Yahoo Autos Every Hands-Free Driving System Available in 2024
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We like driving—but we don't particularly enjoy driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic or on long highway slogs. Hands-free systems are here to help, and we're here to help you understand their capabilities and limitations.
We've sifted through the marketing fluff and technical info to bring you details on all hands-free driving systems you can get on a new car right now. The basics are generally the same: the driver can remove their hands from the steering wheel only on specific, mapped roads under certain circumstances, and they have to pay attention and be ready to take back control; a camera hidden somewhere pays attention to them and is supposed to identify distraction, which is followed by some sort of nagging.
Anything interesting or out of the ordinary is noted below, along with which models offer the tech, costs for software and hardware, and where a particular system can be used. We've also linked to maps showing system coverage where available.
The hands-free landscape is changing rapidly, with new players joining the fray and the incumbents adding features and roads through over-the-air updates all the time. In addition to the seven listed here that are available now, there are systems in development from Lucid (Highway Pilot) and Rivian (Enhanced Highway Assist). Plus, there's whatever Tesla's endgame for Full Self-Driving happens to be to finally make it a hands-free system. We'll update this story periodically when new info becomes available.
Some definitions before we dive in:
• SAE level: A number from 0 to 5 that describes a vehicle's automated capabilities; Level 2 requires the driver's constant attention while Level 3 is the first category where the vehicle is driving itself and the driver is free to look away and not pay attention unless and until the system tells the driver to retake control.
• Awareness view: A depiction, usually on a digital gauge display, that gives an idea of what the system sees, rendered in ghostlike vehicles.
• Automated lane change: The vehicle will decide when it makes sense to move over a lane to pass a slower vehicle (always on the left!) and then move back to the right.
• On-demand lane change: Like the above, but requires consent from the driver.
BMW: Highway Assistant
SAE Level: 2
Standard on: XM, Alpina XB7
Available on: 5-series, 7-series, i5, i7, iX, X5, X6, X7
Maximum speed: 85 mph
Sensors used: front camera, full-range and short-range radar
Driver monitoring: camera in the instrument cluster
Where it works:
130,000 miles of divided highways in the U.S.
divided highways in Canada
not available in Alaska, Hawaii, New York, or Puerto Rico
Notable features: awareness view, on-demand lane change: Active Lane Change with eye activation lets the driver confirm a suggested lane change by looking in the direction of the lane; can also initiate a lane change with the turn-signal stalk
Hardware pricing: included as part of the Driving Assistance Professional package
Service pricing: eight years of service included, then renewable for an annual fee
What's next: BMW has a Level 3 system called Personal Pilot L3, which is only available in Germany. The company is not looking to bring it to the U.S. right now due to regulations that would limit its availability.
Ford, Lincoln: BlueCruise
SAE Level: 2
Available on: Ford F-150, Ford F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, Expedition, Explorer; Lincoln Aviator, Corsair, Nautilus, Navigator
Maximum speed: 80 mph
Sensors used: cameras, radar
Driver monitoring: infrared camera on the steering column or above the in-vehicle screen and on the door pillar to the left of the steering wheel
Where it works: 130,000 miles of divided highways in the U.S. and Canada (map)
Notable features: on-demand lane change: Lane Change Assist (version 1.2+) can suggest a lane change and will perform one once the driver hits the turn-signal stalk and it's safe to move over
Hardware pricing: no extra cost; included on certain trims
Service pricing: for 2025 Ford models, a one-year plan is either included or available for $495 when the vehicle is ordered. A one-time purchase for $2495 is offered on all new Ford vehicles. A 90-day trial is included if no plan is purchased, and then it's $495 per year or $49.99 per month. For Lincoln, four years included as standard on most trims.
What's next: Ford is working on Level 3 automation through its Latitude AI subsidiary.
GM (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC): Super Cruise
SAE Level: 2
Available on: Buick Enclave; Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Lyriq, XT6; Chevrolet Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Silverado, Silverado EV, Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse; GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra, Sierra EV, Yukon, Yukon XL
Coming on: Escalade IQ, Optiq
Previously available on: Cadillac CT6; Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Maximum speed: 85 mph
Sensors used: cameras, infrared LEDs, radar (plus previously mapped lidar data that's stored onboard the vehicle)
Driver monitoring: camera and infrared LEDs on the steering column
Where it works: 400,000+ miles of divided and non-divided highways in the U.S. and Canada (map)
Notable features: automatic lane change, on-demand lane change, trailering; the only system that works on non-divided highways
Hardware pricing: Cadillac: $2500; Buick, $3255–$3730; Chevrolet, GMC: $2200
Service pricing: three years included, $25 per month or $250 per year thereafter
What's next: GM had announced that the next iteration of its system would be called Ultra Cruise and launch on the Cadillac Celestiq using more than 20 sensors, including lidar. The company has since said future enhancements would remain under the Super Cruise brand.
Jeep, Ram: Hands-Free Active Driving Assist
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SAE Level: 2
Available on: Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Ram 1500
Maximum speed: 90 mph
Sensors used: cameras, radar
Driver monitoring: camera on the steering column, steering-wheel sensors
Where it works: 125,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada
Notable features: on-demand lane change, maps
Hardware pricing: Ram 1500: available on certain trims; Jeep Grand Cherokee L: $2995 option on Overland 4x4 and Summit 4x4
Service pricing: three years included, after which a plan is required
Mercedes-Benz: Drive Pilot
SAE Level: 3
Available on: EQS sedan, S-class sold in California or Nevada
Maximum speed: 40 mph
Sensors used: cameras, radar, lidar, ultrasonic, road moisture
Driver monitoring: camera above driver display
Where it works: major freeways in California and portions of Nevada (map)
Notable features: awareness view, automatic lane change, on-demand lane change
Service pricing: $2500 per year
What's next: Mercedes wants to expand its L3 system's capabilities up to 80 mph, with additional sensor redundancy part of that plan.
Nissan, Infiniti: ProPilot Assist 2.X
SAE Level: 2
Available on: 2.0: Nissan Ariya; 2.1: Nissan Armada, Rogue; Infiniti QX80
Maximum speed: 85 mph
Sensors used: cameras, radar
Driver monitoring: camera on the steering column, capacitive sensor on the steering wheel
Where it works:
200,000 miles of divided highways in the U.S. (map)
divided highways in Canada
Notable features: on-demand lane change, requires the driver's hands on the steering wheel; Route Assist alerts the driver when to move over or exit when navigation is active
Hardware pricing: included on certain trims or as part of an option package
Service pricing: three years included, after which a plan is required to get HD map updates
Tesla
This is where we'd tell you about Tesla's hands-free driving system if it offered one. Both Autopilot and Full Self-Driving are hands-on only. Elon mode doesn't count.
Toyota, Lexus: Teammate
SAE Level: 2
Standard on: Lexus LS500h
Previously available on: Toyota Mirai
Maximum speed: 85 mph
Sensors used: cameras, radar, lidar
Driver monitoring: camera on the steering column, steering-torque sensor
Where it works: 145,000 miles of U.S. roads and highways
Notable features: awareness view, on-demand lane change prompts the driver and requires hands on the steering wheel and turning their head to check the blind spot
Hardware pricing: no extra cost
Service pricing: 10 years included
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