When in either HV or EV mode (though especially curious about HV): Is there any difference between Eco Mode and Normal Mode other than the psychological trick of making the driver have to push down more on the accelerator pedal in Eco Mode to get the same amount of acceleration? So other than the accelerator pedal pressure difference, does anything about the car's software or thought process change between Eco Mode and Normal Mode? Is the car less economical in Normal than Eco Mode? Or is it exactly the same (other than the amount of pressure needed on the accelerator pedal?)
hvac Eco mode for climate control is controlled separately from drive mode in Gen 4 and, I assume, Prime
Drive Mode Eco defaults HVAC to Eco mode. Normal and Power do not. You can, of course, override the default.
To muddy the waters, aren't fourth gen "modes" all shifted towards the aggressive end of the spectrum, by about one mode? On 3rd gen, I tried ECO at first, then shifted back to Normal mode after about 6 months, didn't seem to effect mpg. The main feature of ECO was inordinate and tiresomely long gas pedal travel, way more than necessary for easy modulation.
So, G4 PWR is basically "mind yur belted in now" mode? I guess then, I'd vote for ECO in gen 4, I like the linear feel of Normal on gen 3.
I like Eco because most driving gets done at low throttle settings and Eco mode makes it less touchy at those settings and is thus easier to control. Normal is pretty touchy and Power is crazy touchy.
I know, switching from Eco to Power Mode when climbing the Grapevine is just a blast! It makes it feel like you got some power under you! I know, I know all in my head.
So the bottom line, is that you have the option to set HVAC Eco mode to either be always on, or on only in ECO drive mode? In the GEN 3, you get HVAC Eco mode only when in ECO drive mode.
I've been driving in ECO in my Gen3 for ~ 5 years and do the same in the Prime, works fine for me ... and I know if I really need to accelerate fast, i just have the push the pedal harder
My son thinks Gen 4 Eco is like PWR mode in his 2015 Prius v. Although going into Eco driving mode may change the climate control, you can change it back to normal.
