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PHEV driving modes

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 5:43 pm
by Rassilon
Hi,

I have just taken delivery of my 2020 Niro PHEV, using the firing mode switch by the gearstick I can change between EV / HEV / Auto. EV is obvious, but I can’t find definitions to explain then difference between HEV and Auto.

Does anyone know?

Thanks
Lewis

Re: PHEV driving modes

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:33 pm
by AndyD
Hi Rassilon, have a read of the recent thread in the Technical Section on the driving modes. The early pages in the full owner manual also help to explain how the car operates in each mode. Also, if you have the 'energy flow' graphic on screen as you drive you will see how the car transitions between modes, depending on your driving and road conditions.
AndyD.

Re: PHEV driving modes

Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 2:36 pm
by davethesteam
I have had our 68/nov2018 Niro PHEV since August 2019 and am very pleased with it. However, as many have said before, they are not Motorway cruisers. Due to family commitments I now find the need to do more m/way miles than first thought
I have found a way to improve m/way mpg. Set off with a fully charged battery and run urban on electric (for me that's about 12 miles) Then switch to HEV, engage cruise control and then engage Sport mode. When I first did this, I was surprised to find the car was only in 5th gear. I engaged 6th (which is obviously an 'overdrive). The engine quietened down and I found that 'self charge' rate went up astronomically. to the point the traction battery very quickly recharged.
I did 220 miles this way (mostly m/way and fast A road), engaged electric again when back on urban roads and achieved an mpg just under 70mpg for the day I find that very credible

Re: PHEV driving modes

Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 4:14 pm
by AlanW55
What size wheels on your PHEV?. I can get 61-63mpg on 18" wheels in my HEV on a 70mph motorway run, but believe the 16" wheels with narrower tyres give around an extra 10-15% better mpg. Selecting Sport in my HEV at 70mph on a level road or downhill usually shows 6th gear, but when climbing uphill, selecting Sport shows 5th.

Re: PHEV driving modes

Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 4:21 pm
by AlanW55
Lewis, back to your original question, EV forces electric only, HEV forces mainly engine assisted occasionally by electric, AUTO lets the car select whichever mode is appropriate for the driving conditions based on the mysterious KIA algorithm!

Re: PHEV driving modes

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 10:06 pm
by davethesteam
Also, having aircon on absolutely destroys mpg - I reckon it reduces my up to 80mpg to just over 60.