What vehicles have adaptive cruise control?
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is now a staple feature in many new cars, SUVs, and trucks. It uses radar or cameras to maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead, and some systems can even handle stop-and-go traffic or steer within a lane on certain highways. Here is a practical guide to where ACC is typically available, with representative model examples across body styles.
How widely ACC is offered
As of model year 2024–2025, ACC is commonly available across mainstream brands. It is often standard on mid-range and higher trims, optional on base trims, and increasingly present on entry-level models in many markets. Brands may label the feature differently—such as Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on some electric or European models—so it's important to verify the exact trim and package for ACC inclusion.
Sedans
The following sedans illustrate how widespread ACC is in passenger cars, typically offered across several trims or as part of driver-assist packages.
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Accord
- Nissan Altima
- Hyundai Sonata
- Hyundai Elantra
- Kia K5
- Toyota Corolla
- Subaru Legacy
In short, ACC is commonly available across mainstream sedans, frequently standard on higher trims and optional on base configurations.
SUVs and crossovers
Sports utility vehicles and crossovers regularly include ACC, reflecting the broad consumer demand for smoother highway driving and efficiency gains.
- Toyota RAV4
- Honda CR-V
- Nissan Rogue
- Ford Escape
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Sportage
- Subaru Forester
- Volkswagen Tiguan
Across SUVs and crossovers, ACC is a standard or widely available feature in many trims, with more advanced versions offered in higher-grade packages.
Trucks and pickups
Adaptive cruise control has moved into many light-duty and even some heavy-duty trucks, often tied to higher trim levels or optional tech packages.
- Ford F-150
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Ram 1500
- Toyota Tundra
- GMC Sierra
- Nissan Frontier
For pickups, ACC tends to appear on more equipped models or as part of technology packages, reflecting a demand for efficient highway driving in work and personal use.
Electric vehicles and premium brands
Many electric vehicles and luxury-brand models bundle ACC with broader driver-assistance suites. In these segments, ACC is often standard or a common option, sometimes labeled differently in various markets.
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model Y
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Kia EV6
- Volvo XC40 Recharge
In electric and premium-line vehicles, ACC is frequently part of an optional or standard ADAS package, frequently paired with other features such as lane-centering or traffic-jaring controls.
Notes on terminology and availability
Automakers vary in how they name ACC. Some use "Adaptive Cruise Control," others call it "Traffic-Aware Cruise Control" or include it as part of broader systems like Co-Pilot360, ProPilot, or Highway Assist. Availability can depend on the model year, trim, and regional market, so always check the exact specifications for the vehicle you’re considering.
Summary
Adaptive cruise control is now widely available across most vehicle types, from everyday sedans and family SUVs to pickups and many electric and luxury models. If ACC is important to you, review the trim and options on the models you’re interested in, and confirm how the system functions (such as stop-and-go capability or lane-centering) for your market. As car technology evolves, ACC is becoming a near-ubiquitous baseline feature rather than an optional luxury.
What's the cheapest car with adaptive cruise control?
Here are the least expensive cars with adaptive cruise control.
- 2020 Honda Fit.
- 2020 Toyota Corolla.
- 2020 Nissan Sentra.
- 2020 Honda Civic.
- 2020 Nissan Versa.
- 2020 Mazda Mazda3.
- 2020 Subaru Legacy.
- 2020 Hyundai Sonata.
What are the cons of adaptive cruise control?
The cons of adaptive cruise control include potential for aggressive braking, poor performance in adverse weather, sensor limitations that can miss objects, and driver over-reliance leading to inattention or complacency. It may also struggle with sharp curves, stop-and-go traffic, and can sometimes be more expensive to purchase initially.
Performance and limitations
- Poor weather and road conditions: Performance is significantly reduced in heavy rain, snow, fog, or on slippery roads, as sensors can become obstructed or less effective.
- Curving roads and complex traffic: ACC can struggle on winding roads, getting confused by other lanes of traffic or missing your own lane ahead. It may also not handle sharp turns well.
- Difficulty with stationary objects: Many systems cannot detect stationary objects, meaning the driver must always be ready to intervene.
- Inconsistent performance: Systems may not perform well in stop-and-go traffic, on steep hills, or with very heavy loads.
- Lack of uniformity: There is no standard system, so drivers may need to learn a new system for each vehicle.
Driver behavior and safety
- Driver complacency: Over-reliance can lead to inattention and reduced vigilance, as drivers may assume the system will handle everything.
- Increased speed: Some drivers may be more likely to set a higher speed with ACC, which can lead to aggressive braking when they inevitably need to take manual control.
- False sense of security: The system is not a collision avoidance system and cannot account for all situations, but drivers may treat it as such.
- Malfunction risk: Like any technology, ACC can malfunction, and if a driver is not attentive, it could lead to an accident.
Other cons
- Higher cost: Vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control are often more expensive to purchase.
What vehicles come with adaptive cruise control?
Many cars from a wide range of manufacturers, including mainstream and luxury brands, come equipped with adaptive cruise control (ACC) as a standard or optional feature. Examples include the Honda Civic and Accord, Toyota Camry and Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Forester and Legacy, and many models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volvo.
Examples of cars with adaptive cruise control
- Honda: Civic, Accord, and HR-V
- Toyota: Camry, Corolla, and RAV4
- Hyundai: Sonata, Kona, and Ioniq 5/6
- Subaru: Forester and Legacy
- Mazda: Mazda3 and CX-30
- BMW: 3 Series and 2 Series
- Mercedes-Benz: A-Class, C-Class, and S-Class
- Audi: A4/S4 and Q5
- Volvo: S60 and XC60
- Nissan: Versa and Altima
- Other brands: Acura, Genesis, Kia, and Land Rover also offer ACC on many of their vehicles
What to look for in ACC systems
- Stop-and-go functionality: This allows the system to operate in heavy traffic, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop and then resuming automatically.
- Smoothness: Some systems offer a smoother acceleration and braking experience than others. You can often get a sense of this during a test drive.
- Adjustable aggressiveness: Certain systems, like those from Audi and Subaru, allow you to adjust how aggressively the system follows the car in front.
- Distance settings: Check the minimum distance the system maintains. A good system strikes a balance between keeping a safe distance and not allowing other cars to cut in too easily.
- Toggling between modes: Some systems let you switch between adaptive and standard cruise control, which can be useful in certain conditions.
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How do I know if my car has adaptive cruise control?
You can tell if your car has adaptive cruise control by looking for a dedicated button on the steering wheel that adjusts the following distance, checking the dashboard for a specific icon (often a speedometer with a car in front of it), or by inspecting the front bumper for a sensor or radar system. Another method is to check your vehicle's original window sticker or owner's manual to see if it was part of a driver-assistance package.
This video demonstrates how to use adaptive cruise control, including adjusting the following distance: 48sCadillacYouTube · Apr 11, 2023
Check your steering wheel
- Look for a distance control button: Adaptive cruise control systems have a button on the steering wheel, often with an icon of a car and bars, that allows you to adjust the following distance.
- Look for specific buttons: Some systems have a dedicated button to switch between regular and adaptive cruise control, or buttons to adjust following distance that are often located on the left or right side of the steering wheel.
Check your dashboard
- Look for the icon: When activated, a specific adaptive cruise control icon will appear on your dashboard or head-up display. It often looks like a speedometer with a car on top of it, or an arc with a small triangle through it.
- Check the icon's color: Some systems show a white icon when the feature is on and ready, which changes to green when it is actively maintaining a set speed and following distance.
This video shows the adaptive cruise control icon on the dashboard and how it changes when engaged: 58sDean Cooley GMYouTube · Jan 23, 2023
Inspect the front of your car
- Look for a sensor: Many systems use a radar sensor to detect vehicles ahead, which is often located behind the front grille or emblem.
- Look for a "radar" sensor: Some manufacturers place a square-shaped radar sensor behind the front license plate.
- Check the emblem: Some emblems have a more "bubble-like" appearance to house the sensor for adaptive cruise control.
Consult your car's documentation
- Check the owner's manual: The owner's manual will clearly state if the vehicle is equipped with adaptive cruise control and how to use it.
- Look up your VIN: You can input your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into an online checker to see the original window sticker, which lists all the original features and options, including adaptive cruise control.
- Look up your vehicle's packages: Check your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if your trim level includes a specific driver-assistance package that bundles adaptive cruise control with other features like blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.
You can watch this video to learn how to find information about your vehicle's features: 16sEden Motor GroupYouTube · Sep 5, 2023
