Which Cars Have Self-Driving Features for 2018?

Wish you could work or sleep while your car navigates rush hour? Dream on — just not behind the wheel. Despite steady news on self-driving cars, such vehicles still remain in prototype test fleets. Right now, no mass-produced vehicle can fully drive itself.

Related: For Self-Driving Car Awareness, Most Americans on Autopilot

Don’t fret just yet. Many cars have self-driving features to autonomously accelerate, brake or steer. All of these driver assistance features work only in certain situations and still require you to pay attention and intervene as necessary, while some have limits on the amount of braking they can apply. Still, even mildly automated self-driving features can take much of the sting out of traffic jams, highway travel and more.

We detailed which cars have those features for 2016 and 2017. Given the advancement in self-driving technology, however, we pared the features down to three new-car essentials for 2018: stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering and hands-free steering. Which cars have these features either as standard or optional equipment? Read on.

BMW Group

The BMW Group includes BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 BMW 6 Series
2018 BMW i3
2018 BMW X1
2018 BMW X4
2018 BMW X5
2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid
2018 BMW X6
2018 Mini Clubman
2018 Mini Countryman
2018 Mini Cooper S E Countryman plug-in hybrid
2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn
2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost
2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom
2018 Rolls-Royce Wraith

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering all the way to a stop:

2018 BMW 5 Series
2018 BMW 5 Series plug-in hybrid (530e)
2018 BMW 7 Series
2018 BMW 7 Series plug-in hybrid (740e)
2018 BMW X3

What should I look for? The stop-and-go adaptive cruise control goes by Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go on BMWs; Mini calls it Camera-Based Cruise Control with a Stop&Go function. The lane-centering steering is Active Lane Keeping Assist; it functions all the way down to a stop but remains a hands-on system.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

FCA’s brands are Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati and Ram.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
2018 Chrysler 300
2018 Chrysler Pacifica
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in
2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Dodge Durango
2018 Jeep Cherokee
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering down to a stop:

2018 Maserati Ghibli
2018 Maserati Levante
2018 Maserati Quattroporte

What should I look for? Depending on the car, FCA calls the first feature Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, or Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus with Full Stop. Maserati, meanwhile, offers its Highway Assist System that can center the car all the way to a stop, but it only works on designated highways intuited through GPS. Don’t confuse it with Lane Keep Assist, a separate system that works above 37 mph across a broader spectrum of roads but only intervenes as you approach the lane markings.

Ford

Ford includes Lincoln, the automaker’s luxury division.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Ford Expedition
2018 Ford F-150
2018 Ford Fusion
2018 Ford Fusion Energi
2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid
2018 Lincoln Continental
2018 Lincoln MKZ
2018 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
2018 Lincoln Navigator

What should I look for? Ford calls its system adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality.

GM

GM’s brands are Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Buick Enclave
2018 Buick Envision
2018 Buick LaCrosse
2018 Buick Regal
2018 Buick Regal TourX
2018 Cadillac ATS
2018 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In hybrid
2018 Cadillac CTS
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Cadillac XT5
2018 Cadillac XTS
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
2018 Chevrolet Traverse
2018 Chevrolet Volt
2018 GMC Acadia

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control with hands-free steering all the way to a stop:

2018 Cadillac CT6

What should I look for? GM calls the first batch of systems Adaptive Full-Speed Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Full-Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control or simply just Adaptive Cruise Control, depending on the car.

More significant is Cadillac’s Super Cruise, a feature offered only on non-hybrid versions of the CT6 sedan. Super Cruise packages stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering that you can use hands-free in certain driving situations — namely divided highways that GM has precision-mapped. It’s the first production car with hands-free steering, but it isn’t attention-free. You still have to monitor your surroundings and take over as necessary, and there’s even a driver-facing camera to intuit driver inattention and disable the system. (Go here to see our test of Super Cruise.) GM otherwise doesn’t have any automatically-lane-centering steering systems.

Honda

Honda includes Acura, its luxury division.

Lane-centering steering at higher speeds only:

2018 Acura ILX
2018 Honda Odyssey
2018 Honda Ridgeline
2018 Honda Pilot

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering at higher speeds only:

2018 Acura TLX
2018 Acura MDX
2018 Acura MDX Hybrid
2018 Honda Accord
2018 Honda Accord Hybrid
2018 Honda Civic
2018 Honda Clarity
2018 Honda CR-V
2018 Honda Fit

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering all the way to a stop:

2018 Acura RLX
2018 Acura RLX Hybrid

What should I look? Look for Honda Sensing or AcuraWatch, depending on the brand. Both systems incorporate adaptive cruise control at higher speeds, but only some have a feature called Low-Speed Follow — essentially a stop-and-go function. (The ILX, Odyssey, Ridgeline and Pilot have simpler versions of AcuraWatch or Honda Sensing, which don’t have Low-Speed Follow. They still have adaptive cruise control, but it disengages below 22 mph.)

All cars with either radar system also have lane-centering steering, which works above 45 mph in all but one model; that’s the 2018 Acura RLX, including its hybrid variant. In both cars, AcuraWatch incorporates Traffic Jam Assist, a feature that can center the vehicle all the way down to a stop. With or without Traffic Jam Assist, Honda Sensing and AcuraWatch are not hands-free systems.

Hyundai-Kia

Hyundai and Kia are two affiliated automakers; Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury division.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Genesis G80
2018 Genesis G90
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT
2018 Hyundai Ioniq
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2018 Hyundai Sonata
2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
2018 Kia Cadenza
2018 Kia Optima
2018 Kia Sorento

Lane-centering steering at higher speeds only:

2018 Kia Forte
2018 Kia Niro

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering at higher speeds only:

2018 Kia Stinger

What should I look for? On Hyundai and certain Kia models, look for Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go. It’s called Advanced Smart Cruise Control on certain Kia models. Genesis calls the feature Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Start. Lane-centering steering is trickier: Three Kia models offer Lane Keeping Assist, sometimes called Lane Keep Assist, which Kia told us can center the vehicle in its lane. This lane-keeping system is a hands-on system, and Kia officials said it only works at 37 mph and faster. Various Hyundai and Genesis models also offer the driver-assist lane-keep feature, but officials at both brands said the system won’t center you in the lane.

Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar and Land Rover are two affiliated luxury brands.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Jaguar E-Pace
2018 Jaguar F-Pace
2018 Jaguar F-Type
2018 Jaguar XE
2018 Jaguar XF
2018 Jaguar XJ
2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport
2018 Land Rover Discovery
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2018 Land Rover Range Rover

What should I look for? JLR calls it Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist.

Mazda

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Mazda6
2018 Mazda CX-5
2018 Mazda CX-9

What should I look for? Look for Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go.

Mercedes-Benz

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
2018 Mercedes-AMG GT
2018 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering all the way to a stop:

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class plug-in hybrid (C350e)
2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC plug-in hybrid (GLC 350e)
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE plug-in hybrid (GLE 550e)
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

What should I look for? It’s complicated. Mercedes across its lineup offers adaptive cruise control that comes all the way to a stop, but depending on the vehicle and particular reference, the systems go by many names. Distronic is the operative word: Depending on the car, look for Distance Pilot Distronic, Distance Assist Distronic, Distronic Plus, Active Distance Assist Distronic or Active Distance Assistant Distronic.

Lane-centering steering, meanwhile, goes by Steering Pilot, Steering Assist or Active Steering Assist. Don’t confuse that with Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist — systems offered by Mercedes that can alert you or, in some cars, apply selective brakes to correct your course, if you drift from your lane. Those are primarily safety features and won’t continuously center the car. In any case, Mercedes lane-centering steering is a hands-on system.

Mitsubishi

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

What should I look for? Mitsubishi doesn’t have a branded name; simply look for adaptive cruise control.

Nissan

Nissan includes Infiniti, the automaker’s luxury division.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Infiniti Q70
2018 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid
2018 Infiniti QX30
2018 Infiniti QX80
2018 Nissan Altima
2018 Nissan Armada
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Nissan Murano
2018 Nissan Pathfinder
2018 Nissan Rogue Sport
2018 Nissan Sentra

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering at higher speeds only:

2018 Infiniti Q50
2018 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
2018 Infiniti Q60

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering all the way to a stop:

2018 Infiniti QX50
2018 Nissan Leaf
2018 Nissan Rogue

What should I look for? Look for three systems: Active Lane Control, Intelligent Cruise Control, or — the most advanced — ProPilot Assist. Intelligent Cruise Control is full-speed adaptive cruise control, while ProPilot Assist includes that plus lane-centering steering and other semi-autonomous features. ProPilot Assist is available on the Leaf, Rogue and QX50, and it can center the car all the way to a stop. The Q50 and Q60 offer Active Lane Control, a simpler lane-centering steering system that works only above roughly 45 mph. ProPilot Assist and Active Lane Control are both hands-on systems.

Subaru

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Subaru Crosstrek
2018 Subaru Forester
2018 Subaru Impreza
2018 Subaru Legacy
2018 Subaru Outback
2018 Subaru WRX

What should I look for? Subaru packages its stop-and-go adaptive cruise control under its EyeSight suite of safety systems. EyeSight also includes some steering intervention if you drive outside of lane markings, but it isn’t a lane-centering steering system — nor is it hands-free.

Tesla

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering all the way to a stop:

2018 Tesla Model 3
2018 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model X

What should I look for? Look for Autopilot, which encompasses adaptive cruise control (called Traffic-Aware Cruise Control) and lane-centering steering (called Autosteer), among other self-driving features. Early versions of Autopilot warned drivers to keep their hands on the wheel but could steer the car hands-free for miles on end if you let them. Tesla has since updated its vehicles to deactivate Autosteer if it senses no steering force — making it a hands-on system by intent and practice.

Toyota

Toyota includes Lexus, the automaker’s luxury division.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Lexus LX
2018 Lexus NX
2018 Lexus NX Hybrid
2018 Toyota Camry
2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid
2018 Toyota C-HR
2018 Toyota Prius
2018 Toyota Prius Prime

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering all the way to a stop:

2018 Lexus GS
2018 Lexus GS Hybrid
2018 Lexus LC
2018 Lexus LC Hybrid
2018 Lexus LS
2018 Lexus LS Hybrid
2018 Lexus RX
2018 Lexus RX Hybrid

What should I look for? Toyota and Lexus call adaptive cruise control Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The models above have more advanced DRCC with low-speed range; other Toyota and Lexus models offer DRCC that works only above 25 mph. Certain Lexus models couple DRCC with a lane-centering steering function. It works all the way to a stop, but it’s a hands-on system.

Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group controls Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen and a few ultraluxury brands.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control only:

2018 Volkswagen Atlas
2018 Volkswagen e-Golf
2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
2018 Volkswagen Golf R
2018 Volkswagen Passat
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering at higher speeds only:

2018 Audi A3/S3/A3 e-tron
2018 Audi A6/S6
2018 Audi A7/S7/RS 7
2018 Audi A8/S8

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering all the way to a stop:

2018 Audi A4/A4 Allroad/S4
2018 Audi A5/S5/RS 5
2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
2018 Audi Q7

What should I look for? For the stop-and-go adaptive cruise, look for Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go. For lane-centering steering, Audi’s Active Lane Assist system — not to be confused with Volkswagen’s Lane Assist, which is a lane departure warning program that intervenes as you approach lane markings but won’t actively center the car. Active Lane Assist is hands-on and functions only above 40 mph. A separate system on certain Audi models called Traffic Jam Assist adds lane-centering steering all the way down to a stop; it’s also hands-on.

Asked about its self-driving features, Porsche did not furnish details.

Volvo

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control:

2018 Volvo S60
2018 Volvo V60

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise with lane-centering steering all the way to a stop:

2018 Volvo S90
2018 Volvo V90
2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country
2018 Volvo XC60
2018 Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid
2018 Volvo XC90
2018 Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid

What should I look for? Volvo markets its semi-autonomous systems under Pilot Assist, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane-centering steering. Both systems work all the way down to a stop, but Pilot Assist is not a hands-free system.

More About the Systems

Myriad differences exist in the systems listed above, and performance varies widely. In our evaluations, some systems maintained fastidious lane centering and responded smoothly to changing traffic conditions. Others allowed significant wandering in your lane, reacted suddenly to changing traffic patterns or both. Varying conditions, from weather to road markings, can affect whether — and how well — the system works. It’s a good idea to download the owner’s manual of your prospective car to learn how its self-driving systems work, and ask a dealer specialist for a tutorial when you buy the car.

Want to know more? Read on.

Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control: This feature builds on basic adaptive cruise control, a decades-old feature that maintains a selectable distance between you and the car ahead. Adaptive cruise that works at higher speeds is widely available, but systems that function down to a full standstill are an important next step to manage bumper-to-bumper traffic. Such systems can bring you to a full stop in traffic, then resume when the car ahead moves within a given timeframe.
Lane-centering steering: This goes beyond lane-departure steering assist, which intervenes only as you approach or cross the lane markings — and often pinballs you back toward the opposite marking — to actively center the vehicle in its lane by tracking lane markings or, in some cases, the vehicle ahead. Such systems can often negotiate mild curves, too, but all of them require you to keep your hands on the wheel, issuing warnings and eventually deactivating if they sense a lack of steering force after a short time. Many lane-centering steering systems can also deactivate if lane markings disappear — often the case with construction zones, merging lanes or just a poorly marked road.
Hands-free steering: This centers the car without your hands on the wheel. For 2018, only one system — Cadillac’s Super Cruise, available on the CT6 sedan — does this. Super Cruise still requires you to pay attention, and it works only on certain limited-access highways.

Editor’s note: This story was updated June 6, 2019, with clarifications on Maserati’s lane-centering steering and on April 20, 2018, with further information from Kia regarding Lane Keep Assist.