Porsche Driving Mode Selector Overview

Modern vehicles have the ability to give you an incredible amount of control over how they behave, with adjustable settings for things like throttle response, suspension firmness, and even launch control. To make these settings easier to navigate, manufacturers will group them together in different modes suited to different conditions. These modes aren’t always as easy to understand as we would hope though, with some brands changing what’s offered or just the names of the modes from one model to another. Porsche driving modes are a lot easier to understand than most, but it’s still helpful to have a guide.

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Basic Porsche Driving Modes

The following are the basic Porsche driving modes, the ones found on nearly all models and trims. Due to the particulars of electric and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, Porsche vehicles equipped with these will have other modes that are specific to them, but we’ll cover those in the next section.

Normal – For everyday driving in the city and highway cruising. Normal lets you experience the best possible driving experience when circumstances aren’t ideal for more spirited driving.
Sport – When you’ve got a long stretch of empty, twisting road ahead of you, and you really want to take advantage of the fact that you own a Porsche vehicle, Sport will stiffen the suspension, sharpen up the throttle response, and deliver quicker shifts for the PDK transmission. For E-Hybrid models, it will also set the gasoline engine and electric motor to deliver maximum power at the same time. It also allows you to activate launch control.
Sport+ – As the name implies, Sport+ is everything that Sport mode is, but turned up higher. This mode is intended for track use, where you can be reasonably assured that you won’t accidentally encounter potholes or other unexpected obstacles.
Individual – Though not available for every trim, we’re still counting Individual as a basic mode, since it is available on some form of every model. This is a custom mode, which lets you specify where you want each of the many settings, and then save it for later use. If you want things to be just so, this is the mode for you.

Specialized Porsche Driving Modes

There are different reasons why different vehicles might offer additional or different driving modes. Most of the modes you’ll see here exist to get you the most out of the Porsche electrified drivetrains, but there are also a couple that are just made for a specific model to tackle a specific situation.

Wet – Specific to select 911 models, Wet mode prioritizes the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and Porsche Traction Management (PTM) systems to keep the vehicle from hydroplaning and ensure maximum traction and stability.
E-Power – This mode is specific to E-Hybrid models. E-Power means you’re traveling under electric power exclusively, with the gasoline engine shut off.
Hybrid Auto – This mode is also for E-Hybrid models, and it lets the vehicle switch between gasoline power, electric power, or both, depending on the situation. The system will prioritize efficiency when coasting or in stop-and-go traffic, but will turn the power all of the way up when you put the pedal down.
Range – This mode is specific to electric models, and as the name suggests, it is intended to deliver maximum range.
Gravel – Gravel mode is specific to just the Taycan Cross Turismo models. The Cross Turismo form of the Taycan is made to handle light offroading, and this mode is offered to facilitate that.

The majority of the modes on electric Porsche models are the same as the ones found in gasoline-powered vehicles, but since the electric drivetrain executes these modes in slightly different ways with an electric drivetrain, Porsche put out this video to explain the details a little bit better: