We’re hardly on the verge of self-driving technology taking over responsibilities from humans, but some systems are becoming more mainstream. Thus, Consumer Reports deemed it necessary to take a crack at four semi self-driving systems on the market today.
On the docket was Cadillac and its Super Cruise technology, Tesla’s Autopilot, Nissan’s ProPilot Assist and Volvo’s Pilot Assist. Of the four systems, CR said Super Cruise was able to mitigate self-driving behavior and driver safety in the best way compared to the other systems. Super Cruise also ensured the driver was paying attention the best.

Photo: Scott Downing for Cadillac
It’s always important to remind drivers that none of these technologies are intended to replace the driver. Instead, they’re luxury and convenience features. Cadillac’s Super Cruise will disengage if it finds the driver isn’t paying attention to the road for a period of time as a camera tracks eye movement away from the road. In the event a driver is totally unresponsive, Super Cruise can pull the car over and dial OnStar for assistance.
CR said Super Cruise offered the best balance of technology and safety, though the system is restricted to major U.S. highways. Tesla’s Autopilot, for example, can operate on any road, but CR noted the system behaved erratically when tasked with curvy roads and side streets. Nissan’s system kept drivers better engaged to the situation.
Tesla’s systems placed second due to its ease of use with Nissan coming in third. Volvo placed last as testers noted it overpromised and under delivered in both capability and driver safeguards. Cadillac still maintains the only true hands-free system in the business, while Volvo required drivers to make contact with the steering wheel when outside of straight roads.
Eventually, every Cadillac model will introduce Super Cruise technology before other GM brands encounter the trickle-down effect. Additional Cadillac’s equipped with Super Cruise will arrive starting in 2020 with the tech expanding to Buick, GMC and Chevrolet sometime next decade.
Comments
“Volvo placed last as testers noted it overpromised and under delivered in both capability and driver safeguards.”
i thought tesla was the gold standard in that category.
Hmm that ten year lead and all those sensors the koolaid drinker bragged about appear to be used up.
Might be the reason Honda is working with GM not Tesla.
Honda didn’t work with Tesla as the chances of communication between the two are probably non-existent. Tesla nore than likely would have turned Honda down.
If they were waving billions of dollars in front of them while Tesla was pre selling cars to raise capital to build the 3 I am sure they may have held some consideration on licensing some technology.
The reality is GM is already to the next level working hard on LIDAR based systems that will carry not only semi autonomous but deliver full autonomous products at some point when the infrastructure and legal markets can handle them.
There were five categories: Capability & Performance, Ease of Use, Clear When Safe to Use, Keeping Driver Engaged, Unresponsive Driver…If you’re a believer only the first matters, Tesla received a 5 out of 5 while GM recieved a 3 out of 5…Musk has repeatedly stated he wants minimal safeguards in the last 3 categories…
The reality is many drivers lack the discipline to use these systems properly. That is going to demand the companies to idiot proof them. Tesla already has had some fatalities and a good number of crashes because the driver was not engaged.
The reality is for these semi autonomous systems there will have to be safegaurds. If not you will be faced with major legislation that will force it on you or you will need to lawyer up for every idiot that crashes.
While the owners stupidly is the cause the court cost will break you unless you just settle.
Semi autonomous is much like working from home some can do it others just lacks what it takes to deal with it.
I can just see the DUI semi autonomous crashes already.
As good as these systems can be the weak link is the human.
Tesla/”autopilot” has the highest number of people killed – 3. Uber in 2nd with 1 pedestrian. All others combined zero.
You can add one more for Tesla in 2024.