The sport setting is my default setting. Car is quicker cause it holds the shifts longer giving more pulling power & really tightens up the steering giving it a nice, hefty feeling. I actually get the same mpg in sport as I do in eco. In eco i have to hit the pedal harder than i have to in sport so it evens out.
It's quite dramatic when you have a turbo engine too. Sport mode not only holds the gears longer= much quicker take offs at any speed. On the turbo models it's as if the wastegate mangement is off- and it lets it spool up alot quicker too. It's hard on tires that's for sure .
For instance- drive eco- it just helps you try to achieve what you want to do- drive better for good gas mpg. It holds gears to a low rpm and shifts for maximum mpg granted you're being nice to the throttle. It also numbs throttle response- meaning you have to push the pedal further to get it to move the same amount in normal or sport.
Now sport on the other hand- atleast for me just feels like a sudden boost of turbo spool each time I want to take off- its snappy quick under normal throttle- whereas on "normal" mode it just feels like a in-between of eco and sport- sort of meh but it moves if you want it too. But sport on a turbo just surges you forward... its hard not to get the tires to break loose at that point.
Yes it does make a difference, it changes the shift points and steering assist as stated in the manual and all of the sales info.
I use Sport most of the time. As already posted it slightly changes the shift points and adds to the feel in the steering (making it a little less assist). With the type of driving I do most (freeway commute 130 miles R/T) at speeds of 65-85 it does not make much if any change in my overall mileage. If I'm driving the canyon road home or around town and heavy foot it does drop mileage a lot but on the turbo I think it really helps with the lag and makes the car more fun.
If you are going for mileage if your in normal, eco or sport the most important part to getting the best MPG is a light foot, easy smooth take off from stop, cruse at steady speed.
Hey Matt, some guy said it was useless on youtube, I just got a 2016 Sonata SE a couple of days ago, when I use the sport setting it feels like it has a boost, it's like a slight difference from the regular setting.
Yesterday was 85F and very low humidity. Had to drive to the office for post-storm repair to IT equipment. I used Sport Mode and a relatively clear US-1 to really enjoy my turbo. Windows down, roof open, thrown back in my seat at every opportunity.
I have a base SE, and Sport mode DOES make a difference. It gives the car another "personality" - steering tighter, quicker off the line, and shift point are held more aggressively.
Haven't used it enough to pass any conclusions on the effect on MPG, but I wouldn't think it would be terribly significant, especially if you're doing highway driving.
I rarely use the Sport mode, but it is nonsense to state that it is a useless feature.
I use that mode when I am driving quickly, and also shift manually because it is troublesome to induce upshifts past fourth gear if shifting automatically.
Makes a big difference for me. When I have the car loaded up or I am on back roads, I throw it into sport mode and the car engages so much better. Barely tapping the gas the car just wants to go. When in normal or eco, not so much. Love the sport setting.
it is annoying that you have to change to sport mode everytime you start the car, but eco stays locked in if I hit it on accident.
The assist is dropped down a bit in steering, and I noticed the transmission braking is a bit higher too when you let off the gas.
didn't really notice any faster driving but mine is a 2.4 not a turbo.
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