They say true enthusiasts prefer manuals, but we say it’s really that feeling of control you miss when you drive an automatic. It’s hard to argue that automatic transmissions aren’t easier, and they’re basically foolproof, which is nice for new drivers. At the same time, you miss that feeling of control when you can’t switch gears in an automatic. That is, unless you have a Kia with Sportmatic Shifting. How does the Kia Sportmatic Shifting feature work? Let’s dive into it.
First thing’s first: which cars even have Sportmatic Shifting? You’ll find that most of your non-hybrid or EV vehicles will have Sportmatic as a feature for their automatic transmission options. Obviously, you would use a clutch for a manual transmission. That said, all of the following vehicle have an available automatic with Sportmatic:
More on Driving Modes: 2017 Kia Sorento Drive Mode Select
Essentially, the Kia Sportmatic feature is the brand’s name for its automated manual driving mode. If you look at the transmission gear shifter, you’ll see that there’s a sort of “gate” next to Drive. Push the shifter in toward you and you’ll enter Sportmatic driving mode. Now, when you’re driving and wish to go up a gear, you push forward to the + sign. When you want to downshift, you pull back toward the – sign.
It’s really easy to operate, and your engine has safety features to ensure you won’t burn anything out by driving in the wrong gear. On certain models, you won’t easily see the Sportmatic gate, but if you move the shifter to the left, you’ll still feel it kick in.
Other Features: Which 2017 Kia models have all-wheel-drive?
So go ahead, try out that Sportmatic mode and tell us what you think with a comment below. If you aren’t already driving a Kia, stop by our dealership to take one for a test drive. Otherwise, be sure to check back here at the Garden Grove Kia Blog for more on specific features.
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Dear,
I have a kia sportage SL 1.6L and when in manual mode 5th gear I tried going until 180 kph but after shifting to 6th gear it suddenly drop to 120 kph. even accelerator to the fullest. Is there a problem with my car or what?
Love the sportomatic. With the engine in sport mode and manual shifted, the car is a small beast
Overall I prefer the manual mode to the drive selection. The manual mode works and feels great, however when shifting, there seems to be a small delay. But, once you get used to it, it can be compensated for, and it acts like any manual-automatic shifter. The manual mode makes the already racy car feel more powerful, and quicker. The tachometer in-dash helps and goes hand in hand with its performance.
I think it is awesome best of both worlds. Great job Kia
Inhave a kia sportage 2006 tiptronic and has had transmission electrical problems for the pass 3 years as no one seems can find out why the tiptronic is not working can you direct me as to how i can sourcing the wiring diagram/colour coded so i can fix the problem
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Does the kia seltos IVT model selling in India also has a sportmatic feature so that one can select the + sign in drive mode and move to higher gear and similarly to one gear lower by selecting the minus sign in drive mode.
I have a new Kia Niro L, 2019 (not plug in). When driving in automatic mode & I switch to Sport mode I always find myself in 5th gear. Is this normal? Today when I did this, I found myself in 5th gear & when I used the - sign to downshift, I automatically went to 1st gear, made a forcing sound. What is wrong? Does this damage the transmission?
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