A method for operating a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a drive unit which is designed in such a way that, in case of acceleration, the motor vehicle is accelerated using a continuous torque output. The drive unit is operable in a first and second operating mode. In the first operating mode the motor vehicle is accelerated without interruption by the continuous torque output, and in the second operating mode the continuous torque output is changed over to a stepped torque output, so that in the second operating mode the motor vehicle is accelerated subject to interruption by the stepped torque output.