Car companies in 2022 promised and delivered some tremendous self-driving cars. These vehicles use advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and provide welcome relief to drivers. However, they are not fully autonomous yet.  

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defined five levels of autonomous driving. Most cars are level 1, meaning essential driver assistance like cruise control. Level 2 combines ADAS to navigate, center, accelerate, and brake certain situations. Level 3 self-driving technology can gauge traffic situations and react accordingly. 

While there are five levels, only levels 1-3 are available. Level 4 and 5 full self-driving capabilities won’t be on the market for years. However, many SAE level 2 cars are available, and one SAE level 3 is just hitting the market. The self-driving vehicles consumers are geeking out over are levels 2 and 3. 

A ride in any of these eight autonomous cars is sure to win drivers over to the benefits and comfort of self-driving. So let’s explore which cars have self-driving features for 2022.

1. Mercedes-Benz EQS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes is leading the pack with Drive Pilot: the world’s first approved SAE level 3 driving system.² So far, it’s released in Germany on certain roads. But they have plans to petition California and Nevada for 2023. 

The new Drive Pilot ADAS gives drivers a self-driving experience like no other. It uses sensors built into the vehicle, including lidar, microphones, and even a moisture sensor. The car indicates it can take over by lighting up two blue buttons on the steering wheel. The driver can then push the buttons and sit back as the ADAS takes over. While the driver has to remain responsive and ready to drive if the car asks, they can disengage some. No hands required here! Drive Pilot is also capable of automated parking, which parks the vehicle for the driver.

This feature is available on the EQS and S-Class models.

2. Ford F-150 and Mustang Mach-E

Ford's new Blue Cruise technology allows for hands-off driving in limited areas, making it an SAE level 2 system.³ Ford has designated Hands-Free Blue Zones, which are pre-mapped highways, where it can drive. The car can accelerate, steer, and brake on its own when on one of these highways. While the driver doesn’t need to keep their hands on the wheel, they do need to stay alert. Blue Cruise monitors the driver’s eyes to ensure they’re engaged. If it senses a distracted driver, it warns them.

The vehicles also have Active Park Assist 2.0, which can self-park. This system can navigate parallel or perpendicular spaces and pull out of them. It even features an auto-braking design to help avoid collisions.

This feature is available on the Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Truck models.

3. Lincoln Navigator

Lincoln's new vehicles offer a suite of safety features in its driver assistance technologies. Their Active Glide is an SAE level 2 system.⁴ It gives drivers the freedom to drive hands-free on certain pre-mapped highways. These are the Hands-Free Blue Zones as designated by Ford. Like Blue Cruise, Active Glide also monitors the driver's eyes. 

Lincoln’s CO-PILOT360 also offers a host of other self-driving capabilities. Active Park Assist, Blind Spot Information System, and Pre-Collision Assist all use cameras and radar to help the driver stay safe. 

The Active Glide feature is only available on the Lincoln Navigator so far. 

4. Tesla Model S, 3, X, and Y

Tesla's Autopilot system can drive in most situations.⁵ Rather than mapping certain roads, Tesla uses cameras, radar, and ultrasonic to scan the areas as the car goes through them. This means drivers can use the feature practically anywhere. The auto-learning computer is continually updating over the air. Hence,  Autopilot gets smarter, the more people drive with it. Elon Musks’ company Tesla is also constantly rolling out updates to its system.

While it’s technically an SAE level 2 system, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package provides a unique driving experience. Smart Summon lets the car navigate parking lots and complex situations. Autopilot can navigate city streets comfortably and respond to traffic lights. It can also perform automatic lane changes and navigate when in Autopilot mode. However, the driver still must keep their hands on the wheel and turn it or spin a dial every few seconds to prove they're paying attention.

This feature is available on all of Tesla’s vehicle models. 

5. BMW X7

BMW’s Driving Assistance Professional Package offers another suite of self-driving options.⁶ It includes Frontal Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation, and the new Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. Both collision warning functions alert drivers to potential collisions, like a car in front of them that slams on the brakes. If the driver doesn’t immediately respond, the system will use its automatic emergency braking to self-brake and avoid a collision. 

The new Extended Traffic Jam Assistant is another strong SAE level 2 system. It self-drives in certain situations. Traffic Jam Assist is designed for steering through stop-and-go traffic. However, it’s only allowed for highway driving. 

This feature is only available on the BMW X7. 

6. Cadillac CT6 and Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac’s Super Cruise is another excellent SAE level 2 self-driving system.⁷ Super Cruise lets drivers go hands-free in some pre-mapped regions. Cadillac has mapped out over 200,000 miles of roads in the US and Canada and is still going. Super Cruise uses lidar, cameras, sensors, and GPS to pilot the car. It can also perform lane changes without driver assistance. 

The newest feature, Trailering, lets drivers go hands-free on the pre-mapped roads with a trailer or RV hooked up. This feature truly relieves drivers from the added stress of pulling a trailer.

This feature is currently available on Cadillac’s CT6 and Escalade. 

7. Volkswagen ID.4

Volkwagen’s Travel Assist provides powerful self-driving capabilities.⁸ Travel Assist combines adaptive cruise control and lane assist to drive independently. Unlike its counterparts, it’s not limited to specific, pre-mapped roads. Instead, it uses sensors and cameras to learn the streets as it drives. This SAE level 2 self-driving system requires drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel. 

This feature is currently available on the ID.4 and other Volkswagen vehicles.

8. Nissan Ariya and Nissan Rogue 

Nissan’s ProPilot Assist has been around for a few years but is still one of the best in its class. The ProPilot is a solid SAE level 2 driver assistance system. ProPilot combines adaptive cruise control and lane assist to maintain a following, come to a complete stop, and start again in traffic.⁹ It also automatically reduces speed when it senses upcoming curves like an exit ramp. 

The new Nissan Ariya is the first Nissan vehicle to implement its ProPilot Park system, which gives the driver visual and audio cues as they park. Nissan uses cameras and sonar to detect obstacles and cars. 

The ProPilot Assist is available on a handful of Nissan vehicles, while the ProPilot Park assist is only available on the Ariya. 

Source Self-Driving Vehicles 

The used car market is shifting towards self-driving vehicles. However, it will be some time before automakers make them accessible to the average consumer. It may be helpful to perform market research to identify your key customers and learn what features garner the most attention. If they’re looking for self-driving vehicles, then we can help!

Your dealership can buy self-driving auction cars online. ACV Auto Auctions has a wide variety of wholesale autonomous vehicles and will only get more as the market grows. While mostly SAE level 1, we may have a few SAE level 2’s and even an SAE level 3. 

Register now to start looking for and building your autonomous vehicle inventory.

We look forward to working with you at ACV Auctions!

Sources

1. SAE. “Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles” Retrieved August 2022 from https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3016_201806/
2. Autoweek. “Mercedes Launches SAE Level 3 Drive Pilot System” Retrieved August 2022 from https://www.autoweek.com/news/technology/a39943287/mercedes-drive-pilot-level-3-autonomous/
3. Ford. “Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles” Retrieved August 2022 from https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/ford-technology/driver-assist-features/what-is-ford-bluecruise-hands-free-driving/
4. Edmunds. “What is Lincoln ActiveGlide and How Does It Work?” Retrieved August 2022 from https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/what-is-lincoln-activeglide-and-how-does-it-work.html
5. Tesla. “Autopilot” Retrieved August 2022 from https://www.tesla.com/autopilot
6. The Brake Report. “BMW UNVEILS NEW 7 SERIES WITH EXTENSIVE ADAS” Retrieved August 2022 from https://thebrakereport.com/bmw-unveils-new-7-series-with-extensive-adas/
7. Cadillac. “Super Cruise” Retrieved August 2022 from https://www.cadillac.com/ownership/vehicle-technology/super-cruise
8. Volkswagen. “ID.4” Retrieved August 2022 from https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/electric-and-hybrid/electric-cars/id4.html#features
9. Nissan. “WHAT IS NISSAN'S PROPILOT ASSIST®?” Retrieved August 2022 from https://www.nissanusa.com/experience-nissan/news-and-events/nissan-propilot-assist.html

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