Title: Stellantis’ Hands-Free Active Driver Assist: A Mixed Bag of Innovations and Shortfalls
In 2023, Stellantis quietly introduced its Hands-Free Active Driver Assist system for select Jeep Grand Cherokee models and the updated 2025 Ram 1500. Despite minimal advertising and a less-than-dramatic debut, our two-week hands-on experience across 1,700 miles reveals a mix of commendable features and notable limitations, especially compared to its competitors.
What is Hands-Free Active Driver Assist?
Hands-Free Active Driver Assist is a Level 2 driver-assist system designed for limited-access, divided highways mapped by TomTom, allowing hands-free driving under specific conditions. Drivers can take their hands off the wheel at speeds up to 85 mph but must stay engaged and monitor the road.
The system has been introduced well after Ford’s BlueCruise and GM’s Super Cruise, ranking third among domestic hands-free systems. It covers 125,000 miles of roadway, significantly fewer than GM’s 400,000 miles and Ford’s anticipated 130,000 miles of mapped roads by the end of 2025.
Features and Performance
An infrared camera monitors the driver’s eye movements, ensuring attentiveness. During our tests, the system granted 4 to 5.5 seconds for the driver to look away, a policy stricter than GM’s but slightly more lenient than Ford’s.
A high-definition GPS enhances location precision, knowing the exact lane within a 6.6-foot accuracy. This is comparable to GM’s Super Cruise but more advanced than Ford’s BlueCruise, which can only place the vehicle within about 49.2 feet.
However, issues arise with the adaptive cruise control’s smoothness and predictive capabilities. The braking and acceleration lacked fluidity, similar to older Jeep Grand Cherokee models, causing discomfort during stop-and-go traffic. Despite possible solutions through over-the-air updates, the underlying radar limitations remain a concern.
Roadwork and Weather Adaptability
One notable strength is its recognition of construction zones. When the vehicle enters such an area, the system instantly alerts the driver to take control, resuming autonomous driving once the zone is cleared. This is a feature that BlueCruise struggles with, although GM’s Super Cruise handles it effectively.
The system also operates in adverse weather, such as heavy rain, where it surprisingly maintained functionality. However, this proved more concerning than reassuring since the system’s sensors might not be as reliable as visual confirmation by a human driver, raising safety concerns.
Lane Changes and Towing Limitations
Lane changes required tapping the turn signal, similar to BlueCruise, contrary to Super Cruise’s hands-free capability. The system often executed lane changes seamlessly but intermittently failed without clear reasons.
Moreover, the system turned off when the truck identified it was towing a trailer, a significant limitation compared to Super Cruise, which functions seamlessly even when towing.
Future Prospects: STLA Autodrive
Despite the recent launch, Stellantis has already announced a successor: STLA Autodrive. This new system, poised to debut in 2024, aims to deliver Level 3 capabilities, allowing drivers to take their eyes off the road, marking a significant advancement over the current system.
Stellantis remains vague about the support duration for Hands-Free Active Driver Assist, indicating a transition as STLA Autodrive rolls out.
Cost and Availability
Hands-Free Active Driver Assist comes at a premium. It’s a $2,995 option on the Jeep Grand Cherokee and included in higher trims of the Ram 1500, with additional package requirements for lower trims. Competitors like Ford and GM offer more flexible and democratic pricing models, potentially making them more appealing to a broader audience.
Conclusion
While Stellantis’ Hands-Free Active Driver Assist system performs well in certain scenarios, it falls short in predictiveness and smoothness compared to competitors. The upcoming STLA Autodrive promises substantial improvements, reflecting Stellantis’ commitment to evolving driver assistance technologies. For a comprehensive view, visit Automotive.fyi or follow us on X @automotivefyi for the latest automotive news.
Joel Feder, Editor of Motor Authority for Automotive.fyi
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