Eco mode changes throttle input, you should notice a difference in throttle response based on eco vs normal. The vehicle should seem much less willing to accelerate hard.

It also changes transmission shift points so that the vehicle shifts sooner rather than later; the vehicles shifts to the next gear at a lower RPM.

I believe it may also do something with climate control but I’m not totally sure. I’m speaking on my experience with my wife’s Prius, still waiting for my Highlander Hybrid.

 

There is a huge difference is throttle response and shift point in Eco verses Normal. You really have to lay into the throttle while in Eco to get a hard acceleration not so much in normal. I have noticed while in Eco shifts usually occur 2k rpms and no higher than 2500 (depending on the gear).

 

When towing a trailer, you really see the difference. When going uphill, on the highway, the engine does not rise it's RPM as much (and the vehicle slows down in ECO). But normally (without trailer) I run ECO all the time.

With snowfall, I tried trail mode when going uphill and I see the difference: the engine runs longer and at higher rev. Also climate control has an impact. I do 10 km trip (both ways) to school these days and if you run the heater while going downhill, the car will run the engine, just to make heat. Then the battery becomes full and it switches to compression to slow down going downhill. If I put the cabin heater off (and only use heated seats) the engine goes off. That's going to save gas.

jf

 

Since you use more fuel from a full stop, eco driving mode helps reduce fuel consumption by decreasing the throttle response during acceleration. Though you can just feather the pedal in normal driving mode and get the same results.

 

I find the throttle response in eco mode to be too sluggish for my liking. I actually get worse mileage in this mode versus normal as I tend to push it harder to start off and keep up with traffic. Hence, normal is now my default. Feathering the pedal in normal mode is more tolerable imo.

 

Ok, thank you. I assume I was unintentionally using heavier foot on the pedals to compensate in Eco mode, hence no difference.

 

And that sounds about right......nothing magical here. Go heavier on the throttle/acceleration in Eco with later shift points or lighter in Sport with earlier shift points it shouldn't make a dime's bit of difference.

 

I notice a drop in power (torque?) if while cruising I switch from Normal to Eco.

It instantly spots pulling. Not slow down. Just noticeable power drop.

I usually drive in Eco mode, but have played a bit.

If you press hard (mash) the go pedal, it will wake right up, I noticed. That surprised me once, in a good way when I needed it.

 

After driving my 2020 Highlander in Normal mode since I bought it back in July, the other day I decided to try Eco mode. So far for City/Suburban driving I am loving it. Normal mode was a little too peppy for me anyways, perhaps this Eco mode will keep me out of trouble with the slower acceleration. Although ironically as stated in some other threads, I'm not really seeing any fuel savings. That being said, on longer freeway or open road trips, I'll likely switch it back to Normal.

 

I’ve had my HiHy since last October and I just tried Sport mode. Wow! What a difference. It’s very zippy! I use around town. Then I switch to Eco which is where I’ve had in set to since a bought it.

 

We operate ours exclusively in eco mode...not because of fuel savings, but because of the less sensitive accelerator. My wife's foot isn't as disciplined as it should be and in normal mode she's kinda jerky with the throttle. In eco mode, she's smooth as butter.

 

...My wife's foot isn't as disciplined as it should be and in normal mode she's kinda jerky with the throttle. In eco mode, she's smooth as butter.

Sounds like my wife as well. She's either accelerating or decelerating - never driving at a steady speed. Drives me crazy at times, especially when she keeps accelerating when the brake lights of the car in front come on.

 

Consumer Reports article from March 2022 regarding ECO mode in cars . Conclusion, little to no fuel economy benefit from using ECO mode.

Does Eco Mode Really Save Gas and Boost Fuel Economy? - Consumer Reports