A method for controlling an off-road vehicle includes selecting an operating mode from a plurality of candidate operating modes. The plurality of candidate operating modes includes a first operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a first desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle; a second operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a first desired gear ratio of the transmission and substantially maintaining a first desired engine speed of the engine; a third operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a second desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle and substantially maintaining a second desired engine speed of the engine; and a fourth operating mode that includes substantially maintaining a third desired gear ratio of the transmission and substantially maintaining a third desired vehicle speed of the off-road vehicle.