I find I like running the Eco Mode best in my Prius, as it gives me more fine-tuning on the throttle pedal. That of course helps keep the engine at its lowest power setting, and boost MPGs. It's a bit tricky but worthwhile. I think there's zero need to switch to power mode for acceleration.
I'll jump in, with the other side of the debate: I found the pedal travel excessive, really a work out, like a long throw gear shift.
Actually it feels like my 3-cylinder insight. I have to really push the pedal to the floor to get acceleration & the Prius in Eco mode is the same. (Which is why I like it..... saves gas.)
Always in the ECO mode for over a year. I did feel guilty twice hitting the accelerator too hard and starting the ICE on a short trip.
Agreed. I rarely use eco mode, interestingly enough, I find that I can take the car just to the threshold of ICE kicking in more accurately in Power mode. Not to mention its better if you pulse & glide, get up to speed with less effort and lay off the gas. I drive in normal mode most of the time, Power on highways. My wife drives in power mode 100% of the time. Might not get the absolute best mileage, but we drive it like a car. Could care less about squeezing an extra couple miles out of the tank by babying it.
My only problem with the Eco Mode is that pedal travel, but that's because i switch from a Toyota Tundra V8, a couple of times a week. The throttle response is so different, and the launch characteristics off the line are so different. It takes me a few minutes to get used to it again. I do agree, it does make you feel guilty when you mash down the accelerator.
I drive in Eco mode all of the time as well. I also appreciate having a lot of pedal travel as opposed to most new cars in which you have to control 80% of the acceleration with the first 20% of pedal travel.
I just purchased a used 2012 prius v with 44k and I have driven 850 miles last week. The Eco mode is it's default mode. Unless I change it. iPhone ?
Its not a default mode. When you start the car it will remember the mode from the previous trip. Turn it off, it will stay off. However, many consider it to be the best mode for accelerator control and mileage.
