ADAS safeguards are lacking across auto brands: IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a study showing that Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) safeguards are lacking across brands, with most of the 14 partially automated systems tested receiving “marginal” or “poor” ratings.

In a press release shared on Tuesday, the IIHS released early results from the new ratings system, noting that partial automation systems from Tesla, Ford, Nissan, and most other automakers that were tested were lacking in multiple categories. The study offered ratings of good, acceptable, marginal or poor, both overall and in specific categories.

Level 2 systems like Tesla Autopilot can improve drivers’ attentiveness: IIHS study

“We evaluated partial automation systems from BMW, Ford, General Motors, Genesis, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Tesla and Volvo,” said David Harkey, IIHS President. “Most of them don’t include adequate measures to prevent misuse and keep drivers from losing focus on what’s happening on the road.”

Of the 14 partially automated systems tested thus far, only one system from any automaker was deemed acceptable, while two were rated marginal, 11 were rated poor, and none were rated good. The categories that were individually rated for each system included driver monitoring, attention reminders, emergency procedures, lane change, adaptive cruise control (ACC) resume, cooperative steering, and safety features.

The IIHS gave both Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta systems poor ratings overall, while Volvo Pilot Assist, Nissan ProPilot, Mercedes Active Distance Assist Distronic, Ford BlueCruise and several others were rated poor. Driver monitoring and attention reminders were some of the lower-rated categories across most brands, highlighting the ability for drivers to trick systems into thinking they’re being fully aware.

The research non-profit also noted that there was “little” evidence to support that partially automated systems like these are actually at the point that they currently make driving safer—though most companies target safety as a number one goal with ADAS programs.

“Some drivers may feel that partial automation makes long drives easier, but there is little evidence it makes driving safer,” Harkey said. “As many high-profile crashes have illustrated, it can introduce new risks when systems lack the appropriate safeguards.”

The top-rated systems in the index included Lexus Teammate with Advanced Drive with an acceptable rating, along with the GM Super Cruise and Nissan ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link. Every other system was rated poor overall.

You can see the full category breakdowns from tests of Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD beta systems from the IIHS below, along with those of a few others.

Credit: IIHS

“These results are worrying, considering how quickly vehicles with these partial automation systems are hitting our roadways,” Harkey added.

“But there’s a silver lining if you look at the performance of the group as a whole. No single system did well across the board, but in each category at least one system performed well. That means the fixes are readily available and, in some cases, may be accomplished with nothing more than a simple software update.”

Below you can see overall ratings for each system tested.

System Tested
Vehicle
Overall Rating

Lexus Teammate with Advanced Drive

2022-2024 Lexus LS

Acceptable

GM Super Cruise

2023-2024 GMC Sierra

Marginal

Nissan ProPILOT Assist with Navi-Link

2023-2024 Nissan Ariya

Marginal

BMW Active Driving Assistant Pro

2023-2024 BMW X1

Poor

Ford BlueCruise

2021-2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Poor

Ford Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering Assist

2021-2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Poor

Genesis Highway Driving Assist 2

2023-2024 Genesis G90

Poor

Genesis Smart Cruise Control/Lane Following Assist

2023-2024 Genesis G90

Poor

Lexus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Lane Tracing Assist

2022-2024 Lexus LS

Poor

Mercedes-Benz Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist

2022-2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Poor

Nissan ProPILOT Assist 2.0

2023-2024 Nissan Ariya

Poor

Tesla Autopilot version 2023.7.10

2021-2023 Tesla Model 3

Poor

Tesla Full Self-Driving beta version 2023.7.10

2021-2023 Tesla Model 3

Poor

Volvo Pilot Assist

2022-2024 Volvo S90

Poor

You can view the full list of rankings with individual category rankings from the IIHS here, or view the institute’s test protocol and rating guidelines here. Additionally, see the institute’s press release detailing the rating system’s early results here.

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send your tips to us at tips@teslarati.com.

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