Kia Sorento: Operating conditions. Turning on Smart Cruise Control

Operating conditions

Basic function

Smart Cruise Control operates under the following conditions:

• The gear is in D (Drive).

• Your speed is within the operating range:

  • 5–110 mph (10–180 km/h) when there is no vehicle ahead

  • 0–110 mph (0–180 km/h) when there is a vehicle ahead

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is ON.

Smart Cruise Control does not operate in the following conditions.

• The driver’s door is open.

• Engine RPM is high.

• Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) is engaged.

• ESC or ABS is controlling the vehicle.

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist brake control is operating.

• Remote Smart Parking Assist brake control is operating (if equipped).

TIP

When you are stopped behind another vehicle, you can turn on Smart Cruise Control while the brake pedal is engaged.

Overtaking Acceleration Assist function

Overtaking Acceleration Assist operates when you turn the turn signal indicator ON to the left (left-hand drive) or the right (right-hand drive) while Smart Cruise Control is operating under the following conditions:

• Your speed is above 40 mph (60 km/h).

• A vehicle is detected ahead of you.

Overtaking Acceleration Assist does not operate under the following conditions:

• The hazard lights are ON.

• You have reduced your speed to maintain following distance from a vehicle ahead.

WARNING

• When you turn the turn signal indicator ON to the left (left-hand drive) or the right (right-hand drive) while there is a vehicle ahead, your vehicle may accelerate temporarily. Always pay attention to the road conditions.

• Regardless of your country’s driving direction, Overtaking Acceleration Assist operates when the conditions are satisfied. When using the function in countries with a different driving direction, always check the road conditions.

Turning on Smart Cruise Control

Kia Sorento Smart Cruise Control activation layout

To activate the Smart Cruise Control system in your Kia Sorento, simply press the Driving Assist button located on the steering wheel. Once engaged, the system automatically captures your current speed as displayed on the instrument cluster and maintains it as your cruising velocity.

• In scenarios where the road ahead is clear, the Kia Sorento will effortlessly maintain your preset speed, allowing for a more relaxed and consistent driving experience on highways.

• When the system detects a vehicle traveling slower in front of you, the Kia Sorento intelligently adjusts your speed to keep a safe, predetermined following distance. Should the vehicle ahead accelerate or move out of your lane, your vehicle will seamlessly resume your previously set cruising speed.

TIP

If you initiate the system while driving at low speeds between 0–20 mph (0–30 km/h), the Kia Sorento will default the Smart Cruise Control speed to a baseline of 20 mph (30 km/h) for safety and convenience.

Setting vehicle distance

Kia Sorento distance adjustment interface

Tailoring the gap between your Kia Sorento and the vehicle in front is straightforward—press the dedicated distance button on your steering wheel. Each press cycles through the available distance intervals, allowing you to customize how closely you follow the traffic flow.

Visual representation of distance adjustment settings

For context, if your Kia Sorento is traveling at a steady 56 mph (90 km/h), the system maintains the following approximate distances based on your selection:

• Distance 4: approximately 172 ft (52.5 m)

• Distance 3: approximately 130 ft (40 m)

• Distance 2: approximately 106 ft (32.5 m)

• Distance 1: approximately 82 ft (25 m)

TIP

The system intelligently remembers your preference; the Kia Sorento will revert to the last distance setting you used before the vehicle was restarted or the cruise control was temporarily paused.

Increasing set speed

Controls for increasing cruise speed

• To make fine adjustments, push the speed control switch up and release it immediately. In your Kia Sorento, this increments the set cruising speed by 1 mph (1 km/h) per tap.

• For more rapid adjustments, push the switch up and hold it. This will increase the speed in larger 5 mph (10 km/h) increments, allowing you to reach your desired pace quickly. You can push the set speed of your Kia Sorento up to a maximum of 110 mph (180 km/h).

TIP

Always evaluate current traffic and road conditions before using these speed adjustment switches. Be aware that your Kia Sorento may accelerate quite sharply when you press and hold the switch to increase speed rapidly.

Decreasing set speed

Controls for decreasing cruise speed

• For precise speed reduction, tap the speed control switch down and release it. Each tap will lower the set speed of your Kia Sorento by 1 mph (1 km/h).

• If you need to slow down more significantly, push and hold the switch down. This will decrease the set cruising speed in 5 mph (10 km/h) increments. The minimum speed to which you can set the system is 20 mph (30 km/h).

Temporarily canceling Smart Cruise Control

Controls for cancelling cruise control

To temporarily pause the Smart Cruise Control functionality in your Kia Sorento, simply press the cancel switch or tap the brake pedal. This will immediately disengage the automatic speed maintenance while keeping your previous settings stored for later use.

Resuming Smart Cruise Control

Interface for resuming cruise settings

If you have temporarily cancelled the system, you can easily resume cruising in your Kia Sorento using the following methods:

• Pushing the speed switch up or down will reset your cruising speed to your current travel speed as displayed on the dashboard.

• Alternatively, pressing the resume button will command your Kia Sorento to automatically return to the last set speed you had programmed before the cancellation.

TIP

Maintain awareness of your surroundings before triggering the resume function, as your Kia Sorento may accelerate or decelerate noticeably to regain the previously set speed.

Turning OFF Smart Cruise Control

Complete shutdown of cruise system

To fully turn off the Smart Cruise Control system in your Kia Sorento, press the Driving Assist button once more.

NOTE

On Kia Sorento models equipped with the Manual Speed Limit Assist feature, you must press and hold the Driving Assist button to deactivate the Smart Cruise Control. Note that this specific action will simultaneously activate the Manual Speed Limit Assist system.

WARNING

For the reliable operation of your Kia Sorento, do not attempt to use multiple switches or buttons simultaneously, as this can confuse the system and lead to improper function.

Smart Cruise Control operation

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Smart Cruise Control display and control

You can effortlessly monitor the real-time operational status of the advanced Smart Cruise Control system directly within the dedicated Driving Assist view on your vehicle's instrument cluster, e...