Sport mode is a drive mode setting (usually in automatic cars) that adjusts your transmission and throttle to accommodate faster acceleration and sharper handling.

From compact sedans to full-size SUVs, many newer vehicles on the market today feature different driving modes that allow for a more versatile driving experience. While something like Eco mode restricts your transmission to improve fuel efficiency, Sport mode actually opens your throttle more to amplify your engine’s power.

If you’ve ever been curious as to what that Sport button does on your BMW X3 or Nissan Sentra, you’ve come to the right place.

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What is Sport mode?

Sport mode primarily adjusts your vehicle’s throttle, transmission shift points, and steering response to achieve the more powerful and responsive driving feel of a sports car. It’s usually engaged by pressing a button located beside the gearshift console, which adjusts your car’s programming to respond more sensitively to driver inputs.

Sport mode offers a more thrilling ride to drivers in a few ways:

Faster acceleration—the car’s throttle responds much more quickly to the gas pedal

Stiffened suspension—adjustable suspension systems can often lower ride height for a more agile driving experience

Satisfying “vroom” noise—this is either due to increased exhaust flow or simply a sportier exhaust noise emitted from the speakers

Increased top speeds—in some cars, horsepower and torque can be enhanced in Sport mode, leading to higher speeds

Dashboard excitement—the speedometer and other gauges will sometimes light up when Sport mode is engaged

Tightened seat bolsters—the driver’s seat bolstering may be tightened, allowing you to feel more connected with the vehicle

Weighted steering wheel—often the steering feels tighter under sport mode, improving handling

MORE:

Should I buy a sports car?

What does Sport mode do to your car?

Now that we’ve got an idea of what Sport mode does for drivers, let’s take a look at what it does for your car.

Throttle mapping

On a basic level, Sport mode tells the car’s programming to shift into a more aggressive throttle map. This refers to the relationship between the gas pedal and the throttle position.

Whereas a normal throttle map optimizes fuel consumption by opening the throttle as little as possible in response to the pedal, Sport mode’s throttle map opens the throttle more when the same amount of gas pedal pressure is applied. In doing so, more gas is released into the engine, allowing a greater push of acceleration.

Transmission shift schedule

Sport mode can also change the shift points in the vehicle’s transmission logic. To gain the most power (at the expense of lower fuel economy), the gearbox promotes downshifts at higher RPMs.

This differs from a standard automatic transmission, which is programmed to favor quick upshifts for better fuel economy. By holding gears longer in Sport mode, the engine is kept closer to its power band (the peak of its horsepower and torque), thus increasing revving capacity.

Steering and suspension

In some vehicles, electric power steering systems can add more resistance to the steering wheel when Sport mode is active. Adjustable shock absorbers can also tighten up dampening levels and suspension can lower ride height so that your car feels even more like a racecar.

In models with all-wheel drive systems, torque can be sent to the rear wheels faster to sharpen out handling even further.

That said, these extra sport mode functionalities are usually reserved for higher-costing, performance-focused vehicles like a

Porsche Macan

T, as opposed to something like a

Mini Cooper S

. No matter what model you have, a more aggressive throttle map and shift schedule tend to be the most prevalent Sport mode features.

MORE:

Why your car makes noise when accelerating

When to use Sport mode

Sport mode isn’t something you’re going to turn on to improve your fuel efficiency. In fact, your fuel efficiency is most definitely going to worsen while it’s engaged. You also won’t want to use Sport mode during your daily commute where congested traffic will cancel out most of its perks (i.e., fast acceleration and sharp handling).

Rather, you’re going to want to save the Sport mode excursions for longer stretches of clear highway. If you can find an engaging road with sweeping curves in it, this will allow an even more gripping driving experience.

You typically don’t need to do anything other than press your Sport mode button to jump into that finer performance—so if the mood hits, the road’s long and clear, and the weather’s good, go for it!

Popular cars that have Sport mode

It’s not just sports cars that have Sport mode capabilities. There’s actually a wide and diverse range of models and vehicle types that offer Sport mode on certain trims—as well as some other useful driving modes like Snow mode and Eco mode.

Here’s just a small taste of some popular vehicles that have Sport mode available.

Luxury cars: BMW 3 series, Porsche Macan,

Mercedes-Benz C300

Sedans and hatchbacks:

SUVs:

Pickups:

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Dodge Ram 1500

Electric vehicles aren’t left out here either! Though an EV obviously lacks the fuel system that allows for a gas-powered vehicle’s sport mode, battery power and suspension can still be distributed and adjusted for sportier performance.

Some popular EVs that feature Sport mode include the Tesla Model Y,

Chevy Bolt

, and

Volkswagen

ID.4.

MORE:

Tesla Model Y insurance costs

How to find cheap insurance for your sporty (or not) ride

Hitting the road in a sports car, or hitting the road in a regular car with Sport mode activated, can give you a very satisfying thrill. The term’s not “full throttle” without reason.

Because sportier driving can increase collision risk, however,

car insurance

costs might run higher. You don’t have to comb through website after website searching for an affordable policy, though. Just download

Jerry

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dedicated to savings, Jerry instantly cross-analyzes quotes from over 55 top insurers to narrow down the best rates available to you—no matter how sporty your ride is. The average user ends up saving over $800 a year on car insurance, so it’s definitely worth the (free) look.

“As a young person who owns a sports car and a high-end sedan, I couldn’t find quotes below a certain threshold. By using
Jerry
, I managed to find full comprehensive coverage on both vehicles and saved $150 a month!” —Channing Y.

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FAQs

Does the car go faster in Sport mode?

In most ways, yes. Essentially, Sport mode lets you accelerate faster. While it can sometimes lead to higher top speeds in certain vehicles as well, this isn’t always achieved.

Does using sport mode burn more gas?

Yes. Your throttle mapping is more aggressive in Sport mode, which allows more fuel to be consumed by the engine to enable faster acceleration.

Can you drive in Sport mode all the time?

Technically, yes. But, it’s unadvised. Not only would this use up much more gas, but Sport mode in certain driving situations (like stop-and-go traffic) would create a jerkier, less comfortable ride. You’re therefore much better off reserving Sport mode for when you can safely go higher speeds for longer periods (like on a clear highway).

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