GM’s semi-autonomous driver assist feature, Super Cruise, earned a “Marginal” rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Partial Driving Automation Safeguard Tests.
The IISH developed the Partial Driving Automation Safeguard Tests only recently. It rates semi-automated driving systems, such as Super Cruise technology, on a scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor. In order for a system to be considered Good, it must monitor a driver’s gaze and hand position; use multiple types of rapidly escalating alerts to get the driver’s attention; engage fail-safe systems to slow the vehicle, alert the manufacturer and keep automation deactivated for the remainder of the drive; and automated lane changes must be initiated or confirmed by the driver.
Additionally, a good score requires that adaptive cruise control must not automatically resume after a lengthy stop or if the driver is not looking at the road; lane centering must not discourage steering by the driver; and autonomous driving must not be able to be used with the seat belt unfastened or with auto emergency braking and lane departure prevention/warnings disengaged.
Super Cruise was ranked Good in terms of attention reminders, emergency procedures and safety features. However, it earned an Acceptable rating in automatic cruise control resume, and earned Poor marks in driver monitoring, lane changing and cooperative steering. Overall, this combined for a Marginal grade, which, interestingly enough, placed it second among the 14 systems surveyed. Only one earned an Acceptable rating: Lexus Teammate, while Nissan ProPilot was the only other system with a Marginal rating. All others received Poor ratings.
“Some drivers may feel that partial automation makes long drives easier, but there is little evidence it makes driving safer,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “As many high-profile crashes have illustrated, it can introduce new risks when systems lack the appropriate safeguards.”
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Comments
I’d be happy with windshield wipers that worked without streaking!
Which version of Super Cruise did the IIHS assess?
Still pi$$ed-off that the Super Cruise that I pay for in my 2017 & 2020 CT6’s don’t get the 350K mile upgrade or the lane change feature. It’s all software and sensor driven which both of my cars have a lot of sensors and can receive OTA software updates. I’m done with GM and Cadillac. No full-sized luxury sedan, and don’t try to tell me the CT5 is “full-sized”, only CUV’s, SUV’s and those damned mall-crawler, jacked up pickups.
Hello, Mercedes, Genesis and BMW for my full-sized luxury sedans.
Your vehicles don’t get it because they are on the old electrical architecture. The ECU in both of your vehicles is unable to support the new features.
It would be nice if I could get Super Cruise on a Yukon XL Denali without SECOND ROW BUCKETS, SUNROOF, POWER RUNNING BOARDS AND DVD PLAYER. They package and push all that crap on purchasers.
I have owned Suburban’s and Yukon XL’s continuously for 50 years. First Suburban purchased in 1974. It is a shame that I can’t get one the way I want it.
You will be able to in 2025MY, coming later this year.
So you are saying I can order a Suburban or Yukon XL the way I want it? Current vehicle; 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali, ordered the way I wanted it.
I’m saying we are expecting greater availability of Super Cruise on more configurations and trims for the 2025MY refreshed Tahoe/Suburban and Yukon, similar to the refreshed 2024 Traverse where you can get Super Cruise even on the LT trim.