ECO mode - does it make any difference?

Yes. A slight difference. Maybe.
Depends mostly on how you drive it.

While the onboard gas mileage displays aren't terribly accurate,
they can be used to observe whether your efficiency goes UP or DOWN
when you do a certain thing.

HOWEVER......if you ever plug the car in to charge, all of that goes out the
window......because that "corrupts" a pure MPG number for the engine.

I recently switched both of my hybrids over to "ECO" and noticed
maybe a 1-2 MPG increase.
I might NOT leave them there though because when you want a
quick little burst of power, it is harder to get.

 

The different modes effectively remaps the driving dynamics of the car - software adjustments. ECO mode 'up-shifts' the car faster and makes the throttle response mushy - you need to time your take-off, especially making a left turn into traffic. Power mode, delays 'up-shifts' and allows the engine to 'whine out' more and increases throttle response. Don't expect Ferrari like performance, it's still only a 2.0 liter, 4-banger. I try to keep 5%-10% EV reserve, so if I need to merge or make a left turn into traffic - I do it in EV mode.

ECO mode will get you a few extra mpg, but the way you drive has a larger impact on your mpg.

Hope this helps....

 

Switching to Eco could help someone who drives aggressively, but for those already driving efficiently, they could do so in Power. I say it comes down to what is the most comfortable for the driver. Seen one complaint of Eco leading to a foot cramp because of the angle of required depression for the person.

Pressing Eco might also put the climate control into its eco mode. So there is that impact to consider.

 

FWIW not specifically addressing the OP's year 2023 model question....

I find the ECO button "deadens" makes less sensitive the throttle pedal.
Yes, gasoline use could be reduced.

 

This is a revision with the 2023? Because with previous years, pretty much all it did was increase gas pedal travel. Definietely didn't change "up-shifts".

 

As I recall "virtually the same" referred to the throttle response was the same as accelerating with a lighter foot in normal driving mode. The discussion was about the throttle response curve being different with the same effect achievable by adjusting the driver input.

Eco drive mode

Your question including "significantly better" and "noticeable drop" seems prejudicial to me. Toyota is offering you some tweaks in "power train, steering wheel and air conditioning systems functions". Only you can decide what is significant and noticeable.

 

One of the interesting additions to the 2023s is that a 'Custom' mode lets you select different modes for climate, throttle, and steering response to be applied simultaneously. Note that only Eco and Normal modes are remembered when you power down the car; you must manually select Power or Custom every time you restart if one of those is your desired mode.

 

I'm going off of memory, but I think these are the possible options for each setting and the different combinations for each standard mode. Please correct me if I got anything wrong.

Options
Throttle
- sport (more responsive)
- normal
- eco (less responsive)

Steering
- sport (tighter)
- normal (looser, especially at low speeds)

Climate
- normal
- eco (reduced fan speeds and lower A/C compressor power)

Modes
Sport
- sport throttle
- sport steering
- normal climate

Normal
- normal throttle
- normal steering
- normal climate

Eco
- eco throttle
- normal steering
- eco climate

 

I've been driving mine in ECO mode for almost a year. I've gotten no change in fuel mileage at all.

 

I used to prefer Eco mode in my GEN 3/4 reg Prius (Not Prime) because I found it was easier to modulate the pedal and easier to pulse and glide.

With the new prime I am still experimenting, but I find normal mode to be the most enjoyable so far driving on EV only. Sport mode makes the steering wheel way too stiff I feel, and I have owned a bunch of sports cars in the past it just feels weird. Eco works just fine and probably not a huge difference between normal but normal does feel like it has more pep for sure in EV.

Come to think of it. I haven’t driven the car at all all week on HV, everywhere I went has been EV only so I can’t really speak to HV modes. Well I did drive it home from the dealer 250 miles, but that was straight freeway most the way and majority using adaptive cruise control which works great by the way. Granted, I did push the pedal to pass a few cars just to see how it felt and it was absolutely effortless on HV.

 

It makes the ac work at partial power and recirculate til outside temp equals inside. Not doing that partial power ac thingie in Florida man

 

Eco mode is not like some magic button you can engage and expect to magically gain MPG. If you push the pedal more to get the same throttle response you're used to, your MPG won't change much at all. Eco mode gives you the opportunity to drive more economically. If you're not getting the expected increase in MPG, it's not the car.

 

On the flipside, you can improve your fuel efficiency through driving style with normal and sport mode.

 

With my Avalon Hybrid, ECO mode does seem to help MPG (I've not truly measured it) so I leave it there when gas prices are higher (like now). I also try to be light with the throttle. When gas prices drop somewhat, I sometimes indulge myself with Sport mode (same as Power mode in my old Prius) which noticeably improves acceleration, useful for upgrades and such. ECO mode works well for most driving though and I believe it likely gives one a 2-3 MPG overall boost in gas mileage.

 

How do I access the fuel gauge on the ‘23?

 

When you say access, are you saying you can't see the fuel gauge on the display?

 

Page 87 of Owner's Manual:

 

I haven't replaced one on the 23 yet. On the others lift up the back seat it's behind. The driver side has a big O ring. He's silicone lubricant when you resealed the pump assembly back in the float assembly is integrated and the foot has a filter that never needs to be changed