Today’s drivers want to drive hands-free, and automotive manufacturers and engineers have crafted the capabilities to meet this demand. 

By exploring recent data, we can see the increasing consumer interest in hands-free driving technology. Along the way, we’ll cover the automotive industry’s leading autonomous driving classification system and briefly survey the hands-free driving technologies currently available in 2025 models for U.S. consumers.  

Developing Demand

The shift toward hands-free driving technology represents a major development in consumer attitudes and desires over the past year. 

In a recent AutoPacific 2025 Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS) of nearly 18,000 new vehicle shoppers, preliminary data indicates that one of the most desirable features in a new vehicle is hands-off, semi-autonomous driving technology. The survey found that 43 percent of “new vehicle intenders” — drivers at least 18 years old who want to buy a car in the next three years — stated that they want this feature. This places it in a tie for first place as the most-wanted feature in a new vehicle. Additionally, it represents an increase in the desirability of hands-free, semi-autonomous driving technology by a stunning 20 percentage points over the same feature’s desirability in the 2024 survey.

An important caveat to the level of increasing demand is where potential buyers rank this feature’s importance as a must-have versus a nice-to-have. In the same 2025 AutoPacific survey, classically desired features like power-adjustable seats or all-wheel drive are considered by over 60 percent of buyers who want those features as must-haves in their next vehicle. By comparison, 33 percent of buyers who said they wanted hands-free, semi-autonomous driving technology also said that they consider it a must-have. 

In other words, more of today’s drivers want hands-free driving technology, but they have not yet overwhelmingly categorized it as a must-have feature in the same way drivers do with other amenities. Looking forward, increasing exposure, trust, and familiarity with these features via integration into today’s popular models already equipped with the “must-haves” may be the key to shifting more of the customer desire for hands-free driving technology into the “must-have” category as well.

Establishing Standards

Since 2014, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International has classified automated driving systems on a six-tier scale, ranging from zero to five. These SAE Levels of Driving Automation™ establish standards for how much automation a system must provide to be categorized within a certain level. Each level corresponds to a clear level of responsibility you need to take as the driver when the systems are equipped in your vehicle.   

The SAE draws a critical dividing line between Levels 2 and 3. Systems and technologies falling within SAE Levels 0 to 2 are broadly categorized as driver support features, while SAE Level 3™ systems and above are categorized as automated driving features. In SAE Level 2™ systems and below, the driver is still fully responsible for operating the vehicle, no matter if they have their hands on the steering wheel or not. Once you make the jump to SAE Level 3 systems and higher, the SAE categorically labels these as automated driving features, clearly distinguished from driver support features by the system’s position as the pilot of the vehicle.

Driver support features fall into these levels:

• SAE Level 0™ — These systems provide momentary driver assistance and warnings, including features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and lane departure warning. 
• SAE Level 1™ — These systems provide driver assistance and steering or braking assistance, including adaptive cruise control or lane keeping assistance, functioning at different times. 
• SAE Level 2 — These systems provide additional driver assistance like steering and acceleration or braking support at the same time, which may include lane centering and adaptive cruise control functioning together with or without hands-free capability.

Automated driving features fall into these categories:

• SAE Level 3 — These systems provide automated driving of all driving tasks with potential driver takeover at the system’s request; functionality is limited to ideal conditions. 
• SAE Level 4™ — These systems provide automated driving with no driver takeover, but all operating conditions and stipulations must be met. 
• SAE Level 5™ — These systems provide total automated driving with no driver takeover and full functionality in all conditions, as well as the ability to drive anywhere.

Which Level of Automation Do Drivers Want?

Buyers know which features they want. Engineers know which systems qualify for each category. Combining this information gives a more complete picture of the future of hands-free driving systems. 

When 43 percent of prospective car buyers indicate they want a hands-free, semi-autonomous system in their next vehicle, they are indicating they want support from the SAE Level 2 category. They particularly want a system with higher-end functionality than what a Level 2 system can accomplish. Further down the list of most-desired features, 38 percent of drivers wanted hands-off, fully autonomous driving with no steering wheel and no option to take over the vehicle, which correlates to an SAE Level 4 or 5 system. And just one percent less — 37 percent — of new vehicle intenders wanted a model with hands-off, fully autonomous highway and city driving with the option to step in and drive, which correlates with SAE Level 3 capabilities.    

Delivering Automation

Many car manufacturers, including domestic brands like Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Ford, Jeep, and Ram, as well as imports like BMW, Nissan, and Lexus, offer U.S. consumers their own unique version of hands-free highway driving technology.  Most of these are categorized as SAE Level 2 autonomous driving systems, which match nicely with the increase in consumer desire for these types of products. 

Generally speaking, these systems leverage adaptive cruise control and lane centering functionality together to allow you to take your hands off the steering wheel on compatible roadways, which vary based on the system in question. A driver monitoring system will ensure your eyes remain on the road, and an auditory or visual warning will prompt you to return your attention to the road if you become distracted.   

On the cutting edge of the currently available hands-free driving systems, Mercedes-Benz offers an SAE Level 3 system called DRIVE PILOT with functionality in select states. One of the most notable differences in this system over the Level 2 systems is the level of driver engagement needed when it’s active. According to the DRIVE PILOT overview page, you can take your eyes off the road and enjoy movies, games, or other diversions from the driver’s seat when DRIVE PILOT is engaged, but you must be available to take control if needed. In addition to the confirmed hands-free systems in 2025 models, Tesla offers their camera feed-based Full Self Driving (Supervised) system that functions beyond the highway driving environment, but does not operate yet as a fully hands-free driving system according to the owner’s manual for the Model Y. This could change moving forward with the company’s over-the-air software updates.

Which Hands-Free Driving Systems Are Currently Available?

Beyond their similar basic functions of hands-free adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and driver monitoring, each manufacturer provides a unique, branded take on their version of hands-free driving technology in 2025 models. Some systems offer unique functions, including turn signal-activated, automatic, or head gesture-controlled lane changing and trailering support. Others operate under certain conditions or certain roadways, with an expanding range of mapped, compatible roadways. 

The currently available Level 2 and Level 3 hands-free driving systems for U.S. consumers in 2025 include:

BlueCruise (Ford and Lincoln)

On Ford and Lincoln models, BlueCruise is your gateway to hands-free driving capability. This is an SAE Level 2 that operates on over 130,000 miles of divided highways, or “Blue Zones.” Equip any of the 2025 Lincoln models with BlueCruise, or enjoy it on select 2025 Ford trucks and SUVs, including the F-150®, Explorer®, Expedition®, F-150 Lightning®, and Mustang Mach-E®. Select BlueCruise versions, including automatic lane changes with BlueCruise 1.5, allow you to change lanes without manually activating the turn signal. 

DRIVE PILOT (Mercedes-Benz)

As the only SAE Level 3 system currently available in the U.S., the Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT system is unique. It’s approved to function on major freeways in California and Nevada and available on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan and Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan as a Digital Extra upgrade starting in the 2024 model year. You’ll need to meet strict driving conditions to enjoy this level of autonomy: clear lane markings, moderate to heavy traffic traveling under 40 MPH, clear daytime conditions, no construction, and the driver must be visible to the monitoring camera.

Hands-Free Active Driving Assist (Jeep and Ram)

For those shopping for a new truck or SUV from Stellantis, the 2025 Ram 1500, 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Jeep Grand Wagoneer have SAE Level 2 hands-free capability available. Their hands-free active driving assist system is compatible with over 200,000 miles of pre-approved roadways. Using the turn signal while this system is in use will activate an assisted lane change system.  

Highway Assistant and Traffic Jam Assist (BMW)

BMW offers SAE Level 2 hands-free driving with select models with their Highway Assistant system. Under safe conditions, it’s functional on controlled-access highways. Look for 2025 BMW models with the Driving Assistance Professional Package. A unique feature to note is the glance-enabled active lane change system. While Highway Assistant functions at speeds up to 85 MPH, a related available system called Traffic Jam Assist can allow you to drive hands-free under the correct conditions up to 40 MPH.  

Teammate Advanced Drive and Traffic Jam Assist (Lexus and Toyota)

Lexus and Toyota both offer hands-free driving systems with varied functionality. The 2025 Lexus LS Hybrid is available with Lexus Teammate technology, including Advanced Drive. This SAE Level 2 system allows you to drive hands-free with braking, acceleration, and steering controls on supported controlled-access freeways. In previous model years, the hydrogen cell-powered Toyota Mirai was available with this system. Select 2025 models, including the Toyota Camry, Toyota Crown Signia, and Lexus RX, offer a system called Traffic Jam Assist, which allows you to drive hands-free at speeds up to 25 MPH.   

ProPILOT Assist 2.0 and 2.1 (Nissan and INFINITI)

Select Nissan and INFINITI models are equipped with ProPILOT Assist 2.0 or 2.1 technology, which provides SAE Level 2 hands-free driving support. The 2025 Nissan Ariya features ProPILOT Assist 2.0, which lets you go hands-free on single-lane freeways. Meanwhile, the 2025 Nissan Rogue® and Armada®, as well as the 2025 INFINITI QX80, are available with ProPILOT 2.1, which runs on controlled-access divided motorways. Lane Change Assist for either system can be automatic, but you will need to put your hands on the wheel. 

Super Cruise® (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC)
Available on models across the General Motors (GM) family of brands, Super Cruise provides SAE Level 2 hands-free driving capabilities on an extensive road network. This network of mapped divided highways, major highways, and minor highways, as announced by GM, is supposed to be at 750,000 miles by the end of 2025. Hands-free trailering and either turn signal-initiated or automatic lane change capabilities are available in select models. Integration of Super Cruise varies across each brand’s portfolio, but includes the 2025 Buick Enclave; 2025 GMC Sierra 1500, and three-row SUVs; 2025 Cadillac Escalade, XT6, CT5, and CT4; and the 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500, and three-row SUVs. The hands-free system is also heavily incorporated in 2025 Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac EVs.

Remaining Responsible

Even with the hands-free driving systems available today, human driver input and attentiveness are still of paramount importance. Though the current hands-free systems do allow you to take your hands off the wheel and feet off the accelerator, you must still keep your eyes on the road and remain ready to intervene. Consumers seem to be aligned with retaining this responsibility, as their interest in features from the 2025 AutoPacific survey indicates. More potential buyers desire a feature that lends advanced support to enhance their driving experience without removing their responsibility to remain attentive and engaged. 

For the 38 percent of drivers who responded to the AutoPacific survey desiring a totally autonomous vehicle for their own personal use, patience will likely be required. According to the automated vehicle safety guide published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “[t]here is no vehicle currently available for sale that is fully automated or ‘self-driving.’ Every vehicle currently for sale in the United States requires the full attention of the driver at all times for safe operation.” These SAE Level 4 and SAE Level 5 vehicles, which NHTSA characterizes as having high automation and full automation, respectively, are something we can look for down the road, just not quite yet. 

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