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Sport Mode really works!

46K views 44 replies 24 participants last post by  TEEBAY 
#1 ·
Hi folks

I have a 2.0T and just got it past the 1000km break in period so I thought I'd see what sport mode does. It does make a big difference. The car is pretty docile off the line in normal mode. I have a benchmark that I use for cars. I turn from an offramp onto the highway and floor it then see how fast I am going at a fixed spot. With it in Sport Mode and with my foot about half way down it got up to 110km , shifting at about 4-4500 rpms. That was about all I could get from my 2.5l cx5 winding it to redline. The power delivery is almost electric motor like, smooth and quiet. I like it… a lot! I'm sure it's not as fast as the 290hp V6 but it's more than adequate for me. As soon as you put it into sport mode you can feel the transmission being more responsive and the shift points are higher. It's nice to have that option. As for ECO mode I wonder if it would actually make any difference? I tend to drive for fuel economy most of the time anyway. Anyone have any experience comparing MPG in ECO and normal mode?
 
#3 ·
I guess it makes sense that the normal mode is already biased towards fuel economy and there probably isn't much more to be gained in ECO. I also figure a driver would compensate for the eco mode by pushing harder on the gas pedal and that would reduce any benefits.
 
#6 ·
The biggest thing I've noticed about ECO mode is that when using Smart Cruise Control out on the highway it really lugs down before allowing a downshift to pass, even if pressing on the accelerator manually. I usually run in Norm mode with occasional forays into Sport mode if driving in our mountains.
 
#7 ·
I've noticed that in ECO mode my SX V6 seems to upshift at lower RPMs, and the throttle response seems to be a bit slower. I do like the increased steering effort in Sport, I wish you could have it all the time..
 
#8 ·
I tried both. In Eco, my car feels very loose. The acceleration is very smooth and the brake is very slow, I had to stop much further in advance.

In sport mode, acceleration is incremental, not super jerky like the normal mode. But the brake and handling are extremely responsive to the point where I felt like I was driving my crappy 2015 Altima again. Not sure if this is by design (hope so) but the Sport mode went away after I turned on the car then I had to turn it on again. The eco mode stayed after I turned off the car.though.
 
#9 ·
I like ECO mode because the steering feels softer, over boosted... Shifts lower, more quiet, everything seems more relaxed but maybe that's all in my head. I use it without fail on highway cruising and always get high 20's for mpg.

I do prefer NORMAL mode in stop and go traffic since it doesn't feel so artificially held back and feels much faster in response.

Not a huge fan of SPORT mode since I can't really see a need for it because the V6 moves easily. I do haul a small single axle trailer occasionally and I like SPORT mode for that... it holds gears and revs higher so I can have more power on tap in the higher revs band. I didn't realize it until I towed, but SPORT mode does essentially the same exact power / transmission shift program as TOW/HAUL mode did in my Silverado LOL
 
#11 ·
I recently took a multi-hour (each way) highway drive somewhere and decided to compare normal versus eco mode on the trip. On the way there I used normal mode, on the way back I used eco mode. I reset the average MPG counter before each leg of the trip.

In normal mode I averaged 28.1 MPG. In eco mode I averaged 29.0 MPG. Unfortunately, it wasn't a strict apples to apples comparison because I had a bit of stop and go traffic on the normal mode leg of the trip whereas I had none in eco mode. I also don't know what the relative elevations of my starting and ending point where so that could be a factor as well. I drove using SCC almost exclusively so my driving style from leg to leg shouldn't be a big factor.

I suspect eco mode delivers somewhere between .5 and 1 extra MPG everything else being equal. Considering I really see no difference in driving behavior for highway driving between the two modes I don't see a reason to not use eco mode at least for long trips.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I'm sure it's not as fast as the 290hp V6 but it's more than adequate for me.
2.0T is faster. Mainly due to the low end torque that shoots the car like a rocket.

As for ECO mode I wonder if it would actually make any difference? I tend to drive for fuel economy most of the time anyway. Anyone have any experience comparing MPG in ECO and normal mode?
I personally like the ECO.
I really enjoy the low end torque and whistle of the turbo. As a result low RPM shifts and car goes quickly and quietly with relatively low fuel use.
However, when I push, ECO becomes aggressive. Plus, the paddles...



I recently took a multi-hour (each way) highway drive somewhere and decided to compare normal versus eco mode on the trip. On the way there I used normal mode, on the way back I used eco mode. I reset the average MPG counter before each leg of the trip.

In normal mode I averaged 28.1 MPG. In eco mode I averaged 29.0 MPG. Unfortunately, it wasn't a strict apples to apples comparison because I had a bit of stop and go traffic on the normal mode leg of the trip whereas I had none in eco mode. I also don't know what the relative elevations of my starting and ending point where so that could be a factor as well. I drove using SCC almost exclusively so my driving style from leg to leg shouldn't be a big factor.

I suspect eco mode delivers somewhere between .5 and 1 extra MPG everything else being equal. Considering I really see no difference in driving behavior for highway driving between the two modes I don't see a reason to not use eco mode at least for long trips.
ECO matters mainly in city/stop and go traffic. On highway - no difference. If so, minimal.

ECO drops the shift points into lower engine speed and forces the torque converter to remain locked a tad longer that would be in any other mode.
That saves fuel.
 
#19 · (Edited)
2.0T is faster. Mainly due to the low end torque that shoots the car like a rocket.

.
No no no..... not even close! What do you base this on? The 2.0t MIGHT be quicker up to say 20 or possibly 30, but after that the V6 will pull HARD on the 2.0t.

http://www.kia-forums.com/2016-sorento/243978-engine-did-you-get-why-10.html#post1467849

http://www.kia-forums.com/2016-sorento/243978-engine-did-you-get-why-2.html#post1442818

http://www.kia-forums.com/2016-sorento/243978-engine-did-you-get-why-6.html#post1464945

It is well documented and many sources that if anything the 2.0 T underperforms compared to other engines with similar power ratings. That isn't to say that it is not a punchy engine down low and even in the mid-range, but up top it is weak in the knees. I put several sources in the thread linked above.
 
#17 ·
Yes, exactly. Sport mode shifts at a higher point/holds onto a gear longer before upshifting. In normal mode, I can cruise in 6th gear at 45 mph. In sport, it is still in 5th until somewhere above 55 mph or so.

By being at a higher rpm, it is making more power available at any given speed. Couple that with a stronger throttle response and you have a different driving experience.

Accelerating from 2000 to 3000 rpm with a little push of the throttle in 5th gear feels a lot different than pushing the pedal a lot to go from 1200 to 2000 rpm in 6th.
 
#16 ·
I usually drive in Normal mode where pickup is adequate for city driving and ramping up to speed on highway. for this the information cluster fuel economy calculator shows an average of 10.5L/100km (=22.4mpg). when driven in ECO mode the fuel economy calculator averages 10.0L/100km (23.5mpg).

As a previous poster noted there is a loss in acceleration in ECO which I tend to compensate for by pressing the accelerator more. Likely the improvement in fuel economy in ECO comes from highway driving (almost always steady speed, not stop and go) and also because on weekends i make several shut off / starts over the course of 3 hours while running errads (in Normal mode those shut-off / start appears to increase consumption noticeably on the calculator)
 
#18 ·
Sport mode and having the 2.0 turbo motor torque available down around 1300 RPM makes for some pretty decent acceleration. I definitely notice a difference when I change from eco-to sport mode as it holds the RPM to higher shift points.
 
#27 · (Edited)
From another post - more examples of the 2.0t (it different forms) having issues where they were down on power... some of the links are dead... I fixed a few of them:

Here is an example of the Sonata/Optima posting a slow time.... which for some reason it frequently did. It is like it made as little as 220 hp some days... others more like 250.... and now and then the full 274 horses were let out of the stable.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/optima/2013/2013-kia-optima-sxl-verdict/

Here is another sickly 2.0t getting waxed by the competiton.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyun...vs-2012-volkswagen-passat-vr6-sel-comparison/
There are plenty of articles with the Optima being slow too.... always found it strange why more often than not they were way down on power.

The new 240ish hp 2.0 turbo was running so sickly it got its own magazine article!

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyun...2015-hyundai-sonata-on-sale-today-is-the-eco/

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2015/2015-hyundai-sonata-sport-20t-first-test/


Big lists of times:

Hyundai Sonata 0-60 Times, Quarter Mile Acceleration Stats
Kia Optima 0-60 Times, Quarter Mile Acceleration Stats

I don't have time to fix all of the links right now.... but trust me it is a regular issue with the 2.0T
 
#29 ·
Well, all I have to add is that consistency is really of important.... and I would be really annoyed if my car varied wildly from one day to the next with power output.... one more reason the 2.0t isn't for me.

As for what you think and reality.... they appear to be two totally different things!
 
#30 ·
It's actually very consistent, but different from a V6. If the 2.0 isn't for you I'm fine with that. You are happy with your car, that is what matterrs. Other people have chosen differently and are also happy with their choice. The choice is not just about a contest to see who can go fastest 0-60. I spend very little time doing stoplight 0-60 racing. It really isn't relevant to my needs. The 2.0 works well for me, gets good fuel economy, has plenty of power for my needs and costs less to own and run than the V6. That's why I purchased it Vs the v6.
 
#31 · (Edited)
SXDriver - PLP and magazine times would suggest otherwise to your consistency statement, but I am glad you like yours!

Also, you stated
My experieence is with a 16 SX 2.0T. First, these engines need to be good and warm to perform up to their potential. Maybe 10 minutes longer than it takes for the temp gauge to get up to normal before you get the full performance.
While I don't believe what you stated to be accurate (I could be wrong), having to wait 15 minutes for my engine to perform up to its potential doesn't sound very desirable.
 
#35 ·
SXDriver - PLP and magazine times would suggest otherwise to your consistency statement, but I am glad you like yours!
Numbers suggest the magazines are wrong... and great example is poor driving skills when testing 2014 Forte 1.6T.
but whatever.
V6 is faster. lol

in my Sportage SX turbo you can't brake load it at the start. Car won't do it. It surely cost a half second or maybe more in 0-whatever.
You cannot push the gas too far.
Hold the brake and push the gas a bit, you will see how it is going. It will torque only up to 2000 rpm, or even lower. Mine gets to about 1500-1900 rpm which is more then enough. Boost gets to about 0, maybe 5 psi, but that is enough for the wheels to burn, so I do it rarely and at very low degree.
Eventually take off in 2nd gear.
Also, TC should be disabled.
 
#33 ·
My friend got a Mercedes ML diesel. When you test drove it, it was more city and the stretch of highway was fairly smooth grade. When he showed it to me he was all "Feel this! It'll put you back in the seat and still get 20+ mpg". And yes he hit the pedal and it would put you back with all the torque.

8 months later and him driving a lot of hilly highway miles he shows up with ANOTHER ML Mercedes but this time he had the gas V6. I asked why... "In town the black one would haul ass but on the highway at speed it felt weaker than the V6 they gave me to drive while mine was getting serviced, so I brought it home". I'm not throwing numbers and tests at anyone because it's all subjective. He purchased based on the torque in an easy test drive loop but it didn't meet his needs in his everyday life.

How high is your elevation?
How many hills or mountains do you have to climb or is is flat lands?
Do you punish your equipment with jack rabbit starts or do you slowly wind it up to a higher speed and pass the jack rabbits like I do?
Do you sit in traffic jams or are you cruising open roads more often?
Is the outside temperature ALWAYS 72 degrees where you live or does it get hot and miserable with humidity like my state?

No matter what the websites and magazines say... I got the V6 because it just seems to make power and build speed at a nice leisurely pace. It always feels and sounds relaxed. Yes the 2.0t has more torque and is quicker off the line but the revs, the engine sound, the shifts = it all felt and sounded hyper to me. My opinion and experience is, it's a better setup for me and where I live. My opinion is, the V6 is a more reliable and simple setup with more of a proven track record. I guess it's all just an opinion when you think about it.

BACK TO TOPIC! YES... Sport mode works! LOL
 
#42 ·
Allow me to resurrect this old thread rather than starting a new one...

Does anyone have any solid information on the specific impact of Sport mode on steering???
Per the manual:

SPORT mode focuses on
dynamic driving by auto-
matically adjusting the
steering wheel, engine
and transaxle system.
 
#44 ·
as far as drivetrain performance is concerned Sport mode is just giving you everything that KIA decided the system should give you. The other modes are just various degrees of impairment of that performance, that's all.

I too wish you could break out the steering settings from the engine settings (believe it or not my 2014 Rondo of all things let you do that) so that I could use ECO on the highway with its more subdued transmission response (ie no frenetic downshifting when i prod the throttle a bit more than just a little) but with the stiffer steering response. But you can't unfortunately.
KIA kinda got that all wrong IMHO.
 
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