Does That Sport Button In Your Car Actually Do Anything?

If you’re a regular visitor to the pages of evo, you’ll be familiar with our Tolkienesque war of Digital versus Analogue. It’s been waged for years now, the once pre-eminent forces of feelsome good embattled by the creeping scourge of electronic evil.

The most obvious manifestation of this digital dynamic revolution is in the various driving modes most even vaguely sporting cars now offer. We now have an unprecedented ability to tailor a car to our specific tastes. For once, I don’t have a downer on this particular area of progress, but I do ask myself how many of us actually make full and regular use of the technology.

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TomM - 11/7/2018 2:27:29 PM

0 Boost

There are lots of things added to cars today that most people will never even know are there - or how in the world to use them properly. I would expect that the average Mercedes buyer decides which setting is the most comfortable for their type of driving - and rarely even touches the setting otherwise.

I have found that -when on a long trip - on Major interstates - the actual difference between the setting is really hard to tell. That is because the road itself smooths out much of the drive with controlled turns. However - on a trip up the Big Sur - the Sport mode of most cars does indeed make the trip and the DRIVE much better.

PUGPROUD - 11/7/2018 6:42:13 PM

+2 Boost

Like to drive my BMW with Sport mode suspension and throttle response but Comfort steering. In Sport mode suspension much tighter, throttle response more immediate. Steering in Sport mode too heavily weighted without adding any more feel or tighter radius turning so I leave it in Comfort mode.

TheSteve - 11/8/2018 12:53:51 AM

+4 Boost

Yup. Audi Q5:
- Suspension slightly firmer (subtle)
- Steering slightly firmer (subtle)
- Accelerator response is more immediate (noticeable)
- Engine runs at higher RPM, transmission holds gears longer (@ higher RPMs). The higher RPMs contribute to the brisker acceleration when called upon.

focal - 11/8/2018 11:07:13 AM

+2 Boost

Throttle response and slightly tighter steering. I have "analogue" dampers so no ride difference. I drive with a manual transmission so no change there.

HoustonMidtown - 11/8/2018 2:41:27 PM

+3 Boost

Reminds me of the recent Honda Civic commercials "...with Sport Mode"......