[PSkiddy]

Hi All,
I just got a Hybrid Blue, and I was wondering about the differences between the “Eco” and “Smart” driving modes. A friend has a an Elantra hybrid, and his didn’t have an Eco mode - only the Smart, Normal, and Sport. On the Tucson hybrid, there’s no “Normal”. Anyway, was wondering what people’s experience is between the two non-sport modes.

Thanks!

Pat

 

[mungo544]

There is a really good explanation in the owner's manual. I personally don't use smart mode. It is supposed to adjust shift points according to your driving habits. I assume eco mode is normal mode for the hybrid. It adjusts shift points and to maximize economy and uses more power steering assist. Sport mode 1) allows the gas engine to kick in more often to increase performance at the expense of fuel economy. 2) It lessens power steering boost for better handling. 3) It also allows you remain in the selected gear longer when manually shifting with the paddles. When you use paddle shifters in eco mode, it reverts to "D" if you don't manually shift within a few seconds.

 

[222cson]

FWIW, here’s my experience … after about 4 months and 5700 kms (3500 mi) of driving, I’ve come to the conclusion that Smart mode is anything but! There’s no discernible difference between that and Eco so going forward I will only be using Eco and Sport.

 

[mungo544]

Especially if more than one driver uses the car and they have different driving habits. If you read the description in the manual of how it works, it really sounds like nonsense.

 

[PSkiddy]

Thanks All. I just took a look at the manual as well. I don't think it necessarily means Smart mode is supposed to learn from how you drive in a predictive sense, but more that if while you're driving you're driving you step on the gas hard it will respond more like it would in Sport mode instead of limiting the response like it would in Eco mode. And if you drive gently it will respond in a more fuel efficient manner. So instead of always being in Eco or Sport mode, it's supposed to react more based on your inputs (I imagine mostly on how you're accelerating).

 

[mungo544]

That makes sense.

 

[Jay]

I think of smart mode as a supervisory mode. It observes the way you drive then selects the most appropriate other mode.

 

[222cson]

I think of smart mode as a supervisory mode. It observes the way you drive then selects the most appropriate other mode.

Lol - well in practice it’s useless!!

 

[Epic0n4th]

I know this is an old thread, but I've finally taken delivery of my plug-in hybrid, (after almost 3 months of delays) and was interested in this very topic.
I tend to agree that, based on driver input, “Smart” will assume the characteristics of the other modes offered without having to select a different mode which will always operate as it's designed. Sort of a best of both (or, all) worlds. Thank you for the replies. Great info.

 

[Starboy]

I know this is an old thread, but I've finally taken delivery of my plug-in hybrid, (after almost 3 months of delays) and was interested in this very topic.
I tend to agree that, based on driver input, “Smart” will assume the characteristics of the other modes offered without having to select a different mode which will always operate as it's designed. Sort of a best of both (or, all) worlds. Thank you for the replies. Great info.

Congrats on your new car purchase. I hope you love it as much as I do mine

 

[Tampa8]

Smart mode on the ICE clearly picks between the normal mode (I don't have an ECO mode but Normal would be similar) and Sport mode. It tells you when it switches, and you can feel the difference in revs/power and steering.