Is sport mode really better for mpg?

A few days ago, someone said sport mode is more fuel-efficient. I decided to test it during my commute. Using premium gas, driving 16 miles with a light foot and no stoplights, I hit 35 mpg. It seems I could consistently get 32-33 mpg, which is better than the 27 mpg I usually get in normal mode. Thanks for the advice

You must live somewhere with no wind :joy:. I barely manage 25 mpg here in the northern plains.

Vale said:
You must live somewhere with no wind :joy:. I barely manage 25 mpg here in the northern plains.

I’m in the southeast and only get around 24 mpg. I don’t know how people get these crazy numbers.

Vale said:
You must live somewhere with no wind :joy:. I barely manage 25 mpg here in the northern plains.

Same here in the northeast. The cold and wind really bring the mpg down.

That’s interesting, but you might need to test it over more miles to be sure.

Cam said:
That’s interesting, but you might need to test it over more miles to be sure.

I agree. I’ll keep testing and share updates soon.

Pat said:

Cam said:
That’s interesting, but you might need to test it over more miles to be sure.

I agree. I’ll keep testing and share updates soon.

I did a 6-hour highway trip recently and averaged 35 mpg with premium gas too.

I always drive in sport mode and get about 27 mpg. I rarely use highways, and I have a Badlands model. For me, sport mode disables the auto start/stop feature, which I prefer.

Jai said:
I always drive in sport mode and get about 27 mpg. I rarely use highways, and I have a Badlands model. For me, sport mode disables the auto start/stop feature, which I prefer.

What tires are you using?

@Vince
Just the stock Pirellis. I’ve only had the car for less than a year.

Is this for the 2.0 engine?

Ari said:
Is this for the 2.0 engine?

No, it’s the 1.5L 3-cylinder engine.

Pat said:

Ari said:
Is this for the 2.0 engine?

No, it’s the 1.5L 3-cylinder engine.

Got it, thanks!

My issue with sport mode is having to press another button. I already have to disable auto start/stop, adjust the backup alert because of my bike rack, reset the HVAC that does its own thing, and fix the sync radio settings. Now, adding sport mode to the mix feels like too much. I just want a car I can start and drive.

@Reese
Switching to sport mode should turn off auto start/stop automatically. It’s still just one button, but yeah, still annoying.

Darwin said:
@Reese
Switching to sport mode should turn off auto start/stop automatically. It’s still just one button, but yeah, still annoying.

Weird, mine still shuts off automatically even in sport mode.

@Reese
If you set sport mode after turning off auto start/stop, it might turn it back on. Just don’t touch it after switching modes, and it should stay off.

@Reese
I wish the start/stop button was buried in the menu and the traction control was easily accessible. I always turn start/stop off but only occasionally need to turn off traction control.

I use 91 octane too. If I drive 16 miles in normal mode right after refueling, I get similar mpg. Sport mode holds higher revs, so without stops, the mpg difference is small. Try the same route in normal or eco mode and compare.

Anyone tried this with the Badlands model? I did for a while, but the higher RPMs on the highway made me switch back.