What is the driving mode in a car?

If your car has driving modes and you’re wondering what they are, this guide will explain everything you need to know about the most common types of drive mode.

Driving modes which allow you to change the way a car drives and feels at the push of a button (or a touchscreen icon) are now hugely popular, and almost all new cars come with driving modes, sometimes as an option.

The idea behind having a drive mode is that you can have a car switched to a soft, economical setting for everyday driving, and then turn over to a sportier setting when you’re on your favourite back roads. Drive modes can change the way a car feels by altering various aspects of its setup. While this is most commonly between comfort and sporty characteristics, it can also be for improved economy or going off road.

What is a driving mode?

A driving mode is an electronic setting, usually one of a few available through either a touchscreen control or a physical switch, which can alter the way your car feels to drive by changing such things as the power steering, the way the accelerator responds, the gearbox shift speed, or how stiff the suspension is.

How do drive modes work?

Drive modes are a purely electronic thing. Most commonly now, they are selected by a touchscreen menu, although some cars still use a physical button or knob. Usually, they’re separated into different modes called Sport, Normal, Eco, and Comfort, or something along those lines.

By altering the electronic controls that govern the likes of your car’s power steering, its accelerator pedal, its suspension dampers, its gearbox, and even the air conditioning, changing the driving mode can give you a different driving experience at the touch of a button.

For instance, selecting a Sport setting in most cars will dial down the power assistance for the steering, making it seem heavier and a bit more directly connected to the front wheels, while at the same time it will make the accelerator pedal more responsive, so you get more power for a given amount of pedal movement.

In some cars, those fitted with electronically controlled suspension, the dampers will also be set to a stiffer mode, keeping body roll more tightly in check while also making the car feel more aggressive in corners. The automatic gearbox, if fitted, will also usually be instructed to change-up later, and change down earlier, allowing the driver to hold on to engine revs for maximum acceleration.

Popular driving modes

Normal mode

This is usually the best mode for everyday driving, as it will deliver a balanced setting that’s neither overly-sporty nor entirely tuned towards economy. Most cars will default back to their Normal mode when you switch them on. You can think of it as your car’s basic setting.

Eco mode

This is the mode for when you want to save a bit of fuel. Eco mode will reduce the sensitivity of the accelerator so that you have to press much harder on it to get the car to speed up. In many cars, Eco mode also changes the air conditioning setting so that it draws less power from the engine, improving economy at lower speeds. Some systems also reduce the air conditioning or climate control system to focusing on just the driver’s seat in Eco mode. In some cars, electric cars especially, Eco mode might switch the air conditioning off altogether.

In a car with an automatic gearbox, Eco mode will make it shift up earlier, getting into fuel-saving top gear as early as possible. Power steering might actually be reduced as well, as that’s again less strain on the engine. In an electric car, power from the motor will often be reduced so as to limit acceleration and therefore limit the power drain on the battery.

Comfort mode

Comfort mode is best experienced in a car with electronically controlled suspension, as it will set the dampers to their softest setting, allowing for the best possible ride comfort. That will come at the expense of sporty driving, though, as not only will the suspension be softer, but the power steering will usually be increased, making it lighter and easier to move at low speeds, but with less feel and feedback.

In cars with an active engine sound generator (artificial engine noise, as it’s also known) this will usually be switched off in comfort mode for maximum refinement.

Sport/dynamic mode

This is the mode for when you’re on your favourite road. Sport mode generally means heavier steering, sometimes (hopefully) with a more direct feeling and more feedback from the wheels.

Cars with electronically controlled or adaptive suspension will be put into their stiffest setting, keeping the body more tightly controlled in corners (at the expense of some ride comfort). The accelerator pedal will be at its most sensitive, giving you more power for a given amount of pedal movement, while an automatic gearbox will be told to shift up later, and shift down earlier, trying to keep the engine’s revs close to the point of peak power.

In an electric car, Sport mode often releases extra power from the motors, sometimes in short bursts for ‘Launch Control’ acceleration, which can’t be maintained all the time for fear of overheating the motors.

Individual mode

This allows you to set up a mode that suits you best. For instance, you might want to have the sportiest setting for the steering, but the softest suspension if you’re driving on roads that are twisty, but with lots of bumps. Or perhaps you want the car to be in Eco mode, but you still want full-on air conditioning.

Individual mode allows you to tailor the car’s settings to the way you like them, and in some cars it’s notably effective. For instance, in many Ferrari models, you can have all of the car’s systems set to their sportiest, but there’s a ‘Bumpy Road’ setting that keeps the suspension primed for dealing with lumps and potholes. Or, in Volkswagen Group cars that use the DCC adaptive suspension, there’s a ‘super-soft’ setting that’s only available when you go in through the Individual mode, allowing you to set the car up in its softest, most comfortable form.

Do driving modes make a difference?

Yes, driving modes can make a difference, but occasionally there’s a bit of cheating going on. Clearly, changing items such as the power steering, the gearbox shifting, and the way the accelerator responds can significantly alter the way a car feels to drive. Equally, turning on the Eco setting can help you save a bit of fuel on a long drive, as long as you’re driving gently. However, in many cars changing the drive mode from, say, Comfort to Sport actually instructs the electronics to briefly switch to what we might call a ‘maximum’ mode, going beyond the actual settings for that mode so that you feel an instant and definite difference, so that you’re made to think that the car’s settings have clearly and obviously changed. However, after a few seconds, many Driving Mode systems will then start to dial everything back a bit, to where the car maker feels they actually work best, even if that’s not as pronounced a change from, say, Normal or Comfort.

Driving mode FAQs

What drive mode is best for everyday use?

Generally speaking, Normal or Comfort mode is the best for everyday driving. In cars without adaptive suspension there’s usually little point in selecting Sport mode, while the fuel-saving efforts of Eco mode can be just as easily realised by driving a little more gently in Normal mode.

Which drive mode saves the most fuel?

In theory, switching to Eco mode should help you save some fuel, or some range if you’re driving an electric car. Changes to the likes of how the gearbox shifts, how the accelerator responds, and how the air conditioning functions can help to eke out slightly better fuel economy, but for the most part you’d actually be just as well off driving a little more gently in Normal mode.

Is it OK to switch modes while driving?

Yes, especially in a car with a physical button for changing the driving mode. Those with driving mode buttons on the steering wheel — most famously Ferrari and Porsche, but also more humble cars such as the Cupra Born and the Ford Puma — make it even easier and less distracting. Most cars these days use the touchscreen to change driving modes, which isn’t such a good idea when you’re driving as it can be distracting and time consuming.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.