tesla model 3 cruise control vs autopilot

• What's My Car Worth?
• Buyer's Guide

Tesla Model 3: The Complete Guide

Driving a Tesla for the first time can be daunting, so we've explained everything you need to know about operating a Model 3.

Getting Started

Our Tesla Model 3 has three keys: a Tesla key card; a key fob, which is a $150 accessory; and your phone, which you can set up through the Tesla mobile app to work as a key. To unlock the car with the key card, swipe the card on the B-pillar, and the door will unlock or lock. With the key fob or phone as a key, simply approach the car, push in the right side of the door handle, and pull the door open. The car will lock automatically once the phone or key fob is about five feet away from the car. You can also unlock or lock the car remotely via the Tesla mobile app or simply push on the roof of the car-shaped Tesla key fob.

There's No Ignition

You don't really turn on the car, either. Simply depress the brake pedal, push the right stalk on the steering column—it goes up for reverse and down for drive—and you're off. To engage neutral, gently push up to the first stopping point on the right stalk for about two seconds. When you're done driving, put the car in park by pushing the button on the side of the right stalk.

Making Adjustments

To adjust the steering wheel and mirrors, touch the front-facing car icon at the bottom left of the central touchscreen. This will bring up all of the vehicle's settings menus. Make sure you're under Quick Controls. This will allow you to adjust the steering wheel and mirrors via the two buttons and spin wheels on the steering wheel. Here, you can also turn the lights on or off, fold the mirrors inward, lock the windows, and adjust the screen's brightness. Adjustments, including the driver's seating position, can be saved on up to 10 driver profiles that can be chosen at the top right of the screen.

Driving, Cruise Control, and Autopilot

Driving an electric car isn't that much different from driving a gasoline-powered car—other than that they make almost no noise at all. As we said earlier, you never really start the car. You just put it in gear and silently creep away. Fair warning: the instant torque during hard acceleration might frighten you at first, but trust us, it can get a bit addicting. Reverse is different, though, because the car emits a high-pitched humming sound when in reverse—this definitely gets a lot of raised eyebrows from onlookers.

The Driving Graphic

On the left side of the Model 3's center-mounted 15-inch touchscreen, there is a driving graphic that displays your car, lanes in the road, bike lanes, railroad crossings, road arrows, stop signs, stoplights, pedestrians, and other cars (it even differentiates among cars, trucks, and SUVs). There isn't a typical gauge cluster in front of the Model 3's steering wheel as there is in most gas-powered cars. Instead, the Model 3's speed is displayed above the driving graphic. That's also where the blinkers flash.

How to Use Cruise Control

Under the speedometer are the cruise-control speed settings. To engage cruise control, press down once on the right stalk while in drive. The Model 3 is equipped with adaptive cruise control, meaning cameras on the outside of the car detect its surroundings and decelerate or accelerate to maintain following distances. To adjust the speed, there are + and - symbols next to the speed or you can use the right wheel on the steering wheel to speed up or slow down.

How to Engage Autopilot

To use the Model 3's Autopilot, press down on the right stalk twice. You'll hear a chime, and the lanes on the driving graphic will turn blue, indicating that the car will stay in that lane. Once Autopilot is engaged, the car will continue to slow down and accelerate based on the set cruise control speed, and also take gradual turns.

In a car equipped with the Full Self Driving option, Autopilot can change lanes, too. Simply hit the blinker and the car will switch lanes for you. If there's a vehicle in the way, the exterior cameras will detect it and wait for the way to be clear.

Bring the Car to You Remotely with Summon and Smart Summon

Autopilot and Summon are standard on Model 3s. C/D’ s long-term test car has the Full Self Driving option, which includes automatic lane changing and Smart Summon. You have to be within approximately 200 feet of your car to use Smart Summon. Both Summon and Smart Summon work through the Tesla mobile app. Summon will move the car forward or reverse, while Smart Summon can bring your parked car to your location without a driver. In the app, use the crosshair-like icon to show your location, and hold the Summon icon to bring the car to you.

One-Pedal Driving

The Model 3 has full one-pedal driving due to regenerative braking. Simply put, regenerative braking means that when you let off the throttle, the car automatically starts slowing by using the electric motor in reverse, which also serves to send energy back to the battery. If the car's charge is full, though, regenerative braking will be reduced, and the car will not stop itself. Regenerative braking is most apparent when the car is on a lower state of charge, therefore reserving the battery's charge.

The 15-Inch Touchscreen

The Tesla Model 3's interior is very minimalistic, meaning there aren't many buttons or knobs. There's just one large 15-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard where the majority of the controls are, as well as two scrollable buttons on each side of the steering wheel. Normal things you expect to see in a car like a radio, air conditioning, and controls to adjust the mirrors or the steering wheel are all controlled on the central touchscreen.

Open the Glovebox via the Touchscreen

Yes, in the Model 3, even the glovebox opens via touchscreen. Hit the car icon at the bottom right of the screen to open up the settings menu, and on the left under the system menus, there is a button to open the glovebox. It closes manually.

How to Use the Climate Controls

The climate-control settings are also integrated in the central touchscreen. Select the fan icon at the bottom of the screen, and the climate control settings pop up. In the Model 3, the air blows out of a vent that sprawls across the entire dash—just above the wood paneling in our long-term test car. Our Model 3 also has heated seats, which can be controlled in this menu, too. We can choose which seat is heated, even the middle back seat, and how much heat comes out in three levels.

Ask Anything with Voice Command

Below the driving graphic, there is a microphone icon that's used to bring up voice command. You can also press the right scroll button on the steering wheel to activate voice commands. There will be an activation tone, and then you can speak commands such as "show me Superchargers," "lock the doors," or "text Connor."

Stay Entertained

To help you kill time at charging stations, Netflix, Hulu, Twitch, and YouTube are integrated into the Model 3's entertainment menu. On the Model 3 they work like any other streaming device, but they can only be used while the car is in park. The entertainment menu is also loaded with games. Our favorite is a Mario Kart-like racing game where the Model 3's brake pedal and steering wheel are used to control the car in-game. In addition to streaming apps and games, Tesla owners can browse the web directly from the car's touchscreen. Owners can also log into their Spotify account to stream their music in the car or they can connect a Bluetooth device, listen to the radio, or search for podcasts.

Charging Tesla Model 3 at Home

All Teslas come out of the box with a mobile connector that has a 20-foot cable that can charge the car from different wall outlets at medium to low speeds. The mobile connector kit includes an adapter for standard 120-volt household outlets that will charge the Model 3 and Model S at around three miles of range per hour, and the Model X at around two miles of range per hour. Other adapters for different outlets can be purchased directly through Tesla.

However, the majority of Tesla owners have charging units installed at their homes. Wall connectors can work with almost any home power supply and are purchased from Tesla for $500. Through Tesla's website, a local electrician who has been trained to install Tesla charging equipment can be found to install the wall connector either indoors or out. Tesla's own installation services are also available, but only in certain areas. Connected to a wall charger, the Model 3 can charge up to 44 miles of range per hour of charge at an 11.5-kW or 48-amp output.

Customers can also get Tesla's Powerwall, which starts at $6500. It's essentially a giant battery plugged into the wall. Powerwall gives homeowners the ability to store power produced either by solar panels or during off-peak times to be used later to power their home or charge their Tesla. Like the wall charger and other Tesla accessories, the Powerwall can be ordered directly from the Tesla website.

Charging Tesla Model 3 on the Road

On the road, Teslas can be charged at one of its 1870 Supercharger stations across the world. They either provide 150 or 250 kW of electric power, and there are also urban chargers that supply 72 kW of power. To plug in, simply back into the parking space—each Supercharger station typically has around eight stalls—and plug in. Payment is processed through the credit card associated with the driver's Tesla account and typically costs between $5 and $15, depending on the state of charge. When charging is complete, hang up the charging cable, and you're off.

In addition to the Superchargers, Tesla also has destination chargers across the country at hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. They're free and can be used by any Tesla owner to charge the car for a few hours or even overnight. Third-party charging stations can be located through Plugshare.com . The Tesla mobile connector bundle that comes with every car includes J1772, 120v, and 240v adapters.

Tesla Performance

Our long-term Dual Motor Tesla Model 3 Long Range weighed in at 4038 pounds and launched from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. That acceleration hits hard, due to the instant torque provided from the electric motors, and in the higher-performance Tesla models, there's even more oomph. The Model 3 Performance can do 60 mph in 3.5 seconds , and when we tested the larger Model S Performance, we reached that speed a full second quicker, in 2.5 seconds. But that incredible number isn't even the best time we've measured with an EV. A Porsche Taycan Turbo S to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds, making it the third-quickest car we’ve ever tested. Electric cars don't have to be slow.

How Much Teslas Cost

If you're going to get behind the wheel of a Tesla, you're going to have to get one first. But how much does a Tesla cost? Like any other car, it varies depending on model, trim level, and options. Currently the entry-level, let's say least expensive, Tesla is the Model Y compact crossover. It's almost identical to the Model 3, and it starts at $40,200, but that's for the Standard Range battery, which provides about 230 miles of driving range. They can cost you more than $62,200 for the Model Y Performance. On the highest end of the spectrum, the Model X SUV reaches prices around $106,000 for the Performance model, which Tesla claims can hit 60 mph from a stop in less than three seconds.

Order Online or in Person

You can order a Tesla online through Tesla's website or its in person showrooms. But Tesla's stores aren't like typical car dealerships because you're buying directly from Tesla. In some states, you might have to cross state lines to purchase one. And sometimes, as in our case here in Michigan, the Tesla service center is at a separate location. When our long-term Model 3 suffered a catastrophic battery failure , we had to send the car across the border to a service center in Toledo, Ohio.

Sitting on the floor of the library and poring over issues of Car and Driver is one of Connor Hoffman's earliest memories. Choosing to attend the nation's top-ranked journalism school at the University of Missouri and graduating with a magazine writing emphasis was all part of chasing his dream of writing for Car and Driver. When he's not bragging about Mizzou having the best journalism program in the country, he's probably on a rant about Toyota trucks.

.css-1updq97:before{background-color:#000000;color:#fff;left:0;width:50%;border:0 solid transparent;bottom:48%;height:0.125rem;content:'';position:absolute;z-index:-2000000;} Reviews .css-1e2ieb7:after{background-color:#000000;color:#fff;right:0;width:50%;border:0 solid transparent;bottom:48%;height:0.125rem;content:'';position:absolute;z-index:-2000000;}

2024 Porsche Macan EV Isn't Just Quick

2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Is a Spicier Taco

1975 Volkswagen Rabbit: A Whole Different VW

Tested: 2024 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo

2025 Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS 850 Turbo R: Peak Snowmobile

1996 Chevrolet Corvette vs. Malibu Corvette Boat

Comparison Test: Kia Sportage vs. Nissan Rogue

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet: Sunset Cruiser

2025 Toyota Camry Carefully Evolves

1975 Toyota Corolla SR-5 Archive Test

Porsche Cayenne S Coupe Tested: The V-8 Returns

• GTA 5 Cheats
• What is Discord?
• Find a Lost Phone
• Upcoming Movies
• Nintendo Switch 2
• Best YouTube TV Alternatives
• How to Recall an Email in Outlook

Tesla Autopilot vs. full self-driving: What’s the difference?

It’s no longer the only company with self-driving cars on the road, but Tesla was one of the first brands to make this innovative functionality available to the public. Thanks to an array of cameras, sensors, and AI technology, most Telsa vehicles are capable of driving themselves to some degree. However, this doesn’t mean drivers can take a nap behind the wheel. In fact, none can be used without driver supervision — and there are some serious limitations to the tech.

Tesla Autopilot

Tesla enhanced autopilot, tesla full self-driving (fsd), tesla autopilot controversies.

Tesla currently offers features known as Tesla Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. But what’s the difference between the two? And is one more reliable than the other? Here’s everything you need to know about Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving technology.

Tesla Autopilot was the company’s first autonomous mode, and was introduced in 2014. It’s still the least advanced of the options, but it’s also included for free with all new Tesla cars — so it’s kind of like an added bonus.

• Is your check engine light on? Here are 10 possible reasons why
• Tesla Destination Chargers vs. Superchargers: What’s the difference?
• Tesla pulls latest Full Self-Driving beta less than a day after release

Autopilot is designed to be used with full driver supervision, and is essentially an advanced version of cruise control. It has lane-centering and adaptive cruise control, meaning the car can both stay in the center of a lane and can slow down and speed up depending on what’s in front of it.

These are features that aren’t necessarily exclusive to Tesla. Together, they’re basically an advanced cruise control, which is on offer by other cars.

Tesla Enhanced Autopilot adds some features that other cars don’t have. It’s also not free — it costs $6,000.

Enhanced Autopilot allows the car to park on its own, and also has features like auto lane change, meaning the car can change lanes as it sees fit. This feature also ties into the “Navigate on Autopilot” feature, which allows the car to drive from a highway’s on-ramp to its off-ramp, theoretically without the driver’s input — though the driver should still stay aware.

It also includes Summon and Smart Summon, which allow the car to drive to you in a parking lot — no remote control necessary.

Some of these are features that you can’t really find anywhere else — though features like lane changing are set to become more common.

Last but not least is Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD). It’s the most advanced option, but Tesla has labeled it as a “beta,” suggesting that it’s more of a way to test the feature with real-world drivers. Tesla debuted FSD in 2020, and has been periodically improving it ever since.

It’s the most expensive option on Tesla’s menu — it costs a hefty $15,000 upfront, or $200 per month if you prefer to pay for it as a subscription. For that money, it adds a major feature: the ability to start and stop at traffic lights and stop signs.

Tesla sees FSD as the eventual car-to-door feature, unlocking the ability to fully drive an individual from point A to point B. But it’s not quite there yet. You should still remain alert and ready to take control while using Full Self-Driving — the name is pretty misleading, as the car still can’t actually fully drive itself, and you shouldn’t expect it to.

So which mode lets you nap behind the wheel? Sorry, none of them. But that hasn’t stopped sleepy drivers from trying .

The self-driving capabilities of Tesla have been the subject of much scrutiny. For one, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigating the use of Autopilot in 2021 due to several accidents in which the feature was involved. The results of the investigation eventually led to a recall of over 360,000 Tesla vehicles using the Full Self-Driving beta. According to the official report, the NHTSA found that the system could cause vehicles to “act unsafe” when approaching intersections and some failed to stop appropriately.

Aside from the recall, it’s important to note that Tesla itself does not claim that any of its self-driving features can be used without a “fully attentive driver.” According to its owner manual , the company says drivers should “never depend on Autosteer to determine an appropriate driving path” and that Autosteer is a “hands-on feature.” Whether or not drivers follow those guidelines is another story — but it’s clear that no Tesla is ready to drive you from point A to point B while you take a nap.

Editors' Recommendations

• How to add Bluetooth to an older car
• Is Tesla Full Self-Driving worth it?
• Tesla hopes full self-driving beta will be out globally by the end of 2022
• Tesla issues stark warning to drivers using its Full Self-Driving mode
• Elon Musk suggests Autopilot was off in fatal Texas Tesla crash

Don't let the name Autopilot fool you: None of the cars in Tesla's current range are capable of driving themselves. Instead, Autopilot is a partially automated system that is regularly improved via over-the-air software updates. It relies on eight surround-view cameras that give the car 360-degree visibility for up to 820 feet, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a forward-facing radar. Tesla has regularly stressed that, unlike its rivals, it doesn't believe in lidar technology.

The data gathered by Autopilot's hardware allows the car to steer, accelerate, and brake automatically within its lane, commonly called adaptive cruise control, though the company warns the system requires active driver supervision. In other words, even if your Model S can steer itself around a bend, you shouldn't be watching a movie while you cruise down I-80 at 75 mph. There are many circumstances Autopilot can't handle on its own, and the driver could be asked to take over without notice.

Autonomous car company Waymo says it will stop using the term “self-driving” in a move that many will see as a swipe at Tesla.

Alphabet-owned Waymo said that starting this year it will refer to its driving technology as “fully autonomous.”

A Tesla enthusiast has posted a video showing a Model 3 Performance vehicle traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles, California in Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta mode, with almost no human intervention necessary during the entire trip.

The video (above), spotted by Teslarati, has been sped up to compress the 380-mile journey int0 15 minutes of footage, though it’s still easy to see the vehicle’s driving decisions play out on its touchscreen display.

Screen Rant

Does the tesla model 3 have autopilot here's what you get.

Autopilot is one of the most well-known features of Tesla's expensive vehicles. But is it also available on the cheaper Tesla Model 3?

Autopilot is one of Tesla's   most iconic (and controversial) features. While it's readily available on the Model S and Model X, is Autopilot also on the cheaper Tesla Model 3? One of the biggest hurdles for buying a Tesla is the high price associated with most models . The Tesla Model S starts at $104,490 and goes up to at least $140,490 for the Plaid model. The Tesla Model X is even more expensive, starting at $120,490 for the baseline model and going up to at least $144,490 for the Plaid version.

That's what makes the Tesla Model 3 so appealing. While it's not necessarily 'cheap,' the $48,490 starting price is substantially more affordable than the Model S or Model X. Even splurging for the highest-end Model 3 Performance only takes the price up to $62,990 — multiple thousands of dollars cheaper than the cheapest Model S.

Related:  Lucid Air Dream Edition Vs. Tesla Model S Plaid

But Tesla didn't reach the low price of the Model 3 without making a few compromises. Compared to the Model S, the Model 3 has less horsepower , a shorter range, and a lower top speed. One feature that remains the same, however, is Autopilot. Just like all other Tesla vehicles, the Tesla Model 3 does have Autopilot functionality .

Everything You Can Do With Autopilot On The Model 3

The first Autopilot feature you get on the Model 3 is Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. This allows the Model 3 to sense if a vehicle is in front of it and automatically adjust its speed accordingly. The Model 3 also comes with Autosteer. Autosteer is an extension of Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and enables the Model 3 to make steering adjustments on its own. If the Model 3 detects lane markings or other cars/objects, it 'assists you in steering' to make sure you stay on course .

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer are included for free on every Tesla Model 3. Regardless of which version you purchase or how you customize it, those two features are standard for the vehicle. However, if you want more expansive self-driving features, you'll need to purchase Tesla's Full Self-Driving Package. This can be purchased as a $12,000 add-on before or after buying the Model 3.

The Full Self-Driving Package takes the standard Autopilot features and cranks them up to 11. A prime example of this is Auto Lane Change. If you're driving on a highway, Auto Lane Change lets the Model 3 analyze the car in front of you and make a lane change/merge entirely on its own. The Full Self-Driving Package also allows the Model 3 to automatically drive on and off highway ramps, automatically park itself, navigate to you from a parking lot with the Summon feature, and automatically stop/slow down when it detects traffic lights and stop signs.

Is any of that actually worth $12,000? If you do a lot of long road trips and have the cash to burn, the extra functionality of the Full Self-Driving Package is convenient to have. But if not, there's no reason to rush out and buy it. The Tesla Model 3 is still a perfectly capable vehicle without it — and thanks to standard Autopilot features like Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer — you still get some self-driving smarts without needing to pay extra.

Next:  What Is The Tesla Robotaxi & When Will It Launch?

Source: Tesla

How to use Tesla Autopilot

Get to grips with Tesla's autonomous driver assistance

Modern cars have a lot of great features to handle some of the burden of driving, in a way that almost feels like science fiction. But no autonomous driver assistance system is more well known than Tesla Autopilot , which has been pushing the boundaries of car autonomy for several years 

Despite the fact there have been some Autopilot-induced Tesla recalls over the years, it remains one of the major benefits of owning a tesla — alongside access to the Tesla Supercharger network.

When you're driving with Autopilot, it almost feels like the car is driving itself. But it relies on you being able to know what it can do and, crucially, how to use everything correctly. So, whether you're already a Tesla driver or are thinking about braving the Tesla wait times to purchase one, here's how to use Tesla Autopilot.

Once you're out on the road, activating and using Tesla Autopilot is incredibly easy. But it does differ depending on which kind of Tesla you have. Here's how to get things going.

How to activate Tesla Autopilot on Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

1. Locate the gear stalk on the right-hand side of the steering wheel.

2. Pull the stalk down twice in quick succession. 

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.

Upgrade your life with a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and our curated analysis. Be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets and the hottest deals.

3. The car will beep at you twice, and both the gray steering wheel icon and lane markers on your center display will turn blue.

4. Turn the steering wheel's right scroll wheel up and down to adjust maximum speed, or left and right to adjust stopping distance.

5. To deactivate, gently press the brake pedal or push the gear stalk up. It's possible to disengage Autosteer, but not traffic aware cruise control, by gently turning the wheel.

How to activate Tesla Autopilot on Tesla Model S and Model X

1. Press in on the scroll wheel on the right side of the steering yoke. Press twice if the traffic aware cruise control option is enabled in the car's settings.

2. Older versions of both cars will have a dedicated stalk for cruise control to the left of the steering wheel. Pull this down twice in quick succession to activate Autopilot — as you would with a Model 3 or Model Y.

3. Once Autopilot engages, the car will beep twice at you, with both the steering wheel icon and lane markers on the driver display turning blue.

4.  Maximum speed can be adjusted by turning the same scroll wheel up and down. Following distance can only be adjusted from the Autopilot menu on the central display

5. To disengage Autopilot by pressing the scroll wheel again, or gently press the brake pedal. If TACC is enabled in the settings, you can deactivate Autosteer and leave cruise control on by gently turning the yoke.

How to use Tesla Autopilot's Auto Lane Change

Unlike activating Autopilot, which differs slightly based on the Tesla model you're driving, Auto Lane Change is exactly the same across all four types of Tesla. Here's how to use it:

1. Go into the Autopilot settings and make sure the Auto Lane Change option is enabled.

2. Once driving, activate Autopilot and Autosteer.

3. Check your mirrors and blind spot, waiting for a gap in traffic.

4. Activate your turn signal as you normally would.

5. Allow your car to automatically switch lanes, but keep watch to ensure you don't need to retake control.

How to use Tesla Autopilot's Autopark and Summon features

Parking can be kind of a drag, but your Tesla Autopilot can handle most of the hard stuff for you — even going to far as to locate suitable parking spaces. Here's how:

1. Make sure you're driving slowly — under 15 mph for parallel parking and under 10 mph for perpendicular parking. This will cause the Tesla to automatically search for potential parking locations.

2. Look for the gray P icon on your instrument panel or center display. This appears when your car locates a suitable parking spot.

3. Press the brake and shift into reverse. Keep your foot on the brake.

4. Select "Start Autopark" when it appears on the center display.

5. Release the brake and steering wheel.

Summon essentially does this in reverse. Here's how to get your Tesla out of those awkward parking spaces:

1. Open the Tesla app.

2. Press "Summon" followed by the forward or reverse buttons, depending on how your car needs to pull out. Model S or Model X owners can also achieve this by holding the center of their key fob for three seconds, followed by the frunk (forwards) or trunk (backwards) button.

3. Get out of the way while your car maneuvers out of its parking space.

Smart Summon takes this a step further, allowing you to remotely summon your Tesla from its parking spot to your location. There are limits to the distance it will travel, but it saves you hunting down your car.

2. Press "Smart Summon"

3. Choose either "Come to Me" to summon the car to your location. Alternatively press the target button, choose a location on the map, and hold the "Go to Target" button. In both cases you will need to keep hold of the button until your car arrives at the right spot.

Tesla Autopilot vs Traffic Aware Cruise Control

Tesla Autopilot in its current form is what's known as a Level 2 autonomous driving system. The broad definition of this is that the car is able to simultaneously control steering and acceleration without driver input — but not to the extent that the driver can stop paying attention. For a more detailed breakdown, here's what all the levels of autonomous driving mean .

Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC) is Tesla's name for adaptive cruise control — a level 1 autonomous system. The key difference here is that level 1 systems can control acceleration and steering, just not at the same time. But it differentiates itself from classic cruise control because it can react to other cars on the road.

On an empty road, TACC will accelerate to whatever maximum speed the driver has set. Should you find yourself behind a slower car, TACC will automatically brake and adjust that speed to avoid driving into the back of it. Should the car in front of you turn off the road, or if you overtake it, the system will automatically start accelerating to the previous top speed.

TACC is a crucial part of the Autopilot system, but on its own it still relies on the driver to control the car's position. It's only once Autosteer is engaged that the car is able to start doing that by itself. That way the car can keep itself between definite lane markings, even when the road itself isn't completely straight.

And no, you can't have Autosteer on without cruise control. That's not the way the system is set up.

When you can use Tesla Autopilot

The main thing to remember about Tesla Autopilot is that it won't engage if the right conditions aren't met. Generally speaking, the car will happily engage Autosteer features so long as it can detect clear lane markings — as you would on any highway or major road. 

However the fact Autopilot can be engaged doesn't mean Autopilot should be engaged. Remember, despite its name the system is not truly autonomous, and in its basic form is little more than an advanced cruise control.

Autopilot is best suited to long stretches of relatively straight road, without lots of tight turns and bends. 

Also be aware that some features are locked behind different Autopilot tiers. Auto Lane Change, for instance, is part of the $6,000 Enhanced Autopilot package. Meanwhile, Traffic light and stop sign controls are exclusive to the Full Self Driving Autopilot — which currently costs $15,000. Make sure you know the difference between the two before you drive.

If conditions are suitable for Autopilot, then you'll see a gray steering wheel appear on the driver information display. Meanwhile the TACC availability symbol takes the form of your set maximum speed, also in gray. Both of these will turn blue when their respective system is engaged.

On the Model S and Model X, you can find both symbols on the instrument cluster next to your speedometer. In the Model 3 and Model Y they can be found at the very top of the central display, on the driver's side.

TACC can be activated even if Autopilot isn't available, but if those symbols don't appear then the Autopilot system won't engage — no matter how many times you try.

Tesla Autopilot has its limits

Despite what Tesla's branding may suggest, there are no truly autonomous cars on the road by now. Instead, what we have are autonomous driver assistance systems (ADAS). To the casual observer it does appear as though the car is driving itself, but there are some serious limitations to what an ADAS system can actually do.

While they're really good at following pre-programmed instructions in optimal conditions, any variation can throw a wrench in the works. That's why all car companies, including Tesla, try to emphasize the fact that there has to be an alert driver behind the wheel and ready to take control at all times.

Because there will be situations where the car can't react correctly, or does something stupid that a regular human driver wouldn't dream of doing. The many reports of phantom braking in Teslas and non-Teslas alike are the perfect example of this.

So when the car tells you that you to keep your hands on the wheel, there's a very good reason for it. You absolutely should not try and trick the car into thinking otherwise, nor should you do anything than pay attention to the road ahead. That includes texting, playing games on the Tesla's screen or having a nap on the back seat.

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

Tesla just recalled every Cybertruck over dangerous accelerator pedal flaw — what you need to know

5 coolest cars we saw at the New York Auto Show 2024

I'm a sleep writer — 5 things I look for in a good hybrid mattress (plus the 3 I'd buy)

Most Popular

• 2 Arlo Home Security Kit review
• 3 3 great Clara Bow movies to stream for Taylor Swift fans
• 4 Huge Google smart home sale at Amazon — here’s 9 deals I recommend up to 55% off
• 5 'Alien' TV show — everything we know so far

Free Shipping Over $100

Forgot your password?

March 01, 2023

Understanding Tesla's different Autopilot software packages

Guest post: Blane Erwin,  Current Automotive  

It might not be robotaxi-ready yet, but Autopilot is already one of the leading semi-autonomous driving software suites available today. It has tons of features, is constantly being improved upon, and is the single biggest option most consider when considering a Tesla. 

Source: Tesla

It’s also one of the most confusing features from Tesla. With four different hardware versions and four different software packages released over the years, it’s tough to keep track of what was available when, and what each system can do. It’s easier to understand the software once you know about the hardware that makes it all work. For a quick refresher,  check out our comprehensive overview of Tesla's Autopilot Hardware . 

In short, Autopilot is really just a catch-all term that refers to Tesla’s entire suite of semi-autonomous driving features. Each feature has a specific task, such as maintaining speed, steering, or parking. Over the years, Tesla has sold four different Autopilot software packages that bundle these features together in different ways.

Tesla Autopilot Features

Traffic Aware Cruise Control   uses the Tesla’s radar to lock-on to the vehicle in front of it and match its speed. Unlike many other automaker’s adaptive cruise control systems, Traffic Aware Cruise Control will bring Tesla all the way down to a stop and back up to speed again with no driver input required.

Autosteer   uses the Tesla’s cameras to track lane lines. The car will then provide steering input necessary to keep a Tesla centered in its lane. While many other automakers use reactive “lane keep assist” systems that will bounce the car off of lane lines, Tesla actually steers proactively to handle relatively significant curves in the road. It cannot currently handle turns at intersections, and Tesla requires the driver to keep their hands on the wheel for the ability to make fast corrections as needed.

Auto Lane Change   will automatically make a lane change. Initiate the lane change with the turn signal, indicating the desired lane. Autopilot will verify (or wait) for that lane to clear, then move the car over on its own.

Autopark   will park the Tesla autonomously – hands off, for real. Drive at low speeds along parking spots, waiting for the screen to indicate that it sees a parking spot. The spot needs to be near other vehicles, as the car uses its sonar sensors to look for the space – it can’t see the painted lines. When it does find a suitable spot, put the car in reverse and click “Begin” on the Autopark prompt on the center screen. Autopark can park in both parallel and perpendicular parking spots.

Youtube: Current Automotive

Summon   allows the car to move without anyone inside of it, and it comes in two flavors: Basic Summon and Smart Summon. Basic Summon only allows straight forward and backwards movement while the driver pushes a button on the Tesla App. Smart Summon will enable the Tesla to autonomously navigate its way to the driver in a parking lot.

Navigate on Autopilot   (beta) allows semi-autonomous driving and navigation from on-ramp to off-ramp on the highway. If the driver enters a destination that requires highway driving into the navigation system, an option for Navigate on Autopilot will appear. Navigate on Autopilot will make lane changes to overtake traffic, move out of the passing lane, make exits, and will travel through highway interchanges with no driver input required.

Stop Sign and Traffic Light Control   (beta) is the first feature meant for use on city streets. Tesla vehicles with this feature can see and respond to stop signs and traffic signals. As of right now, the car will slow down for all signals (even if they’re green). The driver must give a confirmation tap on the drive selector stalk or accelerator pedal for the car to continue through an intersection.

Autosteer on City Streets   (unreleased) is still unknown in scope. Based on the name, a reasonable expectation might be that it will be able to handle sharper turns typical of city streets and turn through intersections after the driver indicates the turn with the stalk.

Tesla Autopilot Software Packages

The above features have been bundled in four different ways over the years, as laid out in the chart below. Please note that this chart reflects the historical price for Enhanced Autopilot, not the upgrade Tesla suddenly made available from September 19 to September 30, 2020. During this brief time period, vehicles with base Autopilot will be eligible to upgrade to Enhanced Autopilot for $4,000. Full Self Driving remains a $5,000 upgrade for vehicles with Enhanced Autopilot, so it will be cheaper for vehicles with Autopilot to go straight to Full Self Driving – a total of $8,000 – than it would for them to first upgrade to Enhanced Autopilot, then upgrade again to Full Self Driving – a total of $9,000.

Source: Current Automotive

Full Self Driving is listed twice because it has been sold during two distinct time periods. Any car with Full Self Driving will have the same features, but the price paid for FSD may have differed depending on the time it was purchased.

Upgrade paths are available for all vehicles with any version of Autopilot Hardware. Tesla vehicles with Autopilot Hardware 1.0 but without Autopilot 1 software can still upgrade today, even though Autopilot 1 hasn’t been available new since 2016.

Vehicles with Autopilot Hardware 2.0 or greater can upgrade to basic Autopilot for $3,000, and cars with Basic Autopilot or Enhanced Autopilot can upgrade to Full Self Driving for $8,000 and $5,000 respectively.

Tesla has slowly been raising the price of Full Self Driving and may continue to do so in the future. The company has also said plans are in place to offer subscription options by the end of the year.

This story is an excerpt from an earlier article via  Current Automotive ; Editor's Note: Current Automotive is the first-ever U.S. car  retailer   focused exclusively on used electric cars  launched by two former Tesla employees.  

• Autonomous Vehicle
• self-driving cars
• Tesla Autopilot
• Previous post

In same blog

The Electric Vehicle Revolution: Charging Infrastructure Expansion in the U.S.

Tesla Recalls All Cybertrucks Due to Accelerator Pedal Issue

How EVANNEX aftermarket parts can help you sustain your aging Tesla Model S

What's new.

• Best Sellers
• Wheels & Accessories
• Maintenance
• Cleaning & Detailing
• Garage & Tools
• Roadside Emergency
• Gifts & Apparel
• Shop by Brand
• Evannex Sales
• Clearance Items
• In The News
• Testimonials
• Improve Your Tesla
• Learn About Tesla
• choosing a selection results in a full page refresh

• Car Companies

• AutoPilot Tech

Tesla Autopilot vs Enhanced Autopilot – What’s the Difference?

Tesla has changed its Autopilot lineup several times over the years to simplify its offerings and more clearly distinguish between basic driver assistance functions and autonomous driving capabilities. As such, it’s changed the definition between Autopilot and Enhanced Autopilot along the way. It can be confusing for anyone trying to make sense of the Autopilot options, especially if you’re considering a previously owned Tesla.

In this article, we outline the options and if you want even more information, but sure to check out the Autopilot vs Full Self-Driving article.

Original Autopilot Option Lineup

For background, prior to 2019, Autopilot had three tiers:

• ‘Standard’ Autopilot  – this was essentially active safety like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Enhanced Autopilot  – a paid option that included auto steering plus distance cruise-control, summon, autopark and Navigate-on-Autopilot.
• Full Self-Driving  which was a prepaid option and supposed to be fully autonomous Level 5 ( what do Levels mean? ) driving.

The grand promise of autonomous Full Self-Driving never materialized and only added confusion as a prepaid option, so Tesla removed it. However, it Tesla kept adding more-and-more autonomous features, like Navigate-on-Autopilot to the Enhanced Autopilot tier, muddying the waters and leaving everyone to wonder what “Full Self-Driving” really meant and when it will finally be released.

With the Autopilot lineup changes in 2019, Tesla made a clear distinction between assisted driving features, called Autopilot, and autonomous driving features that fall into the Full-Self Driving bucket. Active safety features were no longer branded and included as a baseline feature with every Tesla sold.

The 2019 – 2022 Autopilot Lineup

Tesla changed the Autopilot options in early 2019 and removed the “Enhanced Autopilot” option, leaving only “Full Self-Driving” as a paid option. The lineup now looks like this:

• Traffic Aware Cruise Control.  (TACC). This stop-and-go distance cruise control will follow other cars, stop in traffic and automatically resume.
• Automatic Steering / Lane Centering . This keeps the vehicle in the lane when used with TACC above.
• Navigate-on-Autopilot.  When a destination is entered, the vehicle can fully navigate itself to the destination (currently only on freeways from on-ramp to exit and with a confirmation for lane changes).
• Auto Lane Changes.  When using both TACC + Automatic Steering, a driver can use the turn signal to automatically change lanes when it’s clear.
• Summon . Allows the vehicle to be summoned from its current location to another location nearby (in private parking lots, for example).
• Autopark.  This allows the vehicle to park itself in both parallel and perpendicular spots.
• Traffic Light & Stop Sign Recognition.  Currently alerts you at the last moment if there is a stop sign or traffic light (will not stop the vehicle) while on Autopilot.
• Automatic City Driving.  Now called Full-Self Driving Beta which gives a glimpse of what’s to come.

The 2022-2024 Autopilot Lineup

In June 2022, Tesla again changed the Autopilot lineup and brought back “Enhanced Autopilot” as an option allowing them to purchase a less expensive tier to gain access to popular features such as Auto Lane Change and Navigate on Autopilot.

• Traffic Aware Cruise Control.  
• Automatic Steering / Lane Centering .
• Navigate-on-Autopilot
• Auto Lane Changes
• Traffic Light & Stop Sign Recognition
• Automatic City Driving

The 2024 Autopilot Lineup

In April 2024, Tesla changed the Autopilot lineup and removed “Enhanced Autopilot” once again, leaving only the standard Autopilot and the option to purchase Full Self-Driving.

• Navigate on Autopilot
• Auto Lane Change
• Summon & Smart Summon
• Autosteer on City Streets
• Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control

What Should I Get?

OK, so now the big question is, which package is worth it? Be sure to check out this article:

• Autopilot vs Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving – Is it Worth It?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: What if I already bought Enhanced Autopilot (EAP)? A:  If you previously purchased Enhanced Autopilot on a recent vehicle, as of this writing, you should be able to upgrade to FSD for $2,000.

Q: What if I already bought Enhanced Autopilot (EAP), but want to upgrade to Full Self-Driving (FSD)? A:  Previously, customers who bought Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) and want to upgrade to the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package could do so. That said, be sure to check your app or with Tesla for the latest pricing.

Q: What if I didn’t buy Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) or Full Self-Driving (FSD) previously but want to upgrade? A:  According to Tesla people who bought a Tesla prior to March 1, 2019 and want to upgrade to Autopilot or FSD can do so at half the cost of the post-purchase price. They previously posted a blog post about this, which has since been removed, so it’s unclear if this is still offered.

Q: What if I already bought Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) or Full Self-Driving (FSD) previously? A:  According to Tesla those customers will receive an invitation to Tesla’s Early Access Program (EAP). They previously posted a blog post about this, which has since been removed, so it’s unclear if this is still offered.

Q: Why is Autopark part of a paid package when most other manufacturers have that standard? A:  Good question! We believe it’s because this is more of a convenience feature and has more ‘autonomous’-like characteristics, but we agree it should be part of the Autopilot option, given that every other car manufacturer also offers it these days.

Q: What about Sentry Mode, Dog Mode and Dashcam? A:   These are not part of the Autopilot packages and are included in all Teslas with current hardware.

Q: Is this really autonomous Full-Self Driving? If not, why did they name it that? A:  The Full Self-Driving (FSD) option is not really “full self-driving” – it still requires driver attentiveness. So why did they call it that? Our assumption is, because the FSD tier existed previously and was sold to customers, they needed to finally roll it out or refund customers. It also allows Tesla to add more advanced features that require  Hardware 3 (AP3)  that is included with the FSD option.

The Bottom Line

We like the clarity this brings to the Autopilot naming scheme since ‘standard’ Autopilot as a designation for Active Safety features before, didn’t make much sense. That said, the “Full Self-Driving” name is a bit confusing when it still requires driver attention (i.e. it’s not really “Full Self-Driving”, at least not for a few more years to come).

We’re excited to see all the things to come with the Full Self-Driving option, particularly with Hardware 4 rolling out and the Full Self Driving Beta underway.

Learn More…

Learn more about Autopilot and Full Self-Driving details in our  Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Review .

Not sure what package to get, check out this article:

Don’t Forget Your Referral Code

If you’re thinking of buying a Tesla, don’t forget your Tesla referral code to earn credits toward Free Supercharging, and more!

Get Tesla Referral Code

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest tesla autopilot software updates, tesla autopilot – what does it do and how does it work, tesla autopilot vs full self-driving (fsd) – worth it, most popular, tesla fsd v12.3.5 rolling out. now $99/mo. or $8k to purchase, tesla referral program code for free supercharging & more, cars with autopilot in 2024.

© AutoPilot Review

Tesla Autopilot Is Just Better Cruise Control — Anyone Who Thinks It Should Be Banned Is Acting Stupid

Tesla has produced well over a million cars. Some of those cars get into accidents. As it turns out, a much smaller percentage of them get into accidents each year than cars in the overall US fleet do. Though, without a doubt, the attention Tesla accidents get from national and international press is orders of magnitude higher than the attention given to accidents from any other brand vehicle. I’ll come back to the misinformation swirling around the latest accident in a moment. First, though, I want to try to explain something that somehow goes over the heads of so many Tesla critics.

The daily calls to ban Tesla Autopilot are mind-bogglingly stupid. Tesla Autopilot is essentially just an advanced version of cruise control. Old-school cruise control let you set a speed and drive that speed without putting your food on the pedal. Cool stuff. As tech in this realm improved and evolved, we also got adaptive cruise control — which would slow down the car if cars in front of it slowed down. Cool beans. Then leaders in the market started implementing systems that would also keep the car in the lane. (Though, many early versions ended up ping ponging the car from one lane marking to the other and back so much that the systems were more annoying than useful.)

What does Tesla Autopilot do now? For the hundreds of thousands of owners who bought an advanced Autopilot package, you get a superb version of everything above ( no ping-ponging ) as well as the ability to initiate automatic lane changes and have the car automatically go from on-ramp to off-ramp on the Interstate — with your supervision. Tesla Autopilot is just another step forward in this long evolution of driver-assist technology, and I have never met a Tesla driver who thought otherwise.

The current advanced-Autopilot package is called “Full Self-Driving” because firmware updates are expected to eventually create a system that can fully drive the car without human intervention from any Point A to any Point B. No new hardware is supposed to be needed, just firmware updates. I’m quite certain everyone who owns a Tesla knows that the car cannot drive itself from Point A to Point B without human supervision — and even everyone who doesn’t have a Tesla should know that too, imho). Also, there is no button to turn on “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) in the car. I have the FSD package, but if I want to use any of the driver-assist (advanced cruise control) features, I have to initiate “Autopilot” — it is the name of the in-car application.

So, let me just reiterate this: Tesla Autopilot is simply an advanced version of old-school cruise control — and I think that everyone driving a Tesla is aware of this.

Somehow, despite this fact, some people think Tesla shouldn’t be allowed to include automated driving features in its cars. (Only other brands should be allowed to include such features — inferior versions of them — in their cars.) Unfortunately, it’s not just wackadoodles making this argument. Actually serious (and verified!) business and transportation journalists are!

Whether NHTSA gets tough on Tesla's marketing and use of automated systems, which NTSB has said is dangerous, remains one of the biggest questions hanging over Bidens DOT https://t.co/uxc7VW3ld2 — Sam Mintz (@samjmintz) April 18, 2021

Goodness gracious. This brings such a bad look to such an important profession. Democracy dies without good journalism, and the field has been under enormous attack in the past several years, weakening one of the bedrocks of US democracy, but it’s a special kind of shame to see people in the field hurting the profession’s reputation by making illogical arguments.

Aside from everything I wrote above, the big hubbub about this unfortunately deadly accident in Spring, Texas, seems to be a bit misinformed. Apparently, this accident happened on an unmarked residential street. You cannot turn Autopilot on on an unmarked residential street. It will chime very loudly at you and tell you that you can’t turn on Autopilot. I just confirmed this again myself on a residential road on the way to the grocery store where the car showed that it could identify where the center of the road was but would not turn on Autopilot because of a lack of lane markings. Tesla owner Alan Dail explains it well:

And here’s a video demonstration of the point:

No lane lines, no Autopilot. It’s that simple. It can continue it the lane lines get faded or disappear, yes. But it won’t turn on. @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/1oydg3t1wR — Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) April 18, 2021

Edit/update: Yes, there are instances where you can get Autopilot to engage if it is tricked into thinking something is a lane marking. That’s extra unlikely at night due to worse visibility, but it is technically possible. If someone was really gung-ho about tricking the car, for example, they could draw lane markings on a street with chalk. Again, this seems highly unlikely in this scenario unless the people involved were dedicated to tricking the car in multiple ways.

Also noteworthy:

https://twitter.com/TeslaFruit/status/1383959800107524096

So, yes, it’s unfortunate that two men died in a Tesla on a residential street after a seemingly horrible accident, but it had no connection to Autopilot or the FSD Beta that very few people have access to. More likely than not, the driver decided to accelerate at a dangerous level and drove off the road very quickly into a tree. As sad as that is, it happens with all kinds of vehicles every day in rather large volumes. Even more so, guys driving performance cars have a higher tendency to do this.

Why wasn’t someone in the driver’s seat? I don’t know, but they could have been thrown out of the seat if they didn’t have a seatbelt on, or perhaps they moved from one seat to another for some reason.

Why are some people with blue checkmarks on Twitter calling for Tesla Autopilot and/or FSD to be banned in response to this news? Perhaps because they’ve been obsessively commenting on Tesla in this way for years and they can’t get over the fact that they are wrong about this topic? Or perhaps they’ve honestly never learned what Autopilot is and what it isn’t, what it can do and what it can’t, and how Tesla communicates all of that to Tesla drivers. Perhaps they are obsessed with the idea that Tesla should fail, or with the idea that it should be held to different standards simply because its tech is popular.

Tesla offers the most advanced version of cruise control on the market. The term “Autopilot” is used because just like in a plane using autopilot, the human in control gets some assistance from the automation systems onboard, and Elon likes things that fly and used to fly a lot himself. “Full Self-Driving” is a package you can add to your Tesla for $10,000. I don’t think people pay $10,000 for something without finding out what it does and what it doesn’t do. It is well known — especially by people paying $10,000 for the product — that the firmware is supposed to be improved routinely until the point where your car can drive itself without supervision, and people who paid several thousand dollars for FSD are eagerly waiting for the firmware update that makes that happen, and that also allows you to send your car out as a robotaxi. If you bought FSD, every time there’s an over-the-air updated, you read the update notes to see how your car has improved. You don’t just assume that your car can suddenly drive itself just because Elon Musk tweeted something about tech that’s in development. And, no, no one is assuming they turned robotaxi-level Full Self Driving on and then accelerating quickly into a tree.

I wish I could say this is the last time I’m going to respond to stupid statements from relatively high-profile people about Tesla driver-assist features and why they should supposedly be banned, or renamed Boring Pilot or something. Unfortunately, there’s a clear and strong push by certain people to try to get the Biden administration to cripple Tesla cars and bring them down to the level of inferior products that are less safe. So, I feel compelled to respond rather than enjoyably writing about more fun topics.

By the way, CNN or CNBC or MSNBC or Fox News , if you’re going to cover this or related stories, I’d be happy to come on to talk about them. I’ve been covering Tesla professionally since 2012, have co-owned a 2015 Tesla Model S with Tesla’s first-generation Autopilot, and now own a Tesla Model 3 with the Full Self-Driving package.

According to the media, For most cars, it’s your job to drive responsibly. Unless you buy a Tesla -then you need to find ways to trick all of the safety features. If Tesla can’t stop you, it’s their fault. — 🐶 𝔼𝕒𝕣𝕝 of FrunkPuppy 🐶 (@28delayslater) April 19, 2021

Latest CleanTechnica.TV Video

Share this story!

Zachary shahan.

Zach is tryin' to help society help itself one word at a time. He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director, chief editor, and CEO. Zach is recognized globally as an electric vehicle, solar energy, and energy storage expert. He has presented about cleantech at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Canada, and Curaçao. Zach has long-term investments in Tesla [TSLA], NIO [NIO], Xpeng [XPEV], Ford [F], ChargePoint [CHPT], Amazon [AMZN], Piedmont Lithium [PLL], Lithium Americas [LAC], Albemarle Corporation [ALB], Nouveau Monde Graphite [NMGRF], Talon Metals [TLOFF], Arclight Clean Transition Corp [ACTC], and Starbucks [SBUX]. But he does not offer (explicitly or implicitly) investment advice of any sort.

Zachary Shahan has 7377 posts and counting. See all posts by Zachary Shahan

How GM Ultra Cruise Differs From Tesla's Autopilot

GM's Ultra Cruise differs from Tesla's Full Self-Driving tech in a few key areas, ranging from the sensors that power them to how they're portrayed to potential buyers.

GM Ultra Cruise Not Tesla's Autopilot

General Motors

2024 Cadillac Celestiq

The Cadillac Celestiq is on its way for the 2024 model year, bringing ultra-high-end styling and luxury and a sky-high price tag. Beyond its lavish build quality and futuristic styling, the upcoming EV will debut a new semi-autonomous driving function for General Motors. Called Ultra Cruise, the feature builds on the existing hands-free Super Cruise function with more advanced hands-free features and sensors.

Though it’s more advanced than the existing system, GM is careful not to label Ultra Cruise as an autonomous driving system, saying that drivers will still need to pay attention at all times. The marketing and language surrounding Ultra Cruise is a departure from the way Tesla portrays its full self-driving (FSD) system, but there are a few other significant differences to note.

Advertisement

Unlike FSD, which lets drivers hand over control on city streets and other scenarios, Ultra Cruise’s functionality will be limited on rollout. It won’t work in roundabouts, intersections and parking lots at first, and will hand over control to the driver in those situations. The functionality will improve over time, however, eventually covering almost every paved road.

Another significant difference between GM’s Ultra Cruise and Tesla FSD is the sensor setup that guides each system. Tesla relies on cameras only to view and absorb data about the world around the vehicle, while Ultra Cruise uses short- and long-range radars in addition to cameras. GM also incorporates LiDAR behind the windshield and another camera inside to monitor the driver’s attention levels.

Perhaps the most significant difference between the two is how they’re advertised to prospective buyers. Tesla is under investigation for crashes that took place while drivers were using its FSD technology. The automaker hasn’t done much to curb the perception that vehicles can actually drive themselves when equipped with the tech. Its beta test program is running on public roads in the hands of everyday drivers, so it’s easy to see how things could go sideways.

General Motors is taking a more measured approach to the Ultra Cruise rollout, saying that its fundamental strategy is to safely release the functions to the public. Its testing regimen has examined the handoff point between tech and human control, saying that the most consistent and clear operation presents the safest situation.

Super Cruise offers hands-free driving on highways and is available in several vehicles, including the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Silverado and others. Ultra Cruise will be far more limited to start, with availability only on the insanely expensive and bespoke Celestiq EV. Even so, the rollout to other models will be faster than it was with Super Cruise. However, GM said it was not ready to make promises on which functions would be available at launch due to its extensive and ongoing testing.

Save on your monthly payments! Find the best local prices on your next car.

U.S. News Best Cars Awards

• Best Cars for the Money
• Best Cars for Families
• Best Vehicle Brands

Recommended Articles

Cars Features

Dodge Charger Daytona

Caroline Anschutz Nov. 20, 2023

Ford F-150 vs. Ford F-250: Head-to-Head

Warren Clarke Nov. 17, 2023

How Much Do EVs Pollute?

Caroline Anschutz July 21, 2023

Why Are EVs Clogging Dealer Lots?

Kristin Shaw July 21, 2023

Tesla Cybertruck Fits In Your Garage

Kevin Williams July 21, 2023

Porsche to Offer 700 HP Cayenne PHEV

Jim Motavalli July 20, 2023

Comparison: GM Super Cruise vs. Tesla Autopilot

GM's Super Cruise and Tesla's Autopilot are both Level 2 autonomous driving systems, but here's how they stack up against each other

Read update

As the landscape of driver-assistance technologies continues to evolve, this article has been meticulously reviewed and refreshed. This revision not only guarantees the accuracy of the information regarding both GM Super Cruise and Tesla Autopilot, but also delves into significant developments and feature additions within these systems.

In the not-so-distant past, the idea of a car whipping down the highway without a human at the wheel was the stuff of Jetsons cartoons and science fiction. Today, however, that vision is rapidly inching closer to reality. Car companies around the globe are in a heated race to develop autonomous driving technology , with some vehicles already offering a taste of this futuristic way of travel.

However, navigating this exciting new frontier can be tricky for potential buyers. Unlike a trip to the gas station, choosing a car with semi-autonomous features requires careful consideration. Each automaker has its own approach, resulting in a diverse range of systems with unique strengths and weaknesses.

Consider two of the biggest names in the industry: General Motors (GM) and Tesla . GM throws its hat into the ring with Super Cruise, a system it hails as "the first true hands-free driver assistance technology for compatible roads." This implies a high level of automation, allowing for extended stretches of highway driving with minimal human intervention.

On the other hand, Tesla equips its new models with Autopilot , a program designed to usher in a new era of driving ease. Both Super Cruise and Autopilot represent significant advancements on the road to full autonomy, but this duo raises the question of which system truly stands out as the most promising.

UPDATE: 2024/04/13 07:00 EST BY ANIEBIET INYANG NTUI

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from GM, Tesla and other reliable sources such as CarBuzz and HotCars.

10 Things You Should Know About Cadillac’s Super Cruise

Gm super cruise.

Just over a decade ago, in April 2013, General Motors (GM) first announced the development of Super Cruise , aiming to revolutionize highway driving with a semi-autonomous system. This technology marked a significant step on the path towards achieving fully autonomous vehicles, envisioned for the future of transportation.

Today, Super Cruise stands out as a Level 2 driver-assistance system, offering drivers a compelling hands-free experience on compatible highways. While it does not fully replace human driving, Super Cruise represents an "innovative" leap forward , making long-distance travel more comfortable and convenient.

The Technology Behind Super Cruise

Imagine cruising down the highway, enjoying the scenery, and letting your Chevy handle much of the driving for you. That's the promise of SuperCruise, a hands-free driver assistance technology for compatible roads . It's a sophisticated suite of technologies designed to enhance your highway driving experience while keeping you firmly in control.

• Sensor Fusion: Super Cruise seamlessly merges data from multiple sources to build a comprehensive picture of the driving environment. This includes high-resolution cameras for precise lane positioning, LiDAR mapping for detailed road information, radars to detect surrounding vehicles, and GPS for real-time location awareness.
• Automated Steering and Braking: Under suitable conditions, Super Cruise can take control of steering and braking, enabling extended periods of hands-free driving on compatible highways. This reduces driver fatigue and allows for a more relaxing driving experience.
• Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering: Super Cruise integrates these features to maintain a safe following distance from traffic ahead and keep the vehicle centered within its lane. This provides a smoother and more controlled driving experience, especially during long journeys.
• Super Cruise with Trailering: Even when towing a compatible trailer, Super Cruise can automatically adjust the following distances to account for the extra stopping distance needed .
• Automatic Lane Change: When encountering slower traffic on the highway, Super Cruise can assist with lane changes. With proper driver activation and under certain conditions, the system can initiate the turn signal, smoothly change lanes, pass the slower vehicle, and return to the original lane – all without the driver needing to touch the steering wheel.
• Lane Change on Demand: By simply activating the turn signal and meeting certain criteria, Lane Change on Demand allows Super Cruise to automatically check for an opening in the desired lane and perform a lane change maneuver without further driver input.

Why Cadillac’s Super Cruise is Better Than Tesla Autopilot and FSD

The super cruise network is expanding rapidly, offering hands-free driving on over 750,000 miles.

Super Cruise has undergone significant expansion since its initial launch with limited applicability on approximately 130,000 miles of divided highways in North America. Since then, GM has diligently expanded compatible roads, with over 200,000 miles now available for Bolt EUV drivers and 400,000 miles accessible for drivers of other select Super Cruise-enabled Chevy vehicles .

Building on this momentum, GM says it is committed to further annual growth, ensuring that Super Cruise becomes an even more versatile driving companion. With such a vast and continuously expanding network of compatible roads, GM's Super Cruise is attempting to lead the charge in transforming highway driving into a more convenient and relaxing experience.

...we continue to look for ways to expand access to hands-free driving on more vehicles and roads for customers to experience.

- GM Spokesperson, Aimee Ridella

Super Cruise Availability Across The GM Family

General Motors offers its Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology on over 22 vehicles across its Cadillac , Chevrolet , and GMC brands. These include several Cadillac models: the Escalade , Escalade-V, CT4, CT4-V, CT5, CT5-V, XT6, and LYRIQ . Chevrolet offers Super Cruise on the Bolt EUV , Tahoe (Premier and High Country trims only), Suburban (Premier and High Country trims only), Blazer EV , Equinox EV , and Silverado EV . GMC equips the Hummer EV in both pickup and SUV configurations with Super Cruise.

Here's Why Tesla's Autopilot Isn't The Best Self-driving Tech Currently

Tesla autopilot.

Tesla's Autopilot system, unveiled in 2015 , marked a significant leap in driver-assistance technology. Arriving two years after General Motors started work on the Super Cruise, Autopilot promised a similar level of autonomy: Teslas could accelerate, brake, and steer themselves under certain conditions. While groundbreaking at the time, Autopilot's core functionalities – lane-keeping assistance and lane-centering – are now more common features in many advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) .

A key differentiator for Tesla lies in its broader Autopilot availability. Unlike Super Cruise, which is restricted to specific models and highway use, Autopilot comes standard on all commercial Tesla vehicles – the Model 3 , Model S , Model X , Model Y and the Cybertruck . This democratization of advanced driver-assistance features makes Tesla a leader in equipping its entire lineup with this technology.

Autopilot Utilizes Cameras, Sensors, And Driver Monitoring For Safety

Tesla's Autopilot system relies on a "sophisticated" sensor suite to navigate the road. Cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and radar work in concert to provide a 360-degree view of the vehicle's surroundings. This allows Autopilot to not only track lane markings but also detect and react to the presence of other vehicles on the road.

As Tesla prioritizes driver safety, newer Autopilot iterations incorporate a torque sensor in the steering wheel and a rearview camera to monitor driver engagement. Audible warnings alert inattentive drivers, and if these warnings are ignored, Autopilot will disengage and bring the car to a safe stop. Beyond the standard Autopilot features, Tesla offers two additional upgrade packages: Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability (FSD).

The Autopilot Packages Offer Advanced Features

Enhanced Autopilot builds upon the functionalities of Autopilot by introducing features like automatic lane changes for highway driving, navigating tight parking spaces with Autopark, and Smart Summon. Smart Summon allows drivers to remotely call their car from a parking spot , a feature particularly useful in crowded parking lots or narrow garages.

Tesla's most advanced option, FSD, pushes the boundaries of driver assistance even further . FSD equips Tesla vehicles with the ability to identify and respond to traffic signals through a feature called Traffic and Stop Sign Control. This represents a significant step towards true autonomous driving in controlled environments.

Tesla Is Developing Tech For City Street Autopilot

Additionally, Tesla is developing technology to integrate Autosteer functionality onto city streets within the FSD system . Tesla already has a beta test of "Autosteer on City Streets". This future iteration would mark a considerable advancement, allowing for a more hands-off driving experience on urban roadways.

However, it's crucial to remember that even with these advancements, Autopilot and FSD are currently classified as Level 2 on the SAE International's six levels of driving automation. This means that these systems are driver-assistance features, not replacements for a human driver.

Explained: Levels Of Autonomous Driving

Super cruise vs. autopilot, a battle of mapping and machine learning.

In the ongoing quest for autonomous driving, car manufacturers are constantly innovating driver-assistance features. Both General Motors' Super Cruise and Tesla's Autopilot offer a glimpse into a future where cars handle some of the driving duties.

It's crucial to remember that both Super Cruise and Autopilot are classified as Level 2 on the SAE International's Levels of Automation scale . This means that they are advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), not fully self-driving cars. While they can manage steering, acceleration, and braking under specific conditions, the driver remains ultimately responsible and must stay engaged at all times.

Map-Based Confidence

Super Cruise excels on pre-mapped highways. It utilizes high-precision LiDAR map data combined with cameras and radar sensors to meticulously maintain lane positioning and navigate compatible stretches of road. This approach fosters a smooth and reliable experience on well-defined routes. However, Super Cruise's dependence on pre-mapped data limits its applicability on unfamiliar roads or those lacking comprehensive mapping.

A Neural Network On Wheels

Tesla's Autopilot takes a different path. It leverages a network of cameras to capture real-time visual data of the driving environment. This information is then processed by a powerful neural network, enabling Autopilot to continuously learn and adapt to its surroundings .

This approach grants Autopilot greater flexibility in handling unexpected situations or navigating unmapped roads. Additionally, Tesla employs a crowdsourcing technique where data from all Tesla vehicles using Autopilot is aggregated and anonymized to further enhance the system's capabilities. This collective learning process allows Autopilot to constantly improve over time.

Beyond The Core Functionalities

The battle between Super Cruise and Autopilot extends beyond their core functionalities. Tesla's Autopilot offers additional features as part of its Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) packages. These features include automatic lane changes, navigating on-ramps and off-ramps, and even recognizing and responding to traffic signals (when equipped with the proper hardware). While Super Cruise offers some lane change assistance on compatible highways, it currently lacks the feature depth found in Tesla's advanced Autopilot packages.

GM Super Cruise Vs. Tesla Autopilot Feature Comparison

(Data sourced from GM & Tesla)

Deciding which system reigns supreme is an ongoing debate. Super Cruise offers a polished experience on mapped highways, while Autopilot provides greater adaptability and the potential for future growth through its reliance on AI and machine learning. Ultimately, the "better" system depends on individual needs and priorities. Drivers who frequently travel on well-mapped highways might find Super Cruise's reliability appealing.

Conversely, those who desire a more versatile system with the potential for continuous improvement might favor Autopilot. Both Super Cruise and Autopilot represent significant advancements in driver-assistance technology. As these systems continue to evolve, the lines between Level 2 and higher levels of autonomy may blur. It's an exciting time for the automotive industry, and both GM and Tesla are at the forefront of this technological revolution.

Reservations

Insurance replacement, buying a car, about car sales, car rental locations, more locations, top us locations, loyalty program, redeem points & perks, customer support, how to use autopilot.

Autopilot combines  cruise control and autosteer  in Tesla vehicles. While  not a self-driving setting,  it helps drivers keep a safe distance from cars in front and remain in their lane.

Both  Traffic Aware Cruise Control  (TACC) and  Autosteer  are controlled using the touchscreen, gear selector stalk and right-hand steering wheel scroll. However,  the driver remains responsible for steering and braking at all times .

Switch off either setting by pushing the gear selector stalk upwards or lightly pressing the brake pedal.

What is Autopilot?

Autopilot includes two features: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) and Autosteer. TACC matches the speed of your car to that of the surrounding traffic while Autosteer assists with steering within a clearly marked lane while TACC is engaged.

How Do I Engage Traffic-Aware Cruise Control?

When TACC is available, a gray circle with a speed-limit number in it appears to the right of the speedometer. To engage, push down once on the gear selector stalk. The associated circle will turn blue when TACC is engaged. Adjust your speed via the touchscreen or right-hand scroll on the steering wheel. Push the stalk up once or lightly touch the brake pedal to disengage TACC.

How Do I Engage Autosteer?

When Autosteer is available, a gray steering wheel icon will appear next to the TACC circle on the touchscreen. To engage, push down twice on the gear selector stalk. The steering wheel icon will turn blue when Autosteer is engaged. Push the stalk up once or lightly touch the brake pedal to disengage Autosteer.  However, the driver remains responsible for steering at all times.

Can I Set A Following Distance When Using Tacc?

While TACC is engaged, push the right-hand scroll on the steering wheel to the right or left to set your preferred following distance. As traffic slows, TACC will maintain the programmed following distance between the Tesla and the car in front of you, helping prevent rear-end collisions.

Will Tesla models brake automatically?

To maintain the programmed following distance when using TACC, Tesla models will brake automatically. Additionally, regen braking automatically applies the brakes when you take your foot off the gas and Tesla models includes an Automatic Emergency Braking feature. However, the driver remains responsible for braking at all times.

EDUCATIONAL SERIES

Explore other topics

Your first drive, charging a tesla, making adjustments, safety & security, voice command, features & storage, get the most out of your electric car rental., touchscreen | driving information.

Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

Regenerative Braking

Plugging in.

Model 3 Owner's Manual

Limitations and warnings.

This topic includes warnings, cautions, and limitations pertaining to the following Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Beta) features.

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

Navigate on autopilot, smart summon.

While using Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, it is the driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive safely, and be in control of the vehicle at all times. Always keep your eyes on the road when driving and be prepared to take corrective action as needed.

In addition, it is the driver’s responsibility to cruise at a safe speed and maintain a safe following distance based on road conditions and applicable speed limits. Be aware of the following limitations while Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is active.

• There may be situations where the cruising speed may not change when the speed limit changes.
• Traffic-Aware Cruise Control does not adapt driving speed based on road and driving conditions. Do not use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on winding roads with sharp curves, on icy or slippery road surfaces, or when weather conditions (such as heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) make it inappropriate to drive at a consistent speed.
• Do not rely on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to maintain an accurate or appropriate following distance.
• Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may be unable to provide adequate speed control because of limited braking capability and hills. It can also misjudge the distance from a vehicle ahead. Driving downhill can increase driving speed, causing Model 3 to exceed your set speed (and potentially the road's speed limit).
• Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may occasionally cause Model 3 to brake when not required or when you are not expecting it. This can be caused by closely following a vehicle ahead, detecting vehicles or objects in adjacent lanes (especially on curves), etc.
• Due to limitations inherent in the onboard GPS (Global Positioning System), you may experience situations in which Model 3 slows down, especially near exits or off-ramps where a curve is detected and/or you are navigating to a destination and not following the route.
• In some cases (such as having insufficient data), Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may not automatically reduce the set speed on the highway interchange or off-ramp.
• Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may not detect all objects and, especially when cruising over 50 mph (80 km/h) , may not brake/decelerate when a vehicle or object is only partially in the driving lane or when a vehicle you are following moves out of your driving path and a stationary or slow-moving vehicle or object is in front of you.
• Traffic-Aware Cruise Control may react to vehicles or objects that either do not exist, or are not in your lane of travel, causing Model 3 to slow down unnecessarily or inappropriately.
• The road has sharp curves or significant changes in elevation.
• Road signs and signals are unclear, ambiguous, or poorly maintained.
• Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow, hail, etc. or poorly lit roadways at night)
• You are driving in a tunnel or next to a highway divider that interferes with the view of the camera(s)
• Bright light (such as from oncoming headlights or direct sunlight) interferes with the view of the camera(s).
• Autosteer is unable to accurately determine lane markings. For example, lane markings are excessively worn, have visible previous markings, have been adjusted due to road construction, are changing quickly (lanes branching off, crossing over, or merging), objects or landscape features are casting strong shadows on the lane markings, or the road surface contains pavement seams or other high-contrast lines.
• Visibility is poor (heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) or weather conditions are interfering with sensor operation.
• A camera(s) or sensor(s) is obstructed, covered, or damaged.
• Driving on hills.
• Approaching a toll booth.
• Driving on a road that has sharp curves or is excessively rough.
• Bright light (such as direct sunlight) is interfering with the view of the camera(s).
• The sensors (if equipped) are affected by other electrical equipment or devices that generate ultrasonic waves.
• A vehicle is detected in your blind spot when you engage the turn signal.
• Model 3 is being driven very close to a vehicle in front of it, which is blocking the view of the camera(s).

Auto Lane Change

• Never depend on Auto Lane Change to determine an appropriate driving path. Drive attentively by watching the road and traffic ahead of you, checking the surrounding area, and monitoring the touchscreen for warnings. Always be prepared to take immediate action.
• Do not use Auto Lane Change on roads where traffic conditions are constantly changing and where bicycles and pedestrians are present.
• The performance of Auto Lane Change depends on the ability of the camera(s) to recognize lane markings.
• Do not use Auto Lane Change on winding roads with sharp curves, on icy or slippery roads, or when weather conditions (such as heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) may be obstructing the view from the camera(s) or sensors (if equipped) .
• Overtake Acceleration can cancel for many unforeseen reasons in addition to those listed above (for example, lack of GPS data). Stay alert and never depend on Overtake Acceleration to increase your driving speed.
• Overtake Acceleration increases your driving speed whenever the appropriate turn signal is engaged, and accelerates Model 3 closer to the vehicle ahead. Although Traffic-Aware Cruise Control continues to maintain distance from the vehicle ahead, it is important to be aware that your selected following distance is reduced when Overtake Acceleration is active, particularly in cases where it may not be your intention to overtake the vehicle you are following.

Stop Light and Stop Sign Warning

• Do not use Autopark if anything, such as a ball hitch, bike rack, or trailer, is attached to the tow hitch. Autopark may not stop for hitches when parking between or in front of other vehicles.
• Never depend on Autopark to find a parking space that is legal, suitable, and safe. Autopark may not always detect objects in the parking space. Always perform visual checks to confirm that a parking space is appropriate and safe.
• When Autopark is actively steering Model 3 , the steering wheel moves in accordance with Autopark's adjustments. Do not interfere with the movement of the steering wheel. Doing so cancels Autopark.
• During the parking sequence, continually check your surroundings. Be prepared to apply the brakes to avoid vehicles, pedestrians, or objects.
• When Autopark is active, monitor the touchscreen to ensure that you are aware of the instructions that Autopark is providing.

Autopark is particularly unlikely to operate as intended in these situations:

• The road is sloped. Autopark is designed to operate on flat roads only.
• Visibility is poor (due to heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.).
• The curb is constructed of material other than stone, or the curb cannot be detected.
• The target parking space is directly adjacent to a wall or pillar (for example, the last parking space of a row in an underground parking structure).
• One or more of the sensors (if equipped) or cameras is damaged, dirty, or obstructed (such as by mud, ice, or snow, or by a vehicle bra, excessive paint, or adhesive products such as wraps, stickers, rubber coating, etc.).
• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely hot or cold temperatures) are interfering with sensor (if equipped) operation.
• The sensors (if equipped) are affected by other electrical equipment or electrical interference.
• The driving path is sloped. Summon is designed to operate on flat roads only (up to 10% grade).
• A raised concrete edge is detected. Summon does not move Model 3 over an edge that is higher than approximately 1 in (2.5 cm).
• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely hot or cold temperatures) are interfering with sensor operation.
• Model 3 is in Trailer Mode or an accessory is attached.

Smart Summon is unlikely to operate as intended in the following types of situations:

• GPS data is unavailable due to poor cellular coverage.
• The driving path is sloped. Smart Summon is designed to operate on flat roads only (up to 10% grade).
• A raised concrete edge is detected. Depending on the height of the concrete edge, Smart Summon may not move Model 3 over it.
• Weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog, or extremely hot or cold temperatures) are interfering with sensor (if equipped) or camera operation.
• Model 3 is in Trailer Mode or an accessory is attached