automatic.

Electric mode is the default, and it means that the motor will be preferred over the engine. It's the charge depleting mode - you'll use the motor until the battery is drained. However, the engine will still be used under certain conditions, some of which are rather unpredictable. If you accelerate hard enough, the engine will kick in. Additionally, the engine will come on to provide cabin heat, or to warm other components. The engine might even come on from time to time when driving gently in warm weather with a full charge. It has a mind of its own.

Hybrid mode "Hybrid" is charge sustaining mode - it preserves the current level of the battery. The engine is used almost exclusively. Still, the motor will be used from time to time, as regenerative braking can replenish it. It's more accurate to say that the Hybrid hybrid mode maintains the battery in a narrow range surrounding the current level. You might use this mode on the highway, so that you can then change to electric mode for city driving.

The third hybrid mode is Automatic. I suppose it's meant to automatically change between the other two hybrid modes, but based on what I don't know. In my experience this mode behaves pretty much like the Hybrid (charge sustaining) mode, but it will let the battery deplete to about 80%. I tend to use automatic mode on long trips, in the belief (or hope) that it will maximize MPG by using the battery from time to time, while depending on regenerative braking to recharge it from that use. I also use it to preserve battery power that I can use later for city driving.

Summary

In summary, drive mode and hybrid mode are independent settings. Drive mode affects the driving experience, primarily measured by acceleration responsiveness. Hybrid mode affects the degree of battery use. There's a bit of interaction between the modes, especially since selecting Sport drive mode prevents a selection of Hybrid mode.

Every owner has that one thing they stay on top of.

Oil changes, tire rotations, coolant checks, brake service... what's the maintenance item you never put off on your Sorento Hybrid?

Curious what long-term owners prioritize.

We’ve had our car one year now, it replaced a Prius V that was totaled in an accident a motorcyclist caused. I’ve never been so disappointed with a used car before.. it feels poorly made. Last week I noticed windshield wiper fluid coming inside the back window and dripping all over the seats.. the plug seems to have been cut somehow. Today the car will not lock while I’m at my child’s after school lessons. I am not sure how this car is doing so poorly, I took it in for service last month and it was checked out but now it feels like new things pop up every day! Is this common for this year of Sorento? I feel like I got tricked into a crummy car and I am hoping the warranty covers this..

There currently is a 2026 hybrid sorento that I got my eyes on it’s being advertised at $36,777 what would be a good OTD for this? It’s been in the lot since May 2026, I know Kia is getting ready to launch the 2027

Hi everyone, I have a 2023 Kia Forte LXS with about 66,000 miles.
I went to a Kia dealership and asked about changing the CVT fluid. They told me that because this transmission works differently from a regular automatic transmission, changing the fluid at this mileage could potentially cause problems within the next few thousand miles. They basically advised me not to change it right now.
I’m a little confused because I’ve always heard that transmission fluid should be changed as maintenance.
The dealership quoted me $365 for the fluid service.
For anyone who owns a Forte with the IVT:
Have you changed the IVT fluid around 60k–70k miles?
Did you have any problems afterward?
Is $365 a reasonable price for this service?
Would you recommend doing it at the Kia dealership or going to a reputable independent shop?
If you would NOT change it at 66k, why?
I’m mainly looking for advice from people who actually own/work on these cars. I don’t want to do something that could hurt the transmission, but I also don’t want to neglect maintenance.
What would you do if this were your 2023 Forte LXS with 66k miles?

I just test-drove the Sorento PHEV, and found that I was getting motion sick from the way that there would be a little lurch/jerk every time the driver took their foot off the brake gas. I'm assuming this is just the regen braking kicking in, I didn't realize it would go even when the brake pedal isn't being actively pushed.

Does anyone know if a similar thing happens on the hybrid Carnival? I'm wondering if it's different since the engine is different, e.g. it doesn't run in full electric mode. Or do they work in the exact same way, but just with a larger battery capacity on the PHEV?

EDIT: took their foot of the gas, not the brake

2nd owner. 75k miles. Transmission had internal failure. I already know about the engine on this model blowing thru oil.

I am pissed. KIA is not providing ANY kind of goodwill effort and is pulling the loner they were letting me use. Parts are on back order.

Curious if anyone had the same issue.

EV driver coming in peace. I just reserved a 2025 Kia Sorento S for a week-long, 1500-mile road trip. I've never driven one before. What can I expect and how can I make the most of my experience? What do you like and dislike about it? What should I know about it before I head out?

I'm quite new to the Kia brand. I just got my first Kia car. It has the idle stop and go (ISG) feature which is also new to me. I'm not a fan, so I disabled it. Before I figured out how to disable it, while at a stoplight, the car was idle and when I pressed on the gas to start moving, my Sorento seemed to not switch over to go and just remained an idle. I had to put it in park then back in Drive before I could move. Is this normal or a known issue?

If you're trying to figure out the Sorento Hybrid lineup, here's the quick version:

EX gives you a really solid mix of comfort, tech, and efficiency without going overboard.

SX Prestige is the fully loaded option with the premium interior, extra tech, and all the bells and whistles.

If you were buying a Sorento Hybrid today, which trim would you choose?

It's been 3.5 months since I bought the Sorento and this is the first opportunity to use 3rd row seats for human occupancy. The have been folded down since we bought it.

My idea was to put the two car seats back there for our 3 year-old twin granddaughters but it was impossible to get those seats back there. Perhaps if we had tried a little longer it would have been possible but we needed to get on the road.

Their parents went back there instead and we put the car seats on the 2nd row bench seat. Dad is 6'2" and I was afraid he would have been very uncomfortable back there. Mom and dad rode in those 3rd row seats an hour and 15 minutes each way and said it was not uncomfortable at all. Perhaps a white lie, but, they did not complain.

We won't use those 3rd row seats much, but, it is good to know that, if needed, even adults can ride back there if the trip is not too long.

First time mom here.

We have a 2017 LX, not sure if that totally matters.

But, we have been fighting with installing this car seat for a while now trying to get it put in the center seat. I know that's the safest option but it just won't secure properly. There shouldn't be more than an inch of give but its giving us about 3-4in of give.

Should we just do a side seat instead of the center or is there some special trick we aren't finding??

We have the Graco Snugride Lite LX.

TIA!