The invention relates to an adaptive powertrain control for realizing an enhanced or optimized performance of one or more vehicle features. By monitoring vehicle performance, dynamic adjustments can be made to various vehicle operation parameters to enhance a feature of vehicle performance, such as fuel economy. A method (40) of controlling a vehicle powertrain includes monitoring vehicle performance (42) and determining whether at least one of a plurality of vehicle performance features may be enhanced (44). A plurality of operation parameters that are associated with the powertrain are identified that have a relationship to the at least one performance feature (46). An adjustment is automatically made to at least one of the identified operation parameters to thereby enhance at least one aspect of the at least one performance feature (48). The performance feature may comprise fuel economy or urea consumption.