(I don't have my car (HEV FWD DL) yet...keeping busy while waiting) With judicious driving style, can sport mode have the same economy as normal mode? I realize regen braking may be increased, but could feathering the go pedal limit that effect?
I see your point. But you could be somewhat sporty without being a maniac, and know the full capability is there. I'm not sure if Normal or Eco would curtail that.
I don't really know about the modes in gen 5. In gen 3 they had modes called ECO and PWR (and also the middle mode when you haven't selected either of those) and the only difference they made to driving was a change in how your go-pedal pressing got converted into the "desired motive force" number that controls the car. vvv Gen 3 illustration vvv ^^^ Gen 3 illustration ^^^ The concave-up ECO mode makes it easier for you to feather the pedal, because the initial slope is flatter, so your minor foot motions in that early segment of travel don't have big effects in the output. The concave-down PWR mode is trickier to feather, because its steep initial slope exaggerates your small foot motions in the early segment of travel. Of course, all three graphs have to catch up and meet at full power for full pedal travel. Which means the PWR curve flattens out up there, and reduces the effect of small foot motions in the high part of the range. And the ECO curve becomes steep up there, and exaggerates your foot motions in the high part of the range. But the high part of the range is not where you spend most of your time, or think most about feathering. In gen 3, ECO mode also made changes to the HVAC behavior. As I said, I've got no idea how these details carry over to gen 5.
The modes control three things: pedal response, steering feel, climate control. 1. Pedal response: All it does is give you more power quicker in the pedal travel. Basically, power mode with a light foot is the same as eco mode with a heavy foot. 2. Steering feel: Normal mode makes it easier to turn the steering wheel at low speeds. Sport mode requires more effort to turn the wheel. 3. Climate control: Eco mode limits the fan speed and air conditioning compressor. Normal mode removes any restrictions. Overall, Sport mode: 1. Pedal set to sport 2. Steering set to sport 3. Climate set to normal Normal mode: 1. Pedal set to normal 2. Steering set to normal 3. Climate set to normal Eco mode: 1. Pedal set to eco 2. Steering set to normal 3. Climate set to eco Custom: 1. Pedal set to sport, normal, or eco 2. Steering set to sport or normal 3. Climate set to normal or eco After restarting the car, your setting may change. If Power at shutoff, Normal on startup If Normal at shutoff, Normal on startup If Eco at shutoff, Eco on startup If Custom at shutoff, Normal on startup This is because of government regulations. The car has to start in the conditions it was tested at or better. The car was tested in Normal, so it has to start in Normal or Eco.
Also, apparently, Sport and Custom modes aren't persistent. I'll probably stick with Normal. I've tried Eco on my MINI, and found the large go pedal input required off-putting. I never really messed with Sport.
I have found a major performance boost when I engage the AUTO EV/HV button, on my Prime. The sound and acceleration is impressive when I floor it with range remaining in the EV battery. Other than that the differences between the modes are very subtle. I leave the car in “Normal” in summer. I might use “Eco” more in the winter to try and stretch the EV range.
That, and no discernible improvement in mpg, put me off ECO with my gen 3. I’ve more-or-less forgotten the modes even exist. There’s a few other features in the same category. That’s maybe new to gen 5? Any info in owner’s manual?
