seanlin

Can anyone explain the different between S1 to S5 mode?

vlad_a

Here's a great demo on how Toyota Power Split Device works. Although it is similar to a CVT, it is not exactly the same.
S1 through Sx modes lock MG1 motor at a fixed rotational speed. This causes Both MG2 and the Engine speed up as the vehicle speed increases (acceleration event), similar to a traditional automatic. "Downshifting" from Sx to S(x-1) will decrease rotational speed of the MG1 motor, causing both MG2 and the Engine to spin faster, again, simulating a traditional gearbox.

MellonC00

was the sport mode option for 2012 or 2011 or was it not available at all until the 2013 model year?

DunWkg

Page 177 of the 2010 manual describes "S" modes 1 - 6.
(There were two production runs in the 2010 model, I believe the manual is different for the two production runs. So there maybe different page numbers)

ShermanMR2

it was not available until the 2013 model.

Aptosuser

They're virtual gears, from S1 which is like first gear in a manual transmission, up to S5, which I guess would be similar to an overdrive gear. I use S4 and sometimes S3 when I'm descending a serious grade to slow the car instead of using the brakes. This also charges the battery.

You can also use the S mode to boost power and acceleration, the same way you would downshift with a standard manual transmission. I experimented with this today and the RX really moves out smartly when you drop from, say D to S3, which would be like going from 4th or 5th to 3rd gear in a standard manual transmission. However that also drops the car out of eco mode and you burn more gas, but sometimes you have to.

Feb. 17 -- I realized that I misspoke above. When you "downshift" to boost power in S mode, it doesn't drop the car out of eco mode, but the eco light to the right of the gauges goes dark because you're pushing the big needle out of the eco zone and into the power zone. The car is still in eco mode however.