We all love the convenience of driving, but let’s be honest—sitting in gridlocked traffic or slogging through long highway stretches isn’t fun. Fortunately, hands-free driving systems are emerging to alleviate some of the stress. This article cuts through the marketing hype to provide a clear picture of what these systems can, and can’t, do right now.
These systems share fundamental similarities: drivers can usually remove their hands from the wheel only on specific, pre-mapped roads under certain environmental conditions. However, drivers must always remain attentive and ready to regain control. Cameras monitor the driver for signs of distraction and provide alerts when needed.
Here’s a rundown of hands-free driving systems currently available:
- BMW: Highway Assistant
- Ford, Lincoln: BlueCruise
- GM (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC): Super Cruise
- Jeep, Ram: Hands-Free Active Driving Assist
- Mercedes-Benz: Drive Pilot
- Nissan, Infiniti: ProPilot Assist 2.X
- Toyota, Lexus: Teammate
We’ll also call out any unique or standout features, the models that offer the technology, associated costs (for both software and hardware), and the areas where each system is operational. Where applicable, we’ve included links to maps showing system coverage.
The landscape of hands-free driving is evolving quickly, with new developers entering the market and existing companies regularly updating their systems with new features and expanded road coverage. Besides the systems listed above, systems are currently in development from Lucid (Highway Pilot) and Rivian (Enhanced Highway Assist). Additionally, Tesla’s plans for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system might eventually lead to a fully hands-free system.
As new information becomes available, we’ll periodically update this article.
Before we dive in, here are some essential definitions:
- SAE Level: A scale from 0 to 5 that rates a vehicle’s autonomous capabilities. Level 2 systems require the driver’s constant attention, whereas Level 3 is the first level where the vehicle drives itself and the driver is free to divert their attention, with the understanding that they will take control when instructed.
- Awareness View: A display, generally on a digital gauge, that provides an idea of what the system “sees” – usually depicted with ghost-like vehicles representing nearby traffic.
- Automated Lane Change: The vehicle determines when it’s appropriate to move lanes to pass a slower vehicle (always to the left!) and then returns to the original lane.
- On-Demand Lane Change: Similar to the above, but requires the driver’s approval.
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 and full-range and short-range radar.
- Driver monitoring: Camera in the instrument cluster
- Operational areas: 130,000 miles of divided highways in the U.S. and Canada.
- Notable features: Awareness view, on-demand lane change: Active Lane Change with eye activation allows the driver to confirm a proposed lane change by looking in that direction; lane changes can also be initiated via the turn signal stalk.
- Hardware pricing: Included as part of the Driving Assistance Professional package
- Service pricing: Eight years of service included, with annual renewal fees thereafter.
What’s next: BMW has a Level 3 system known as Personal Pilot L3, which is only available in Germany at this time. The company has no plans at present to introduce this to the U.S. due to regulatory restrictions 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 and radar.
- Driver monitoring: Infrared camera on the steering column, above the in-vehicle screen, and on the door pillar to the left of the steering wheel
- Operational areas: 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, and then execute, a lane change when the driver activates the turn signal and it’s safe to do so.
- Hardware pricing: No additional cost; included on certain trims.
- Service pricing: For 2025 Ford models, a one-year plan is included or available for $495 when ordered with the vehicle. A one-time purchase for $2495 is offered on all new Ford vehicles. A 90-day trial is included if no plan is purchased, after which the cost is $495 per year or $49.99 per month. Lincoln includes four years as standard on most trims.
What’s next: Ford is developing 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 previous mapped lidar data stored in the vehicle)
- Driver monitoring: Camera and infrared LEDs on the steering column
- Operational areas: 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, and trailering. It’s the only system that works on non-divided highways.
- Hardware pricing: Cadillac: $2500; Buick, $3255–$3730 (as part of a larger package of features); Chevrolet, GMC: $2200
- Service pricing: Three years included, with a monthly cost of $25, or $250 annually, thereafter.
What’s next: GM originally announced that the next version of its system, Ultra Cruise, would be rolled out on the Cadillac Celestiq, using more than 20 sensors, including lidar. However, the company later announced all future improvements would remain under the Super Cruise brand.
Jeep, Ram: Hands-Free Active Driving Assist
- SAE Level: 2
- Available on: Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Ram 1500
- Maximum speed: 90 mph
- Sensors used: Cameras and Radar.
- Driver monitoring: Camera on the steering column, steering-wheel sensors
- Operational areas: 125,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada
- Notable features: On-demand lane change and detailed maps
- Hardware pricing: Ram 1500: available on select trims; Jeep Grand Cherokee L: $2995 option on Overland 4×4 and Summit 4×4
- 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 sensors
- Driver monitoring: Camera above the driver display
- Operational areas: 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 intends to expand its L3 system’s capabilities to 80 mph, and will be adding sensor redundancy as part of those plans.
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 and radar.
- Driver monitoring: Camera on the steering column, capacitive sensor on the steering wheel
- Operational areas: 200,000 miles of divided highways in the U.S. (map) and Canada
- Notable features: On-demand lane change (requires the driver’s hand to be 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, with a plan required afterward to receive HD map updates
Tesla
This is the section where we’d detail Tesla’s hands-free driving system if they had one. Both Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) have traditionally been hands-on systems. Elon mode does not count. However, a Tesla FSD system update (release 12.5.4.1) that was rolled out in October 2024, claims to rely primarily on the cabin camera to monitor driver attentiveness. But the release notes also state that “in other circumstances, the driver monitoring system will primarily rely on torque-based (steering wheel) monitoring to detect driver attentiveness,” so we’re not calling it entirely hands-free just yet.
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
- Operational areas: 145,000 miles of U.S. roads and highways
- Notable features: Awareness view, on-demand lane change (prompts the driver and requires them to keep their hands on the steering wheel and look in their blind spot).
- Hardware pricing: No extra cost
- Service pricing: 10 years included
