ISG (stop/start) swan song?

[PMCErnie]

Funny, the ISG is a bit rough turning on in my new ‘26 GV70, but my ‘22 and ‘24 Santa Fe’s were smooth as silk operating ISG. This story says stop/start could be saving 5% on gas. I’d hate to lose that benefit. I’d sure hate to see these great ICE engines go away, although a hybrid Genesis option is likely just ahead. I loved my ‘25 Tucson Limited hybrid. Still missing its regenerative braking feature, but I had to give it up for the ‘26 GV70’s massage seats, 375 hp and EGOboost.

EPA chief Lee Zeldin to kill car feature ‘everyone hates’

“EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it,” Zeldin declared.

nypost.com

 

[PA28Guy]

I had the same problem about a year ago particularly during cold weather. The Genesis technician did a test on the battery and said that their specs state that if the battery charge level falls below 70% then the ISG system does not engage. Probably caused by short trips with mainly city driving. They suggested taking the vehicle for a longer drive in order to allow the battery to charge above the 70% operational threshold. Problem solved. Not sure if this is causing the problem with your GV70 but maybe worth a try.

 

[EdP]

Funny, the ISG is a bit rough turning on in my new ‘26 GV70, but my ‘22 and ‘24 Santa Fe’s were smooth as silk operating ISG. This story says stop/start could be saving 5% on gas. I’d hate to lose that benefit. I’d sure hate to see these great ICE engines go away, although a hybrid Genesis option is likely just ahead. I loved my ‘25 Tucson Limited hybrid. Still missing its regenerative braking feature, but I had to give it up for the ‘26 GV70’s massage seats, 375 hp and EGOboost.

EPA chief Lee Zeldin to kill car feature ‘everyone hates’

“EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it,” Zeldin declared.

nypost.com

Mixed feelings on it. We have some very long lights here so I can see where it saves gas and pollution when you have a big stack of cars sitting for the red.

I've only driven one car with it, an Audi A8L and it seem to work well for the short time I drove it. I'm going to spend the next week with my friend and may try it again. She shuts it off when she drives.

 

[2ndRspec]

Funny, the ISG is a bit rough turning on in my new ‘26 GV70, but my ‘22 and ‘24 Santa Fe’s were smooth as silk operating ISG. This story says stop/start could be saving 5% on gas. I’d hate to lose that benefit. I’d sure hate to see these great ICE engines go away, although a hybrid Genesis option is likely just ahead. I loved my ‘25 Tucson Limited hybrid. Still missing its regenerative braking feature, but I had to give it up for the ‘26 GV70’s massage seats, 375 hp and EGOboost.

EPA chief Lee Zeldin to kill car feature ‘everyone hates’

“EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it,” Zeldin declared.

nypost.com

Just a quick note. I dropped my wifes car off at the dealership and they gave me a curtesy car. A 2025 Mazda CX5 and I noticed it did not have start stop. I loved not having it.

 

[David-R]

I couldn’t care less about the fuel savings. It’s an idiotic feature that can’t be good for the car. I’m glad my G70 doesn’t have it.

 

[EdP]

I couldn’t care less about the fuel savings. It’s an idiotic feature that can’t be good for the car. I’m glad my G70 doesn’t have it.

The starter they use is 1-X better than the one in your car. Many other changes to lubrication and such too.

 

[David-R]

The starter they use is 1-X better than the one in your car. Many other changes to lubrication and such too.

So a bunch of added cost and complexity forced down the consumers throat for a feature that accomplishes nothing and that consumers overwhelmingly abhor. Government at its best.

 

[EdP]

So a bunch of added cost and complexity forced down the consumers throat for a feature that accomplishes nothing and that consumers overwhelmingly abhor. Government at its best.

It does accomplish something, you choose to ignore it. Your choice, don't let facts get in the way.

 

[PMCErnie]

I couldn’t care less about the fuel savings. It’s an idiotic feature that can’t be good for the car. I’m glad my G70 doesn’t have it.

Your G70 probably doesn’t have 375 hp like my street racer. I’ll take the 5% fuel savings. Also, it’s well known that the mechanical components of the ISG system have been upgraded to stand the strain.

 

[PMCErnie]

So a bunch of added cost and complexity forced down the consumers throat for a feature that accomplishes nothing and that consumers overwhelmingly abhor. Government at its best.

Accomplishes nothing? You didn’t read the article.

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[PMCErnie]

Mixed feelings on it. We have some very long lights here so I can see where it saves gas and pollution when you have a big stack of cars sitting for the red.

I've only driven one car with it, an Audi A8L and it seem to work well for the short time I drove it. I'm going to spend the next week with my friend and may try it again. She shuts it off when she drives.

Looking forward to your update, Ed. My ‘18 and ‘24 Santa Fe’s and my ‘22 Tucson ISG systems were smooth as silk when activating. My ‘26 3.5 GV70 not so much. I’ll give it some more break-in time before I complain about it to the service shop.

 

[David-R]

Your G70 probably doesn’t have 375 hp like my street racer. I’ll take the 5% fuel savings. Also, it’s well known that the mechanical components of the ISG system have been upgraded to stand the strain.

Right, it only has 300 hp and actually gets great mpg when I drive conservatively.

I understand the desire for 5% fuel savings but I also believe that car manufacturers today have a well documented history of incorporating poorly engineered and inadequately tested systems in their cars (a recent example is GM’s cylinder deactivation in some 8 cylinder pickup trucks). Carmakers are investing tens of billions in EV technology and shortchanging development of new technologies for ICE vehicles.

I’m glad my G70 doesn’t have the system and I’m glad that my Pathfinder has the deactivate button for it right next to the electronic parking brake switch.

 

[PMCErnie]

Just a quick note. I dropped my wifes car off at the dealership and they gave me a curtesy car. A 2025 Mazda CX5 and I noticed it did not have start stop. I loved not having it.

When I start up my ‘26 GV70 I push at least 5 buttons to set my ride preferences. Pushing the ISG button never bothered me, neither on my two previous Hyundai vehicles, nor my current Genesis.

 

[David-R]

When I start up my ‘26 GV70 I push at least 5 buttons to set my ride preferences. Pushing the ISG button never bothered me, neither on my two previous Hyundai vehicles, nor my current Genesis.

I’m pretty much the same with my 22 Pathfinder: e brake off, stop/start off, sport mode on.

 

[SirJangle]

Just a quick note. I dropped my wifes car off at the dealership and they gave me a curtesy car. A 2025 Mazda CX5 and I noticed it did not have start stop. I loved not having it.

Are you positive it didn't have it? Just leased my wife a 2025 CX-30 2.5T Premium Plus AWD. It has a form of it, cylinder deactivation. You can't turn it off, either.

 

[2ndRspec]

Are you positive it didn't have it? Just leased my wife a 2025 CX-30 2.5T Premium Plus AWD. It has a form of it, cylinder deactivation. You can't turn it off, either.

Yes Mazda offers some models with out Start Stop Technology

 

[VictoryGenesis]

Electric is always the way, realistically theorizing. An ICE vehicle is nothing but a central heated house with the possibility of century year old issues...

OTOH, an electric is far more reliable as long as it's a very well done car. The problem is, most EVs today are throwaway jokes, like those $5 Chinese wired mice they sell down supermarkets...

Come to think of it, would you prefer a house with central gas heating, or VRV? Easy as that. Look at this cheap bike:

 

[David-R]

Electric is always the way, realistically theorizing. An ICE vehicle is nothing but a central heated house with the possibility of century year old issues...

OTOH, an electric is far more reliable as long as it's a very well done car. The problem is, most EVs today are throwaway jokes, like those $5 Chinese wired mice they sell down supermarkets...

Come to think of it, would you prefer a house with central gas heating, or VRV? Easy as that. Look at this cheap bike:

Lol

 

[mikec]

My car is a 2021 GV80, old enough to have the ISG disable switch. For the most part I disable the ISG as traffic lights near me are generally short duration. Having the engine shut down at a stop sign, when I'm trying to make a right turn out of my neighborhood, just makes it slower to get up to speed on the arterial street. I doubt I'm saving much gas with the engine OFF for those 3 to 5 seconds... and some of that will be cancelled by extra alternator drag topping the battery off to counter the drain the starter motor just put on it. Last week I had a 2025 GV80 as a loaner and it did not have the ISG disable switch. I learned to keep just a small amount of pressure on the brake pedal - just enough to keep the vehicle from creeping forward yet not enough for ISG to engage. I did let ISG function on several drives, trying to get used to it. On one trip mom was in the passenger seat. When the engine re-started while waiting for a red light (because the air conditioner needed the engine) she asked if we'd just been hit in the rear bumper. Happened several times on that trip. 2021 and 2025 GV80s with the 2.5T engine shake a bit when ISG re-starts the engine... not a luxury feeling at all. Kinda feels like a rookie stick-shift driver nearly slightly lugging the engine trying to get moving from a dead stop!

I don't use the Auto Hold either as the delay between releasing the brake pedal and the vehicle actually moving is unnerving. I'm used to automatic transmission cars starting to move immediately. And Auto Hold makes it harder to creep forward a few feet when the line of cars in front of me tightens up a bit waiting for a light. A hold feature on stick-shift cars, like Subaru's "Hill Holder" feature, seems like it would be far more worthwhile. I drive stick-shifts too and don't have problems on hills though I bet I'd get used to and would appreciate Subaru's Hill Holder as it would make things a tad easier.

But some folks like ISG and/or Auto Hold. Good for them; if either gizmo makes them like their car even more that's great for them. Neither gizmo appeals to me.

mike c.

 

[EdP]

I don't use the Auto Hold either as the delay between releasing the brake pedal and the vehicle actually moving is unnerving. I'm used to automatic transmission cars starting to move immediately. And Auto Hold makes it harder to creep forward a few feet when the line of cars in front of me tightens up a bit waiting for a light. A hold feature on stick-shift cars, like Subaru's "Hill Holder" feature, seems like it would be far more worthwhile. I drive stick-shifts too and don't have problems on hills though I bet I'd get used to and would appreciate Subaru's Hill Holder as it would make things a tad easier.

But some folks like ISG and/or Auto Hold. Good for them; if either gizmo makes them like their car even more that's great for them. Neither gizmo appeals to me.

mike c.

I'm on my third car with it. I don't feel any delay at all. When traffic creeps up a few feet, I stay where I am. I don't see any advantage to move three feet, it won't get me home any faster.

The lights here are longer than most and not having to keep my foot on the pedal is a nice benefit.