The best adaptive cruise control systems I’ve ever tested: how to make long drives more relaxing

Before I ever drove a car with adaptive cruise control, I didn’t really see the point in it. But now that I’ve experienced the technology, it’s a feature I really miss when I drive a car which doesn’t have it.

Adaptive cruise control is a feature which uses a combination of sensors and cameras to keep you a safe distance from the car in front of you without input from the driver. Some systems can also handle stop-start traffic, and many can steer to keep you in lane. It makes long journeys much more relaxing.

I’ve tested loads of these systems in dozens of different cars, and some are way better than others. Here are five of my favourite adaptive cruise control systems.

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What makes a good adaptive cruise control system?

But first, what separates a good setup from a bad one? Well the biggest thing is reliability.

There are few things more annoying than having the system keep disengaging because it’s lost the lane lines or the radar has gone wrong; you want to be able to just turn it on and leave it alone.

It also needs to be able to keep you centred in your lane. A lot of models, such as my old Volvo EX30 long-term test car, can drift from one lane line to another, meaning the steering wheel is always twitching in your hand and you never quite trust it.

The car should slow smoothly as you approach slower-moving traffic, unlike Tesla’s Autopilot which I find can fly up to a stationary queue and jam on the anchors at the last minute. This is quite unnerving at times.

But most importantly, for me at least, adaptive cruise control should feel natural. I find the best systems almost feel like they’re not on at all, like the car is working with you so you don’t really notice the electronic assistance. You can also take over easily, unlike our Omoda 9 long term test car which feels like it’s fighting you for control.

The five best adaptive cruise control systems

After covering thousands of motorway miles using adaptive cruise control, here are my five favourite systems:

1. Volkswagen Group Travel Assist
2. BMW Symbiotic Drive
3. Ford Bluecruise
4. Mercedes Distronic
5. Lexus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

1. Volkswagen Group Travel Assist

My favourite adaptive cruise control system is Volkswagen’s Travel Assist, which you’ll find on various models from VW, Skoda, Cupra and Audi. My Skoda Octavia vRS Estate has it, as did my Volkswagen ID7 and it’s always worked flawlessly.

It sits bang in the middle of the lane and feels rock-solid. The steering wheel doesn’t twitch in your hand at all, and it’s easy to take over when changing lanes or exiting the motorway. The only annoying thing is it gets fussy about your hands on the wheel. If I’m not applying enough pressure to it then it’ll bong at me to take over the steering, but a light input will settle things down.

2. BMW Symbiotic Drive

Symbiotic Drive is the new system BMW has fitted to the iX3, and it’ll be on the new i3 saloon as well. I like how secure it feels, and it’s really good at spotting slower-moving traffic from a distance and slowing you down gently.

But I was most impressed by the hands-free feature I tested in Spain last year. It’ll drive on motorways completely by itself, as long as you’re still paying attention to the road ahead, and it can even change lanes automatically when you check the corresponding door mirror. It’s really impressive, but it’s a shame that it’s not currently legal in the UK.

3. Ford Bluecruise

Ford Bluecruise is the only hands-free adaptive cruise control which is approved for UK roads. Whereas all other setups require you to keep your hands on the wheel at all times, Bluecruise allows you to let go entirely.

You can use it on most motorways, but if you’re on a road where it’s not allowed then the system won’t engage. I was apprehensive when I first turned it on, but the nerves quite quickly subsided after some trouble-free, hands-free miles. Bluecruise is currently only offered on the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but it’ll be added to other models later this year.

4. Mercedes Distronic

Mercedes makes some excellent long-distance cruisers, and Distronic makes the miles fly by. It’s predictable, reliable and confidence-inspiring, but it’s the augmented-reality head-up display which elevates things.

It can project navigation directions and potential hazards onto the road ahead of you, giving you a sort of pre-warning as to what it’s going to do next. As someone who likes to stay one step ahead, this is a really nice feature.

5. Lexus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

In most Lexus models, the adaptive cruise control is nothing special. It works well, keeping you securely in the middle of your lane and a safe distance from the car in front. But the RZ has something which elevates the experience.

It’s available with steer-by-wire, which means there’s no physical connection between the steering wheel, or yoke in this case, and the front wheels. This means that, with adaptive cruise control on, the yoke doesn’t twitch in your hands while making fine adjustments to the steering.

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