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10 Top Cars with Autonomous Driving Features

Brent Dunn
by Brent Dunn
July 2, 2017
5 min. Reading Time
2014 Mercedes Benz S550 hero ・  Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2014 Mercedes Benz S550 hero ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

While there are many cars on the market with autonomous driving features, some systems are more advanced than others. As of yet none are completely self-driving and none are completely fool-proof, but systems like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and road-departure mitigation can take part of the load off of the driver and also help prevent some dangerous accidents. We don’t know when (or if) truly autonomous self-driving cars will be available for sale to the public, but the technology is slowly getting better, and more affordable, and these features are found on some relatively inexpensive vehicles. Read on to discover our expert editor’s top ten cars with autonomous driving features and see just what options are out there.

10) 2017 Kia Forte S trim or higher with the Technology Package

The Technology Package that contains most of the autonomous driving features in the Kia Forte is only available on S trim or higher versions (an S trim with the Technology Package starts at an MSRP of $21,685). Despite that, it’s still one of the most affordable ways to get a car with Autonomous Emergency Braking (with Pedestrian Detection) and a Lane Keep Assist System (though Kia hedges its bets and says that it ‘may apply corrective steering’). It is, however, missing a radar-guided cruise control system, so you’ll have to rely on a traditional system and your right foot (and hopefully not the Emergency Braking system). It seems an odd feature to be missing, and we hope that Kia adds it to the Forte soon.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

9) 2017 Subaru Impreza Premium with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology

When purchased in Premium trim or higher, the Subaru Impreza is available with the brand’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology (an Impreza Premium with EyeSight will set you back at least $24,410). Included is Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and the Pre-Collision Braking System as well as the Pre-Collision Throttle Management System that as you would expect reduces power from the engine before a collision to minimize impact force and damage. When combined with the Impreza’s standard all-wheel-drive system and superb crash-test scores (the Impreza earns the highest marks in every test run by both the NHTSA and IIHS), the EyeSight technology helps make the Impreza stand out as one of the safest cars on the road.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

8) 2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring with the i-ACTIVSENSE Safety Package

Only the Grand Touring version of the 2017 Mazda3 is available with the brand’s i-ACTIVSENSE Safety Package, making it less affordable than some of the other cars on our list (a Mazda3 Grand Touring model with I-ACTIVSENSE has an MSRP starting at $28,070). On the other hand, it does have Traffic Sign Recognition that uses a camera to detect speed limit. It also has Stop and No-Entry warnings and displays them on the Active Driving Display.  Of course, it also has the typical systems like Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Smart Brake Support, and Lane Departure Warning System with Lane Keep Assist. Combine I-ACTIVSENSE with the optional i-Eloop kinetic energy recovery system, and you have one of the most technologically advanced compact cars on the market.

 Photo by Mazda

Photo by Mazda

7) 2017 Honda Civic LX with Honda Sensing

Because Honda Sensing is available on even base models, the 2017 Honda Civic is one of the cheapest ways to get into a car with some relatively advanced autonomous driving features (a Civic LX with Honda Sensing has an MSRP of $20,540). Included is the standard Adaptive Cruise Control to maintain a set following interval on the highway and Collision Mitigation Braking System that will brake the car when it senses an impending collision. But you also get a Lane Keeping Assist System that will steer a stray car to bring it back into the middle of a lane, as well as a Road Departure Mitigation System that alerts the driver if they’re about to leave the road and can take action to keep you on the asphalt.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

6) 2017 Lexus LS with the Advanced Pre-Collision System Package

As part of the luxury segment, long-wheelbase versions of the 2017 Lexus LS (though not short-wheelbase versions) are available with all the trappings, including most of the autonomous driving systems. The optional Advanced Pre-Collision System Package (which requires a host of other options and drives the cost up to nearly $100,000) includes Lane Keep Assist and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control that can bring the LS to a complete stop.  The Advanced Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Low-Speed Frontal Collision Avoidance Assist can slow the vehicle (or bring it to a complete stop at speeds below 24 miles per hour) and help reduce crash forces. There’s even a Driver Attention Monitor with closed-eye detection that detects if you aren’t paying attention and alerts you to potential hazards ahead.

 Photo by Lexus

Photo by Lexus

5) 2018 Volvo V90

As expected from a manufacturer that is known for safety, Volvo has consistently been one of the first manufacturers to add active safety systems and autonomous-driving features to their automobiles. The 2018 Volvo V90 is the brand’s top-of-the-line station wagon, and it offers Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist as standard (with an MSRP that starts at $49,950). Designed to help you maintain a set speed or safe distance from the car in front of you, it can also assist with steering, acceleration, and braking at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. Also standard is City Safety Collision Avoidance Technology which works to prevent low-speed collisions and Driver Alert Control that warns you if it detects signs that you are drowsy, distracted or driving erratically.

 Photo by Volvo

Photo by Volvo

4) 2017 Infiniti Q70 with the Technology Package

Like the other full-size luxury cars, the 2017 Infiniti Q70 is available with a Technology Package (starting at $57,670) that includes autonomous features such as Intelligent Cruise Control with Full-Speed Range, Lane Departure Warning. Unique features include Backup Collision Intervention that can apply the brakes automatically if an object or crossing vehicle is detected as well as Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention that can assist you back into your lane if you try to change lanes while there is a car in your blind spot.

 Photo by Infiniti

Photo by Infiniti

3) 2018 BMW 7 Series with the Driving Assistance Plus Package

The 2018 BMW 7 Series is the brand’s top-of-the-line sedan, and it’s available with a full suite of autonomous driving aids. The Driving Assistance Plus Package (starting at around $85,000) includes Collision Mitigation and Pedestrian Protection that helps prevent or reduce the severity of collisions, Traffic Jam Assistant that provides steering at low speeds whenever the driver has at least one hand on the wheel. Active Lane Keeping Assistant is also available with side collision avoidance to keep your car in your lane and helps avoid cars that wander into it, and Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go. You can even get Remote Control Parking that can pull into and out of parking spots at the press of a button on the Display Key (even when you aren’t in it).

 Photo by BMW

Photo by BMW

2) 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 with the Driver Assistance Package

As you might expect, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is loaded with technology, including more than a few autonomous driving features. Standard features include Collision Prevention Assist Plus (which can provide autonomous braking at speeds up to 65 miles per hour), Attention Assist (which can provide visual and audible warnings if it detects signs of drowsiness), and Crosswind Assist to help offset wind gusts. When equipped with the Driver Assistance Package (starting at $104,345) you also get Active Lane Keeping Assist, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist that can keep the car centered in the lane and at a safe distance from other cars while cruising. Active Blind Spot Assist is also on the list, helping to prevent collisions with cars in your blind spot.

 Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

1) 2017 Tesla Model S with Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability

The Tesla Model S’ Autopilot system is probably the best known autonomous driving system on the market today. While the brand says that when equipped with Full Self-Driving Capability (starting at $77,500) the car has all the hardware needed for full self-driving, in reality, it’s mostly software limitations that mean we’re still a way off from a truly fully-autonomous self-driving car. Enhanced Autopilot can automatically change lanes, take freeway exits, and self-park using a system of cameras, ultrasonic sensors and forward-facing radar that do a good job of keeping the car on the straight and narrow in nearly all situations. At the moment some driver input is still required, but Tesla is adamant that full self-driving will arrive soon.

 Photo by Tesla

Photo by Tesla


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