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0-60 mph in "sport" mode.

9.7K views 93 replies 28 participants last post by  Tazio Nuvolari  
#1 ·
I read that sport mode changes transmission shift points. Has anybody tested if this actually improves 0-60 times?
 
#3 ·
I have found that there is a huge difference in my gas model 2021 XLE AWD between the shift points in ECO compared to Sport. Lesser difference between Normal and Sport when you floor it. I have not tested on the drag strip myself or on the street using a stop watch. I do try to push Sport button before passing if I remember. On sustained hi speed canyon running I use sport all the time. Here is the ONLY gas model drag strip video that exists for a FWD 5th gen gas model.
 
#10 · (Edited)
About 5.5 seconds 😘
We're talking the 2.5L gas 8-speed not the Prime, at least I think so.
Sport gives highest/quickest throttle response compared to ECO or Normal. In other words it takes less foot movement pressing the gas pedal to hit higher RPMs in Sport.
Yes, but full throttle is still the same in any mode. So essentially Sport functions the same as one of those Pedal Commanders. I wish our 2011 V6 had an ECO mode since its tip-in is so quick I have to touch the pedal very lightly to keep my wife from saying I'm gonna give her whiplash.
I have found that in Sport mode the RAV will stay in most gears way up into the 6K RPM range almost to redline when you floor it, before up shifting.
Yep, that would give a little quicker acceleration.
the RAV gas model 8 speed also will do a "kick down" shift to a lower gear when you floor It
And at some speeds Sport mode may cause shift to a lower gear.
Thus, it makes no difference what mode you are in for a drag strip 0 to 60, pedal to the metal, test since the engine horse power is the same.
Not really true since it depends on how the engine is allowed to rev before shifting. The modes change that.
I am happy to test, I have a 2024 xle gas rental for the week.
I rented a 2023 Gas 8-speed RAV4 last summer while my F-250 was having its transmission replaced in Columbus OH. Drove around enough to become familiar with the area to conduct some acceleration testing. I don't know if being a California car hurt it but compared to our V6 5-speed it was just okay IMO. Yeah I pulled away from cars at lights using most of the pedal but if someone wanted to run me I was sure I'd lose. Most disappointing was even tho it was FWD it wouldn't even chirp the tires on dry pavement. My Accord Hybrid would leave it at a light and so would our RAV4 with half pedal.

So I guess its okay for the masses but I wouldn't tout Sport mode as anything special.
 
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#12 ·
Yeah, me too with my V6.
 
#23 ·
The trans modes are deceiving. "Heavier" foot in Normal is about exact same as easy foot in Sport mode. ;)
Because Sport mode won't stick 'on' after shutting off the engine, I have learned to drive Rav in Normal mode.

It's not very clear to me the diff between say trans Eco vs trans Normal with green "ECO" icon in cluster. It's all a bit gimmicky to me.
 
#24 ·
It's not very clear to me the diff between say trans Eco vs trans Normal with green "ECO" icon in cluster. It's all a bit gimmicky to me.
I find that "gimmicky" as well. If I turn off "Eco" by switching to "Normal" why do I still need to see the "Eco" bar adjust with pressure on the throttle. On my 4Runner when I switch the Eco to "off" the light goes out and no reference to anything eco until I turn it back on. Also, keep in mind when in true "Eco" mode the AC functions at a reduced level too which is not necessarily ideal for comfort on those hot humid summer days.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Over the years I've had to cars that broke 12 seconds @ sanctioned drag strips. Our R4 is fun to drive, but pretty slow...
You can't compare apples to oranges. Both the hybrid and gas 5th gens RAVs are faster than many current comparable cars like the lower trim level Bronco Sport (Non-Badlands), Subaru Crosstrek, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape (non-Turbo), Mazda CX5 & 50 (non-turbo) and many others. Here is an older video.
 
#33 ·
I'm just saying, once you've driven fast vehicles anything else seems a bit, ehmmm.
rav4 prime is decent for how large it is but relative to a small sedan/hatch it handles so poorly I wouldn't really want to drive it like that.
I have been around for many years and am grey of hair and long in the tooth. I drove and owned some "sports cars" and "pocket rockets" that were considered fast and good handling in their day. My '21 RAV XLE AWD would literally devastate any of them in a race...either a drag or road race. Such once "fast" cars include 1960's Alfa Romeo sedans and spyders, MGA and MGB, Triumph TR3 and TR4, Fiat Abarth Berlinettas, BMW 2002, 1980's Volvo 240 Turbo, 1980's VW GTI. The RAV is faster and better handling than some cars I raced--'77 VW Scirocco (highly modified with 160 HP engine), Fairthorpe Electron Minor (tube frame/ fiberglass body sports racer), highly rally modified 1968 Volvo Amazon. The only car I owned that would easily beat my RAV in a drag race was a 1940 Ford Business Coupe with a Chevy 396 C.I. rat motor.
 
#38 ·
so, since this is in the general forum, and I have a prime, the car is nice and quick in hybrid mode... the acceleration with battery only or ice only is lack luster...

But I bought the car for the combination of features.... I've had a number of cars, and 3 all electric vehicles.

For what I wanted, this ticks the boxes best...

You want something faster, buy a different car, you want all the features the car has but better, spend more money...

for the complainers, present what your priorities are, and then look for a vehicle that meets them better.... this one meets my priorities...
 
#39 ·
so, since this is in the general forum, and I have a prime, the car is nice and quick in hybrid mode... the acceleration with battery only or ice only is lack luster...
For my hybrid, there is no way to select ICE only. Is there a way on the Prime? (I doubt it since it is much like the hybrid but with a bigger battery).
 
#40 ·
yep.... although still decoding why there are 2 EV/HV buttons.

Auto HV - let the car decide the mix of ICE and battery
HV - looks to be mostly ICE
EV - battery only until close to exhaustion
EV hold (forgot the exact name)... ICE only and charges the battery...

I don't know all this perfectly yet, like what happens in the EV hold mode when the battery is fully charged... and the fine distinction between Auto HV and just plain HV... but I will experiment and get it down.

(have not fooled with trail mode either)

Greg
 
#44 ·
You know with the screen name you have, you should be careful with your statements.

Trying to drive a slow car fast is:
  1. dangerous
  2. frustrating
  3. irritating
  4. silly
you can easily overdrive the suspension, tires, brakes, etc.

Driving a fast car slow might be frustrating, but not dangerous... or you look like the silly rich people that buy uber-performance vehicles and drive them like grandparents...

Just had to give you a little grief on that statement.... you did pick a famous display name...
 
#49 ·
If you want to try out a really quick car for daily driving, I suggest the current BMW M340i. Stock horsepower is 382, and a mild hybrid system gives a 10 hp boost under certain conditions. However, it’s the tuning of the turbo and 8 speed transmission that makes it a joy to drive.

Torque is what feels like power when driving, and most cars need higher rpm to get high torque. BMW has managed to tune their turbo to provide max torque starting at about 1200-1500 rpm, and the quick shifting automatic puts you in that rpm range almost instantly. There is no big noise or fanfare, just smooth power.

The M340i xDrive will do 0-60 in under 4 seconds, the quarter mile in about 12.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 155 mph. And then when you take your cross country run on the interstate it will get consistently get 32-33 mpg. Just remember that the sport suspension and low profile tires means it does not ride like a Camry or Accord.
 
#53 ·
Well, my last Audi A8 went 220,000 miles, looked like new and still went 140 mph when I sold it...

Yes, a $100,000 car is expensive to maintain, and you would be a fool to buy one if you did not realize that when you bought it... also my SL500 mercedes has over 200k miles and the motor and trans are still perfect... does not leak a drop of oil... again expensive... but I do maintain my vehicles...
 
#61 ·
yes, I remember the Porsche 914 was sold as a volkswagen in Europe initially, if I am not mistaken
Yes, the 4 cylinder 914 was made by VW and has a VW engine (411 engine). But I have the six cylinder. The body for the six, when it came off the Karman body line, was shipped to Porsche where a 911 running gear (911T engine and front suspension) was installed.
 
#56 ·
J.D. Power initial quality survey "Among premium brands, Alfa Romeo ranks highest with a score of 143 PP100.
Didn't the AR Giulia have all sorts of issues?
Alfas have ALWAYS been unreliable, high maintenance cars. Fun to drive and good handling YES! Just NOT what a non-gearhead would want for a daily driver.
 
#57 ·
High maintenance? I had a 1973 Triumph TR-6 back in the day. Most fun vehicle I ever owned but we used to joke that it had a shy kidney, fine in our presence but would leak oil as soon as you turned your back. After giving up riding motorcycles we did have a 2007 BMW Z4 M that would simply fly. That was one vehicle that never gave us a single problem in the 5 years we owned it.