Euro NCAP publishes Assisted Driving ratings of 7 Highway Assist-equipped cars

The European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) recently published the Assisted Driving ratings of seven Highway Assist-equipped cars.

For those who do not know, Highway Assist systems help the driver maintain a steady speed to keep a safe distance from the car in front and to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane. This is achieved by combining (intelligent) Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Lane Centering (LC).

According to the Leuven-based organization, Highway Assist systems are designed to assist the driver, not to take control of the vehicle. The driver is expected to keep his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road at all times. For this reason, Euro NCAP tests not only the car’s ability to assist and promote safer driving, but also evaluates how the system engages the driver and, if the unexpected happens, what safety backup is offered by the vehicle.

“This balance between assistance and engagement is crucial. Cars are not yet capable of fully automated driving and drivers should not be misled into thinking that they are. Reports from America have highlighted the very serious problems that can happen when people have an unrealistically high expectation of what such systems can offer, and when the car in which they are driving does not actively try to get them back in the loop. We are pleased that the manufacturers represented in this round of tests make clear the level of support that they can provide.” commented Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen.

The overall best performer in this batch is the BMW iX3, graded as “Very Good.” Two others — the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Cupra Formentor — achieve “Good” gradings. The assist systems of the Polestar 2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are graded as “Moderate,” while the Toyota Yaris and Opel Mokka-e offer “Entry” level systems.

Photo from Euro NCAP

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