No, you cannot currently buy a car that is truly self-driving, or what the industry calls Level 5 autonomy. Every vehicle sold to the public today requires the driver to remain actively engaged and responsible for the driving task. What you can purchase are advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that offer features like adaptive cruise control and lane centering, but these are designed to assist you, not replace you.
The most sophisticated systems available are considered Level 2+ automation. This means they can handle steering, acceleration, and braking under specific conditions on controlled-access highways. However, they require you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road at all times. The driver is legally responsible for any accidents.
Here’s a comparison of the leading systems available on the market today:
| Feature / System | Tesla "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) Beta | GM Super Cruise | Ford BlueCruise | Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT |
|---|
| Operational Design Domain (ODD) | City streets & highways | Divided highways only (mapped) | Divided highways only (mapped) | High-traffic congestion, specific highways |
| Hands-Free? | No (steering wheel torque monitoring) | Yes (on mapped highways) | Yes (on mapped highways) | Yes (in approved conditions) |
| Lane Change Capability | Automated (with driver confirmation) | Automated (on command) | Automated (on command) | Not Available |
| Traffic Light/Sign Response | Yes | No | No | No |
| Approximate Current Cost | $12,000 or $199/month subscription | Often included or ~$2,500+ | Often included or ~$2,100+ | $2,500 (on EQS/S-Class) |
| Key Limitation | Driver must be ready to intervene instantly | Limited to over 400,000 miles of mapped roads | Limited to over 130,000 miles of mapped roads | Only functions up to 40 mph in heavy traffic |
The path to higher levels of autonomy is slower than many predicted due to immense technological, regulatory, and ethical challenges. For now, it's crucial to understand the capabilities and, more importantly, the significant limitations of these systems before considering a purchase.
