Partial automation safeguard ratings

Partial driving automation is a convenience feature that is meant to make long drives easier. There’s no evidence that it makes driving safer, and, in fact, it can create new risks by making it easier for the driver’s attention to wander. For this reason, it’s essential that all partial driving automation systems incorporate robust safeguards.

For our partial automation safeguard ratings, we evaluate driver monitoring, attention reminders, emergency procedures and other aspects of system design. A system may be assigned a rating of good, acceptable, marginal or poor for its safeguards.

Requirements for a good partial automation safeguard rating

  • Monitors both the driver’s gaze and hand position

    level-2 icon

  • Uses multiple types of rapidly escalating alerts to get driver’s attention

    level-2 icon

  • Fail-safe procedure slows vehicle, notifies manufacturer and keeps automation off limits for remainder of drive

    level-2 icon

  • Automated lane changes must be initiated or confirmed by the driver

    level-2 icon

  • Adaptive cruise control does not automatically resume after a lengthy stop or if the driver is not looking at the road

    level-2 icon

  • Lane centering does not discourage steering by driver

    level-2 icon

  • Automation features cannot be used with seat belt unfastened

    level-2 icon

  • Automation features cannot be used with automatic emergency braking or lane departure prevention/warning disabled

    level-2 icon

Rated systems

Driver involvement  
  Overall rating Driver monitoring Attention reminders Emergency procedures Lane change ACC resume Cooperative steering Safety features
Lexus Teammate with Advanced Drive
2022-24 Lexus LS		 A M G A G A G G
General Motors Super Cruise
2023-24 GMC Sierra		 M P G G P A P G
Nissan ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link
2023-24 Nissan Ariya		 M M A M G G G A
BMW Active Driving Assistant Pro
2023-24 BMW X1		 P M P A G P G A
Ford BlueCruise
2021-24 Ford Mustang Mach-E		 P A G M G M G P
Ford Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering Assist
2021-24 Ford Mustang Mach-E		 P A G M G G G P
Genesis Highway Driving Assist 2
2023-24 Genesis G90		 P P P P G M G P
Genesis Smart Cruise Control/Lane Following Assist
2023-24 Genesis G90		 P P P P G G G P
Lexus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Lane Tracing Assist
2022-24 Lexus LS		 P P P P G G G M
Mercedes-Benz Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist
2022-23 Mercedes-Benz C-Class		 P M P A G G G P
Nissan ProPILOT Assist 2.0
2023-24 Nissan Ariya		 P P A M G G G G
Tesla Autopilot, Version 2023.7.10
2021-23 Tesla Model 3		 P P P A G P P P
Tesla Full Self-Driving (Beta), Version 2023.7.10
2021-23 Tesla Model 3		 P P A A P P P P
Volvo Pilot Assist
2022-24 Volvo S90		 P P P M G G G P

Test protocol

Safeguards for partial driving automation test protocol and rating guidelines Version I, March 2024

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