I recently bought a 2024 Sonata and am getting used to all the buttons and features. I’ve noticed that in Sport mode, the car seems to apply a level of regenerative braking as soon as I lift my foot off the pedal, regardless of the regen level I had set before switching to Sport mode. Since the paddles in Sport mode control the transmission rather than regenerative braking, I’m wondering if Hyundai has programmed a default minimum braking level for Sport mode. I’ve observed this behavior even in MyDrive when the powertrain is set to Sport. It’s not a dealbreaker since the acceleration in Eco mode is sufficient, but I’m curious if there’s a way to adjust or minimize regen braking in Sport mode, especially for highway merges where I’d prefer minimal deceleration when easing off the accelerator. I checked the owner’s manual but couldn’t find any information about regen levels in Sport mode.
You can choose which Hyundai regenerative braking level you prefer by using paddles mounted on the steering wheel. You also may have the option to choose the level by using the “Eco Vehicle” tab on the vehicle’s infotainment touchscreen.
Regenerative braking is an in-built part of a hybrid electric car’s operation. All the driver needs to do is engage the regenerative braking system and take their feet off the accelerator and the hybrid system will handle the rest. In a hybrid electric car, the electric motor drives the wheels and powers the car.
With regenerative braking, the energy from your spinning wheels is used to reverse the direction of electricity - from the electric motor(s) to the battery. All you have to do is remove your foot from the accelerator or, in some cases, press the brake pedal to activate regenerative braking.