Drive Mode - US vs Canadian/Others

[Husker Soze]

So, I was watching a KT review (from Canada) and noticed that the AWD options on the Canadian version are different than the US.

Canada -- 4 Drive modes (Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart) & 3 Terrain modes (Snow, Mud, Sand)




Whereas the US version has this (with the Diff Lock option in middle)




Here's my questions:

1. Is this all just software programming on the different versions of the same drivetrain?
2. Can you "lock" the Canadian version?

 

[blitt]

Essentially ( from what I have read here and in magazines).....it is indeed software programing. In fact.....the differential never fully "locks" mechanically even when the lock button on the U.S. version is pressed. The pressing of that button simply programs the the diff to distribute power equally to the front and the rear AS LONG as the speed is below 25mph. The Canadian version breaks that program position down into 3 segments.....each with a different ratio of front to rear power with some probable speed and tranny points probably programed in as well. The U.S. version ( lock) and the Canadian version (mud) are apparently identical program points. Why the difference.....I don't have a clue.

 

[Husker Soze]

Interesting .... I guess I'm thinking this is more of a marketing strategy by KIA

 

[alexdrums]

This is because of the FDIC. This is Kia’s “Feature Designator In Chief”. He/she decides what country gets which feature, which is based on 1000’s of hours of painstaking and detailed research. Because of the FDIC’s diligence, everyone now knows that only people in the Mideast want remote start, and there is a lot more mud and sand in Canada then there is in the U.S.!

Thank you, FDIC!