'16 Sport Mode

[finch204]

While I haven't tested 0-30 mph yet with the sport mode, I have answered one of my own questions from earlier. Even if you are driving in sport mode with manual shift mode, if you go WOT and flip the "go fast" switch, the car will still downshift for you if it can still find a lower gear for better acceleration.

Does anyone have a new ultragauge? If so, maybe you can test the 0-30 and 0-60 mph runs as it now has a performance monitor.

 

[V8toilet]

The sport mode in the earlier models is better. Here is why:

In the earlier models to get the transmission to quickly downshift at any speed you just have to quickly stab the throttle, not floor it, just push it quicker to the same spot. Most drivers though just didn't have the capacity to understand this so they would only slowly depress the throttle, which didn't produce a downshift quickly and caused the engine to lug before it would downshift. I read many threads here where people complained about this. With the earlier models shifting algorithm you can make the transmission downshift whenever you need it too by just varying the speed of which you pushed the throttle with your right foot and you don't waste fuel with the engine racing in the 2500-3000 RPM range because of a button. The earlier models shifting logic is a truly fantastic algorithm and you basically have more control with less steps to take.

Fast forward to 2016 and now instead of just controlling the shifts with your right foot by varying the speed with which you depressed the throttle you now have an extra step to perform. To get the transmission into a sport mode algorithm you now have to push a button called "sport mode". Unlike the earlier models though where you could let the transmission up-shift by letting off the throttle, you now have to push this button again to get back into normal mode. This I assume allowed Mazda to program a more fuel economy friendly algorithm into normal mode thus allowing them to post a higher EPA fuel economy number on the 2016 models. So you now have more steps to take, less control, and a transmission that is more hesitant to up shift unless you push a button. To top this off the customer is fooled into thinking they have more control or this is better because they have this button on the console called "sport mode", which only allowed Mazda to make the normal mode more reluctant to up-shift in every day driving in the name of fuel economy.

This is smart for Mazda too because now someone cant complain about a doggy shifting pattern because they have this button that is clearly labelled "sport mode", which is for many so much more intuitive and easy to understand than what was available before. Just like the manual transmission is a thing of the past because it was more work to understand so is the previous generations better "sport mode" algorithm.

 

[CX-5um]

The sport mode in the earlier models is better. Here is why:

In the earlier models to get the transmission to quickly downshift at any speed you just have to quickly stab the throttle, not floor it, just push it quicker to the same spot. Most drivers though just didn't have the capacity to understand this so they would only slowly depress the throttle, which didn't produce a downshift quickly and caused the engine to lug before it would downshift. I read many threads here where people complained about this. With the earlier models shifting algorithm you can make the transmission downshift whenever you need it too by just varying the speed of which you pushed the throttle with your right foot and you don't waste fuel with the engine racing in the 2500-3000 RPM range because of a button. The earlier models shifting logic is a truly fantastic algorithm and you basically have more control with less steps to take.

Fast forward to 2016 and now instead of just controlling the shifts with your right foot by varying the speed with which you depressed the throttle you now have an extra step to perform. To get the transmission into a sport mode algorithm you now have to push a button called "sport mode". Unlike the earlier models though where you could let the transmission up-shift by letting off the throttle, you now have to push this button again to get back into normal mode. This I assume allowed Mazda to program a more fuel economy friendly algorithm into normal mode thus allowing them to post a higher EPA fuel economy number on the 2016 models. So you now have more steps to take, less control, and a transmission that is more hesitant to up shift unless you push a button. To top this off the customer is fooled into thinking they have more control or this is better because they have this button on the console called "sport mode", which only allowed Mazda to make the normal mode more reluctant to up-shift in every day driving in the name of fuel economy.

This is smart for Mazda too because now someone cant complain about a doggy shifting pattern because they have this button that is clearly labelled "sport mode", which is for many so much more intuitive and easy to understand than what was available before. Just like the manual transmission is a thing of the past because it was more work to understand so is the previous generations better "sport mode" algorithm.

I have to agree on your points. The non-sport mode equipped 2013 CX-5 with 2.0 auto seems a bit more peppy than my sport-mode equipped 2016 mazda6 2.5 auto while in non-sport mode. The 2013 allows you greater adjustment with regards to hypermilling driving or instant power all in how you press the pedal as you indicated in greater detail.

The 2016 mazda6 be default has a more pronounced delay in power using the jab step method (not floor it). The stock ecu tuning is heavily biased towards fuel economy. I see this as a major benefit during my city driving among lights and cars. When sport mode is engaged the jab step is still clearly present on first gear. Every other gear thereafter seems to be really quick with regards to power delivery when jabbing the pedal. I'm happy to report that mashing the pedal to the floor in sport mode in 3rd gear really wakes up the 2.5 engine.

 

[yrwei52]

The sport mode in the earlier models is better. Here is why: ...

Fast forward to 2016 and now instead of just controlling the shifts with your right foot by varying the speed with which you depressed the throttle you now have an extra step to perform. To get the transmission into a sport mode algorithm you now have to push a button called "sport mode". Unlike the earlier models though where you could let the transmission up-shift by letting off the throttle, you now have to push this button again to get back into normal mode. This I assume allowed Mazda to program a more fuel economy friendly algorithm into normal mode thus allowing them to post a higher EPA fuel economy number on the 2016 models. ...

Never thought about this. I always believed '16 Sport Mode is just delaying the shift hence makes you accelerating faster. But you raised an excellent point and I believe, like you said, that's why '16's CX-5 2.5L FWD which is the only engine coming with an AT with a Sport switch now, is getting 1 mile mpg improvement on EPA rating than earlier model, from 25/32 to 26/33 mpg city/highway. I guess CVT does have advantage which can be easily programmed for better EPA fuel economy under EPA controlled testing environment like Honda CR-V did as its '15 model with new Earth Dreams direct injection 2.4L and CVT gets 27/34 mpg city/highway EPA rating, a big jump from 23/31 for '14.

 

[Srad600]

I have to agree on your points. The non-sport mode equipped 2013 CX-5 with 2.0 auto seems a bit more peppy than my sport-mode equipped 2016 mazda6 2.5 auto while in non-sport mode. The 2013 allows you greater adjustment with regards to hypermilling driving or instant power all in how you press the pedal as you indicated in greater detail.

Do the pre-'16 model auto's also have the "manual" setting (I haven't been inside one personally)? For me, the manual mode is what makes this transmission fun. Manual + sport is just a bonus...

 

[yrwei52]

Do the pre-'16 model auto's also have the "manual" setting...

Yes.

 

[Dr Kev]

I'm seeing a lot of pre-2016 folks trying to justify their purchases.

 

[Rarebit]

I'm seeing a lot of pre 16 model owners who know how controllable their ATs are with a subtle right foot.

 

[inlinev]

The sport mode in the earlier models is better. Here is why:

In the earlier models to get the transmission to quickly downshift at any speed you just have to quickly stab the throttle, not floor it, just push it quicker to the same spot. Most drivers though just didn't have the capacity to understand this so they would only slowly depress the throttle, which didn't produce a downshift quickly and caused the engine to lug before it would downshift. I read many threads here where people complained about this. With the earlier models shifting algorithm you can make the transmission downshift whenever you need it too by just varying the speed of which you pushed the throttle with your right foot and you don't waste fuel with the engine racing in the 2500-3000 RPM range because of a button. The earlier models shifting logic is a truly fantastic algorithm and you basically have more control with less steps to take.

Fast forward to 2016 and now instead of just controlling the shifts with your right foot by varying the speed with which you depressed the throttle you now have an extra step to perform. To get the transmission into a sport mode algorithm you now have to push a button called "sport mode". Unlike the earlier models though where you could let the transmission up-shift by letting off the throttle, you now have to push this button again to get back into normal mode. This I assume allowed Mazda to program a more fuel economy friendly algorithm into normal mode thus allowing them to post a higher EPA fuel economy number on the 2016 models. So you now have more steps to take, less control, and a transmission that is more hesitant to up shift unless you push a button. To top this off the customer is fooled into thinking they have more control or this is better because they have this button on the console called "sport mode", which only allowed Mazda to make the normal mode more reluctant to up-shift in every day driving in the name of fuel economy.

This is smart for Mazda too because now someone cant complain about a doggy shifting pattern because they have this button that is clearly labelled "sport mode", which is for many so much more intuitive and easy to understand than what was available before. Just like the manual transmission is a thing of the past because it was more work to understand so is the previous generations better "sport mode" algorithm.

I think there is some misconception as to what "sport" mode really does. It does not unleash more power, or cause the car to go into beast mode. It does not change pedal response, steering ratio, suspension, etc. All it does is, force the car to hold gears longer, for too long actually. Car and driver explained it best when they said it was like going from another manufacturers "eco" mode to "sport plus".

That being said, the transmission responds just fine to accelerator pedal input. If you manipulate the pedal gingerly, the vehicle will shift up as soon as it can. But if you push the pedal a bit more rapidly and increase travel (note, no need to mash it) the transmission responds just fine by downshifting. If you hold the accelerator pedal down for an extended duration, the car doesn't shift at its normal shift points either, all while "sport" mode is OFF. You are correct in assuming that the ECU is geared for fuel economy, because driven gingerly, the transmission does not down shift until the 11th hour. However, this is not the only way Mazda improved fuel economy by 1 mpg on the highway, it was mainly done by reducing aerodynamic drag by way of dampers. At a certain highway speed, sport mode is automatically turned off.

The vehicle does not accelerate any faster when in sport mode (see you tube). By holding revs at 3000+ RPM, the engine is running more within its power band, whether you drive gingerly or not. That's it.

See post 57 for an additional edit.

 

[i64X]

Just like the manual transmission is a thing of the past because it was more work to understand

Manual transmissions are alive and well in countries where people don't find it necessary to read the paper, put on makeup, eat a burger, drink a 64oz Mountain Dew, text their BFF, and check Facebook while they're supposed to be driving.

Manual transmissions are dead in some demographics because people are lazy and would rather be doing anything else other than actually driving a car.

 

[inlinev]

It's easier with an automatic in stop and go traffic. They used to make cars without power steering, so what, people are lazy for not getting a workout when steering now?

 

[V8toilet]

Manual transmissions are alive and well in countries where people don't find it necessary to read the paper, put on makeup, eat a burger, drink a 64oz Mountain Dew, text their BFF, and check Facebook while they're supposed to be driving.

Manual transmissions are dead in some demographics because people are lazy and would rather be doing anything else other than actually driving a car.

Agreed although it may also have something to do with the fact that automatic transmissions are so good now that they outperform their manual counterparts in both acceleration and fuel economy in some cases. Also rush hour traffic today is for millions of Americans a frustrating ordeal and I know first hand that with a manual its not fun when your highway is a parking lot. You do have a very valid point though that Americans just do not want them like they used to. Manufacturers, I assume, don't make them in their higher trims as much anymore because less people buy them now too.

I'm a manual guy too and I thought for sure I was going to buy a manual CX5 until I drove one. The transmission was great itself but acceleration felt so gutless compared to the auto (with the 2.0 too) and the noise, which was already high was even higher in the manual. My first CX5 was a 2.0 auto sport and in most situations I had no problems with acceleration. Maybe I'm just older now but I really love this automatic coupled to my 2.5 liter engine. I feel it gives me 90% of what I like about the manuals direct feel and control with none of the drawbacks of at least the base model anyway.

I think if I ever get a manual again it will be only on a sports car or motorcycle. Maybe the manual CX5 is faster if you rev it up and drop the clutch but in normal everyday driving it felt anemic to me.

 

[V8toilet]

It's easier with an automatic in stop and go traffic. They used to make cars without power steering, so what, people are lazy for not getting a workout when steering now?

I had an 88 Pontiac Fiero V6 with a manual and manual steering and it had the best steering feel as I remember.

 

[Srad600]

I think there is some misconception as to what "sport" mode really does. It does not unleash more power, or cause the car to go into beast mode. It does not change pedal response, steering ratio, suspension, etc. All it does is, force the car to hold gears longer, for too long actually. Car and driver explained it best when they said it was like going from another manufacturers "eco" mode to "sport plus".

I disagree with this. I've experimented and found if I:
1) Have the car in "D" and hold a specific speed/ flick it into sport mode - the car will shift down and accelerate a bit.
2) Have the car in "M" and hold a specific speed/ flick it into sport mode - the car will maintain the same gear and still accelerate slightly.
*by accelerate a bit, I don't mean the car takes off down the road, but it just lurches forward like it now wants to go...*

This makes me believe that it's more than just gearing, otherwise the car would not accelerate going from M to M+Sport. Try it...

Otherwise I agree with your other points. A sharp push of the throttle will induce a downshift in "D" and "D+Sport", just like guys are describing with the pre-'16's

 

[inlinev]

I had an 88 Pontiac Fiero V6 with a manual and manual steering and it had the best steering feel as I remember.

No doubt it was great. Just don't see how the alternate is as a result of laziness.

 

[mazdadude]

You should try this with the vehicle set to cruise control and turn on sport mode and see if the vehicle gains speed. Can you ensure that you aren't depressing the pedal by the slightest, causing the vehicle to gain speed? Car and driver indicated that the 2016 doesn't drive different, which is where I based a lot of my previous info from.

From what I understand, the "SPORT/ECONO" mode affects 2 things on the CX-5.

1. It changes the transmission shift points in relation to engine RPM.
2. It changes the ACCELERATOR PEDAL ratios in relation to pedal movement.

If you drive along and change modes, you are also changing the engine throttle opening% without changing the ACCELERATOR pedal.

 

[inlinev]

Ok, I stand corrected. Referred back to the manual and it suggests what others have been saying

On page 4-86:

"When sport mode is activated, vehicles response against accelerator operation is enhanced."
"Depending on the driving conditions when sport mode is selected, the vehicle may perform shift down or slightly accelerate."

So I'll go by this from now.

 

[i64X]

They used to make cars without power steering, so what, people are lazy for not getting a workout when steering now?

Power steering (hydraulic or electric) vs mechanical steering is apples to oranges comparison to manual vs automatic transmission.

With the former, you're still doing the same thing, it's just easier. You're turning a wheel left to go left, and right to go right. With the later, there is one less limb involved in driving the car (possibly two - so up to half of your body), and as a result you don't have to pay near as much attention to the road.

Plus, from an enthusiasts' perspective, it's a lot more fun rowing your own and DRIVING a car vs just riding in a car and letting it do all of the work for you. I could care less if the auto trans gets me 2 more mpg. It does that by forcing itself in to being in a MUCH higher gear than it needs to be at all times. I can do that myself in a car with a manual. I'd have no problem driving down a 25 mph street in my MX5 and putting it in to 5th or 6th. The difference between me and the auto trans, is that I won't do that... because it's stupid and the car bogs like crazy. My CX5 has no problem doing it every day though.

If you live in an area where you're constantly in stop and go traffic, then I agree... I would hate a manual there too. I would also not own a motorcycle there (one of my other passions), because what's the point. At the same time I'd also think about not owning a car anyway, since cars are meant to be driven and not sat in while inhaling exhaust fumes for 2 hours a day. The other option - and the one I took - is to move away from a nightmare like that to a place that's open enough to where I can actually experience the joys of motoring.

In one generation I'm sure manual transmissions will be gone, and that's sad... and yes it is because people are lazy. Most parents can't be bothered to teach their kids the joys of driving a manual vehicle, and most kids can't be bothered to learn. I saw a story on the new a few weeks back that was talking about how a lot of teenagers now could give two craps about driving altogether, and most of them don't even bother getting a drivers license. That's insane to me. When I was in school, everyone was excited as Hell to get their ticket to freedom.

 

[njjtr1]

I am a new owner- 2 weeks old- LOVE my 2016 Grand Touring so far. I used sport mode today commuting to and from NYC from NJ. I drive ..uh...shall we say.. uh... I like to keep moving.. It was awesome ! I came from a 240HP turbo car and I was a bit disappointed by the regular mode. I tried SPORT mode for merging onto very short on ramps and lots of very quick passing on busy roads and racing up a couple of huge hills. I like it. For regular around town driving and on the highway at a steady speed- not needed... but for quick light touch on the pedal and get up to speed quickly- it does make a significant difference. You can also floor it in regular mode and get close.. but it DOES feel better in Sport mode.

 

[blackcx5]

I've noticed that Sport Mode will not engage if you try to activate the switch while under hard acceleration. "Sport" will flash above the drive mode "D" on the left (RPM) dial but it will not go into Sport mode. ??? Not sure what the safety is for here but be advised it seems as though you can only go into sport below a certain rpm.

this is correct, just happened to me climbing an incline under hard acceleration, the sport mode will not engage, and you will see "Sport" indicator light flashing,

as soon as I reached level ground and reduced RPM, I hit the Sport switch and it engaged as normal, and stayed engaged even under hard acceleration or inclines.