Many modern vehicles come with Sport Mode. This isn't restricted to just supercars or sports cars. Even luxury cars and SUVs can have this feature. Sport Mode is usually controlled via a switch or a button toggle. Much like Cruise Control, it is easily activated while cruising the highway.

Updated August 2023: If you've ever wondered what the Sport Mode button does on a car or if using this drive mode can damage the vehicle, we've expanded this list to explain the pros and cons of this performance mode in cars.

However, driving on a twisty road or a racetrack is much more fun when Sport Mode is engaged. But what exactly is Sport Mode, and what does it do? Will it damage a car if it's engaged all the time? And does it make any noticeable difference to the driving experience?

Let's dive deeper into the matter and check out some valuable information we've compiled about the pros and cons of using Sport Mode to help you better understand exactly what it is and what it offers regarding drive appeal and performance.

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10 Pro: Torque And Horsepower Bump

2023 Audi R8 GT - Front Quarter
Audi

Even those who own the fastest and most powerful sports cars want more power. And to make things even better, this is free power at the touch of a button. Sport Mode will often, but not always, include a boost function over the available torque and power. This translates to quicker acceleration and a higher top speed. While this is automatic in most modern cars, BMW made a big deal about it with their Z4 sDrive35is sports car.

In this Bimmer, the turbochargers create an over-boost to give the car more torque under acceleration. Of course, this usually means increased fuel consumption as well, which is one of the reasons it might be a good idea to turn off Sport Mode when it's not needed and instead use ECO mode to gain some of the precious gallons back.

9 Pro: Increased Acceleration

increased acceleration car
Infiniti

We've already mentioned that Sport Mode might increase power and torque, and the greater the torque produced by your vehicle's engine, the faster it can pick up speed. In simple terms, its acceleration times will improve. Many cars also have a Launch Control system that is only ever activated when Sport Mode is on – aiding acceleration times even further.

Simply put, if you're sitting in a static car, then pressing the gas pedal accelerates it. However, if the car has Sport Mode engaged, it will have a greater accelerating speed, letting it jump off the line a little faster than an identical car without Sport Mode engaged. Sport Mode will also hold on to gears for longer to keep the acceleration constant. The same car, however, in Normal or Comfort Mode will change gears far quicker to get better fuel consumption.

8 Pro: Stiffer Suspension

Kia Stinger GTS
Kia

Usually, a vehicle's suspension is responsible for providing the smoothest ride possible. Some cars and SUVs feature adjustable suspension, which allows for a certain change in ride height and ground clearance. The adjustable suspension is great for comfortable cruising over rougher terrain or just keeping the car flat during everyday driving - usually to fight the feeling of motion sickness.

By engaging Sport Mode, the suspension will become firmer and sometimes even reduce ride height. This is to reduce body roll and to have a lower center of gravity, which lets the car maneuver through corners at a higher rate of speed. Of course, comfort will be somewhat sacrificed when one uses Sport Mode. In many performance cars – like the BMW M-cars – the suspension can be comparatively soft and supple even in Sport Mode, while the rest of the settings are in their full attack spec. This helps keep the ride comfortable, even over the more rough terrain of backroads and mountain passes.

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7 Con: Fuel Consumption

2021 Ford Mustang convertible driving on the road front
Auto Trader UK

The sudden change in a vehicle's acceleration, response time, torque, and horsepower doesn't just happen without consequence. The biggest drawback of activating Sport Mode (or constantly leaving your vehicle in this mode) is that your MPG rating will suffer. It will take extra fuel to keep up with the sudden power demands, and although it may not seem like much of a difference initially, it can add up over time.

This is why many car manufacturers have added a Sport Mode via button toggle. By allowing you to turn Sport Mode on and off at will, you can get the best performance from your vehicle without having to stuff extra money into the pump each week. While Sport Mode can sometimes lessen fuel consumption, it is primarily a balancing act. Most cars with a Sport Mode will default to Comfort or Normal Mode when initially requiring the driver to push a button to activate it again. This is all done in the name of fuel economy.

6 Con: Engine Life

2019 Maserati Levante Trofeo front fascia cinematic view on racetrack
Maserati

This should be taken with a grain of salt because most car manufacturers will be aware of the desire for their customers to use Sport Mode as often as possible. Modern engines are designed to withstand a lot of abuse – specifically in sportier cars. But it is still important to note that activating Sport Mode will strain your engine more. Sportier manufacturers take this into account, and automakers like BMW purposely make their engines run hotter than regular engines to account for this fact - thereby canceling out the extra wear.

Of course, this isn't something that would matter short term. But overusing this mode for a prolonged period could wear down your engine faster than it may in a car that does not use Sport Mode as often. It's definitely something to keep in the back of your mind – even though most engines should last about the same miles whether using Sport Mode or not.

5 Pro: Tighter Steering

2024 Lotus Emira 2.0 i4 Steering Wheel
Lotus Cars

We've already mentioned how the suspension changes when using Sport Mode to improve the handling characteristics. However, that would be pointless and potentially dangerous if the steering feedback wasn't enhanced. Sport Mode will tighten the steering, giving the driver better feedback on what the wheels are up to and making it more responsive to steering wheel inputs. This is handy when driving briskly on a twisty mountain road or flat-out on a track.

Sport Mode can transform the handling to make an excellent driver's car. Carmakers like Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai prefer to give their cars light steering as it is easier to use around town. In contrast, other automakers like BMW gave all their cars a heavier steering feel, making them sportier and more driver-focused. While it is true that lighter steering models get heavier when using sport mode, most motoring enthusiasts prefer the heavier steering overall as it provides better communication between the driver's hands and the front wheels.

4 Pro: Better Throttle Response

throttle response sport mode
Lexus

It's not just the steering that becomes more responsive. Even the throttle's feel and response will sometimes change dramatically when using sport mode. Just a tiny input to the throttle pedal will have immediate results. Increased throttle response works wonders whether you're on the highway or overtaking on a two-lane road. The increase in horsepower, torque, and response will have you zipping up and past anyone at a much faster pace.

Many automakers deliberately make the difference between Comfort and Sport Mode so wide that most motorists don't care about going fast. In cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Comfort Mode allows smooth throttle inputs for gentle acceleration, while Sport Mode engages the throttle bodies to give a near-immediate response when needed. BMW also does this with their higher-up models, while Rolls-Royce keeps the calm and composed manner of going faster.

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3 Pro: Shifting At Higher RPMs

Nissan Altima
Nissan

Many people will buy a vehicle with manual transmission to have complete control over when the vehicle shifts out. Most automatic transmission-equipped cars and trucks shift at a lower RPM, which takes away from the overall performance capabilities of the vehicle. Sport Mode remedies this by overriding the traditional automatic transmission settings and shifting at a much higher RPM. In many cases, this doesn't increase power or torque but gives the occupants the impression that the car is going faster – even though it's not.

This means you're getting the biggest bang for your buck in performance, and you'll be able to accelerate farther and faster before the car changes gears. While this does come with the added consequence of fuel economy, the fun factor and enjoyment of the vehicle make up for the extra few dollars at the fuel pumps.

2 Con: Increased Wear And Tear Of Suspension And Tires

2024 Nissan Z NISMO on the race track
Nissan

The stiffer suspension, better throttle response, and tighter steering also hurt various car components. Constant use of Sport Mode increases the wear and tear of suspension components, tires (especially softer compound summer tires), brake disc and pads, and steering components.

As mentioned earlier, automakers have added failsafe measures to protect engine life; there are protocols to help the various car components take the wraith that comes with "Sport Mode". But comparing the same car being constantly used in "Normal" and "Sport" modes, there will be a difference in the amount of wear and tear of various components in the long run.

1 Con: Not Practical For Daily Drivability

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray red sports car
Chevrolet

The "Sport Mode" in performance cars elevates the driving experience to visceral. But one can only enjoy each of its advantages when on a racetrack. Public roads have speed limits restricting these Sport Mode-enabled cars from fully exploiting features like high RPM and Lunch Control. Also, Sport Mode is not a good feature for an efficiency-obsessed individual as it can reduce the MPG figures. This is why carmakers provide a toggle to switch between the various modes. Using the Sport Mode on the racetracks or long winding backroads is quite enjoyable. But it makes little to no sense in dense city roads.