Difference between Eco, normal and sport modes

MartinSEsr · Apr 27, 2023

Hi, I haven't seen this anywhere, so asking here.

There are eco, normal and sport modes - what are the differences? Is it just the feel of the car? I know sport steering is heavier than eco, but is the rest of it just down to a different throttle response, ie sport is harsher for the same throttle input? Or does sport mode actually have more power and acceleration?

If you drove all the modes in the same way, ie moderate acceleration, same cruising speed, same regen braking, would eco actually be any more economical (assuming the AC isn't set to go to eco mode at the same time) ? I haven't read anything to indicate why eco would be more economical.

Thanks

siteguru · Apr 27, 2023

Sport mode gives you instant throttle response, Normal softens the power delivery a bit, and Eco softens it more so. That's the main noticeable difference.

Eco is more efficient simply because you accelerate less quickly for the same throttle input, as the power delivery is lower so less battery power is used.

bowfer · Apr 27, 2023

Why the hell anyone bothers with ECO mode in any EV baffles me.
Completely nullifies what’s best about EVs.
Like buying a nice stereo and hanging washing over the speakers.
Mentalist behaviour.

Jomarkh · Apr 27, 2023

Hi, there are threads on here with throttle response graphs.
You need to just try different modes until you find one that suits your driving style.

timeades · Apr 27, 2023

bowfer said:
Why the hell anyone bothers with ECO mode in any EV baffles me.
Completely nullifies what’s best about EVs.
Like buying a nice stereo and hanging washing over the speakers.
Mentalist behaviour.

I've got a trip to Madrid planed as soon as ours is delivered and as it's motorway all the way I'll probably use ECO mode for a lot of it to try and eek out as much range and minimise charging stops

bowfer · Apr 27, 2023

timeades said:
I've got a trip to Madrid planed as soon as ours is delivered and as it's motorway all the way I'll probably use ECO mode for a lot of it to try and eek out as much range and minimise charging stops

Not sure ECO makes a blind bit of difference when cruising.

timeades · Apr 27, 2023

bowfer said:
Not sure ECO makes a blind bit of difference when cruising.

Well I can try it on the way there and normal on the way back and see what the figures say

Bigralphie · Apr 27, 2023

This is,nt scientific but I think the MG4 works best in normal I.E just drive
faffing about before each trip resetting regen and driving mode somehow detracts from the enjoyment of the car

MoDolph · Apr 28, 2023

Eco mode does reduce the effectiveness of the heater so might increase range at the expense of comfort. However, if you want to do that you can just turn off, or turn down, the temperature of the heater instead.

If you want more range then it's simple. Coast as much as possible, avoid regen and braking at all costs and keep your speed below 60mph whilst not using the heater. It's more about how you drive rather than the mode you are using.

I prefer sport mode but I'm to lazy to change it so usually stick with normal.

alix · Apr 28, 2023

Unrelated to efficiency, but eco mode helped me get used to the car the first couple of times I drove it. My muscle memory was calibrated to a sluggish petrol car so the twitchy instant pedal response made me anxious. Got used to it eventually!

Ian Key · Apr 28, 2023

timeades said:
I've got a trip to Madrid planed as soon as ours is delivered and as it's motorway all the way I'll probably use ECO mode for a lot of it to try and eek out as much range and minimise charging stops

Remember also to put the regen into low or adaptive on the motorways.

MartinSEsr · Apr 28, 2023

bowfer said:
Why the hell anyone bothers with ECO mode in any EV baffles me.
Completely nullifies what’s best about EVs.
Like buying a nice stereo and hanging washing over the speakers.
Mentalist behaviour.

I suspect many people don't realise that all it does is make the throtte response dull and spongy, and they assume it makes the motors or something else more economical.

Certainly cruising at 70 on the motorway with ACC on, there would be zero difference in battery consumption.

timeades said:
I've got a trip to Madrid planed as soon as ours is delivered and as it's motorway all the way I'll probably use ECO mode for a lot of it to try and eek out as much range and minimise charging stops

But it won't make any difference - cruising at a steady speed, eco and sport would use exactly the same amount of power. It's just the throttle response that changes.

MuzGB1970 · Apr 28, 2023

Eco mode will prevent you from using power above a certain level, it flashes up a warning message, so you need to be careful when pulling quickly out of a junction into a gap in the traffic.

Archev · Apr 28, 2023

bowfer said:
Why the hell anyone bothers with ECO mode in any EV baffles me.
Completely nullifies what’s best about EVs.
Like buying a nice stereo and hanging washing over the speakers.
Mentalist behaviour.

I’ve attained that age

Where eco’s fine

And melodic washing

Is just sublime

So I’ll bumble along

With my five a bit late

Not dismounting the car

With a John Wayne gait.

Dwigt · Apr 28, 2023

bowfer said:
Why the hell anyone bothers with ECO mode in any EV baffles me.
Completely nullifies what’s best about EVs.
Like buying a nice stereo and hanging washing over the speakers.
Mentalist behaviour.

I prefer eco mode otherwise I go shooting across at dangerous speeds.

JuziWomble · Apr 28, 2023

bowfer said:
Why the hell anyone bothers with ECO mode in any EV baffles me.
Completely nullifies what’s best about EVs.
Like buying a nice stereo and hanging washing over the speakers.
Mentalist behaviour.

I do .. Because I like the setup.. - Doesn't mean I don't enjoy the driving experience (safely)

bowfer · Apr 28, 2023

Dwigt said:
I prefer eco mode otherwise I go shooting across at dangerous speeds.

Do you drive wearing diver’s boots?

MoDolph · Apr 28, 2023

The responsiveness of the accelerator pedal at low speed is something I wish was better. In sport mode it's ok but I don't think it's as good as the leaf was, normal mode is not even close. The pedal just feels a bit mushy.

Dwigt · Apr 29, 2023

bowfer said:
Do you drive wearing diver’s boots?

Very big feet

Ian Key · Apr 29, 2023

Dwigt said:
Very big feet

You want to try having big feet and being a retired bus driver. Probably explains why my m/kWh are low

Difference between Eco, normal and sport modes

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