What is the ECO mode in Range Rover Sport?
2 Answers
The ECO in Range Rover refers to the vehicle's economical driving mode function. ECO is an English abbreviation, formed by the combination of Ecology (environmental protection), Conservation (energy saving), and Optimization (power). The Eco mode is further divided into active eco driving mode and non-active eco driving mode. When the eco indicator light on the dashboard illuminates, it indicates that the vehicle's economical mode has been activated. Eco mode is categorized into active and non-active types, with the difference being that the active type has its own dedicated button, allowing the driver to choose whether to activate it. When the driver presses the eco mode switch, the dashboard indicator light immediately illuminates, and the vehicle automatically begins adjusting settings such as throttle opening, transmission shift logic, and air conditioning output power. Non-active eco mode does not have a dedicated button; when the dashboard eco indicator light illuminates, it serves merely as a reminder function. The eco mode automatically evaluates your driving behavior. If your current driving operation achieves the optimal fuel supply, the dashboard will simultaneously display the eco indicator light. Most vehicles employ the active eco driving mode, meaning they have their own switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, we can activate the eco mode. However, it is unnecessary to enable eco mode when driving at speeds exceeding 120 km/h, during idle parking, in N/P gear, or in manual mode, especially when climbing hills. In such scenarios, activating eco mode would not only fail to demonstrate its fuel-saving characteristics but also impact the vehicle's power performance. Additionally, the eco mode typically becomes ineffective under the following circumstances: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the vehicle prioritizes speed, causing the eco mode to automatically deactivate. During idle parking or when in N/P gear or manual mode, the eco mode may also become ineffective. When a high torque output is required, such as when climbing a hill, the engine control unit prioritizes ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and the eco mode will not operate under these conditions.
The Eco mode in the Range Rover Sport is essentially its fuel-efficient driving mode. I use it most often in city traffic jams—it makes the ride noticeably smoother, with less aggressive throttle response, and saves a good amount of fuel. The Eco mode adjusts the transmission to shift earlier, limits engine output, and sometimes even tweaks the AC temperature to reduce power consumption. This can cut fuel usage by around 10% to 15%, making it ideal for daily commutes or stop-and-go traffic. Compared to the punchy acceleration of Sport mode, Eco prioritizes comfort, but don’t mistake it for being sluggish—it still delivers ample power during highway cruising. On long drives, activating Eco mode feels like having a money-saving assistant onboard. It’s simple to operate—just press the button on the steering wheel or dashboard. For context, other modes like Comfort strike a balance between comfort and performance for most road conditions, while Eco focuses squarely on fuel economy. As an average owner, my priority is a comfortable ride that’s easy on the wallet.
