Audi Drive Select: Where to Use Each Mode
Choosing the right driving mode can completely change how your Audi feels on the road. With Audi Drive Select, available across much of the 2025 lineup, you can tailor your vehicle’s performance to match traffic, weather, or your mood.
From relaxing commutes in Audi Comfort Mode to sharper handling in Audi Dynamic Mode, this system gives you control over throttle response, steering weight, suspension feel, and transmission behavior.
Whether you drive a 2025 Audi Q5 or you’re exploring Audi A5 features, knowing when to switch between Audi driving modes can make every trip smoother, more fun, and more efficient.
What Is Audi Drive Select?
Audi Drive Select is a built-in system that lets you choose different driving modes to adjust how your Audi responds on the road. With a quick selection on your screen or console, your Audi can shift from a calm daily driver to a sportier performer in seconds.
Depending on your model, Drive Select can change:
Throttle response (how quickly the car accelerates)
Steering feel (light vs. heavy steering weight)
Transmission shifting (early shifts vs. higher RPM)
Suspension firmness (if equipped with adaptive suspension)
In most 2025 Audi models, the main Drive Select modes include:
Comfort
Dynamic
Auto
Efficiency
Offroad (SUVs only, like the Q5 and Q7)
These modes appear on the center display or in the Audi Virtual Cockpit, and you can switch anytime during your drive.
Comfort Mode: Best for City Driving and Heavy Traffic
Audi Comfort Mode is designed for a smoother, calmer driving feel. Steering becomes lighter, throttle response softens, and the ride feels more relaxed, especially in models equipped with adaptive suspension.
When to Use Comfort Mode
Comfort mode is ideal when you want less stress behind the wheel, including:
Stop-and-go traffic
Tight city streets
Rougher pavement where you want a softer ride
Longer commutes where smoothness matters most
When to Avoid Comfort Mode
Comfort mode can feel a little too gentle when you need fast response, like:
Quick merges
Passing on short on-ramps
Situations where you want sharper acceleration
If you find your Audi feels “slower” than expected in Comfort, that’s normal. It’s tuned for ease, not urgency.
Dynamic Mode: Best for Sportier Handling and Faster Response
Audi Dynamic Mode is where your Audi starts to feel sharper and more performance-focused. Throttle response becomes quicker, steering weight increases, and the transmission holds gears longer for stronger acceleration.
What Changes in Dynamic Mode
Dynamic mode often delivers:
Faster throttle response
More aggressive transmission behavior
Heavier steering feel
Firmer suspension (if equipped)
When to Use Dynamic Mode
Dynamic is a great choice when you want a more engaged drive, including:
Highway merging and passing
Open roads where you want quicker response
Weekend drives where handling feel matters more
When to Avoid Dynamic Mode
Dynamic mode may not be the best choice when:
Roads are full of potholes or broken pavement
You want maximum fuel efficiency
You prefer a softer ride
Because Dynamic keeps the car more “awake,” it can also use more fuel than Auto or Efficiency mode.
Auto Mode: The Best Everyday Driving Mode for Most Drivers
Auto Mode is designed to balance Comfort and Dynamic based on how you drive. If you accelerate gently, it behaves more like Comfort. If you drive more aggressively, it shifts closer to Dynamic.
When to Use Auto Mode
Auto mode is perfect when your driving conditions change throughout the day, such as:
Mixed city and highway commuting
Busy roads with unpredictable traffic flow
Daily driving when you want the car to “think for you”
If you’re not sure which mode to pick, Auto is often the best default.
Efficiency Mode: Best for Fuel Savings and Longer Trips
Audi Efficiency Mode is designed to help maximize fuel economy. It reduces throttle sensitivity and encourages earlier gear shifts, helping your Audi cruise with less effort.
When to Use Efficiency Mode
Efficiency mode works best when:
You’re on longer highway drives
You’re commuting and want better mileage
You don’t need quick acceleration
When to Avoid Efficiency Mode
Efficiency mode can feel sluggish when you need power fast, including:
Merging onto highways
Passing at higher speeds
Driving situations where you want immediate response
Efficiency mode is great for saving fuel, but it’s not designed for sporty driving.
Offroad Mode: For Extra Traction (SUVs Only)
Offroad Mode is available on Audi SUVs like the Audi Q5 Drive Select system (and models like the Q7). It’s built for rougher surfaces where traction and control matter most.
Offroad mode can adjust:
Traction control behavior
Throttle response for smoother low-speed control
Suspension height or tuning (if equipped)
When to Use Offroad Mode
Offroad mode is helpful when driving on:
Gravel or uneven roads
Snowy driveways
Light trail conditions (not extreme off-roading)
When to Avoid Offroad Mode
Offroad mode isn’t meant for normal pavement driving, and it’s not necessary for daily commuting. Use it only when road conditions call for extra grip and stability.
How to Switch Audi Drive Select Modes
Switching between Audi driving modes is quick and easy once you know where to look. Depending on your model, you can change modes using:
The Drive Select button on the center console
The touchscreen menu under “Car” settings
Audi Virtual Cockpit controls (if equipped)
Each change is instant and clearly displayed so you always know what mode you’re in.
Bonus Tip: Try Individual Mode (If Equipped)
Many 2025 Audi models also include Individual Mode, which lets you mix and match settings.
For example, you can combine:
Dynamic engine response + Comfort suspension
Comfort steering + Auto transmission behavior
This is a great option if you want your Audi to feel sportier without making the ride too firm.
The Takeaway: Which Audi Drive Select Mode Should You Use?
Audi Drive Select gives you multiple driving personalities in one vehicle. Once you start switching modes intentionally, your Audi can feel more tailored to your day instead of always staying in one default setting.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
Comfort Mode: best for traffic and relaxed driving
Dynamic Mode: best for sharper response and sporty feel
Auto Mode: best all-around daily setting
Efficiency Mode: best for fuel savings and road trips
Offroad Mode: best for snow, gravel, and uneven surfaces (SUVs only)
Want to Experience Audi Drive Select in Person?
The best way to understand Audi Drive Select is to feel the difference yourself. If you want to test how Comfort, Dynamic, Auto, and Efficiency modes respond in real time, visit Audi Great Neck and take a 2025 Audi for a drive.