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I just got a new Subaru Outback with their Eyesight Adaptive Cruise Control. I've gotta say it is fantastic and just the sort of fairly simple and safe technolo

I just got a new Subaru Outback with their Eyesight Adaptive Cruise Control. I've gotta say it is fantastic and just the sort of fairly simple and safe technology that could ease traffic jams. Certainly outside the city where I live, the way it nicely follows cars at a safe distance seems to make a lot of sense. As soon as the lead car moves away, it neatly accelerates to the preset speed and smoothly decelerates on the engine braking (or even real braking if needed) when it sees the gap closing. It's very obvious on my long commute that probably only 30% of cars seem to be using just regular cruise control, based on how their speed varies on the clear open road.

stephengillie 8y ago
Adaptive Cruise is life-changing. I couldn't go back to normal cruise. A major downside to Adaptive Cruise is when another driver uses your gap to change into your lane, and your car slams on its breaks because suddenly their car is just inches away from yours. Recklessly aggressive drivers are learning they can take abuse these safety features in the cars of other drivers, making roadways potentially more unsafe.
- Already__Taken 8y ago
  What are you saying, you want it to crash into them for you? That's a major downside?
  - zyberzero 8y ago
    I'm not parent, but just a note from me: I drove a brand new Volvo XC40 last week that had adaptive cruise control. If someone just cut in to the front of me the car slammed on its brakes even if it wasn't necessary. The car could just as easily slow down gradually until necessary space was free in front of the car (as I usually do when I don't have adaptive cruise control).
    - vinceguidry 8y ago
      Try Mazda, they're much better in that regard.
- vinceguidry 8y ago
  Different cars have different behaviors here. My father has a Toyota Camry, and his will slam on the brakes, while mine, a Mazda 3, will much more gradually slow down and slowly increase the space until the gap is restored. It also seems to have a much more fluid sense for how big that gap should be. I love my Mazda ACC and it will be a major criteria point in future car buying decisions.
Groxx 8y ago
I rented my first Prius recently, and it had this. I absolutely love it. Adaptive cruise is one of those great features that both requires less attention, and teaches better habits.
ufo 8y ago
Cruise control would increase road throughput but, like adding extra roads, it would probably be offset by extra cars in the road anyway

stephengillie 8y ago

Adaptive Cruise is life-changing. I couldn't go back to normal cruise. A major downside to Adaptive Cruise is when another driver uses your gap to change into your lane, and your car slams on its breaks because suddenly their car is just inches away from yours. Recklessly aggressive drivers are learning they can take abuse these safety features in the cars of other drivers, making roadways potentially more unsafe.

Already__Taken 8y ago
What are you saying, you want it to crash into them for you? That's a major downside?
- zyberzero 8y ago
  I'm not parent, but just a note from me: I drove a brand new Volvo XC40 last week that had adaptive cruise control. If someone just cut in to the front of me the car slammed on its brakes even if it wasn't necessary. The car could just as easily slow down gradually until necessary space was free in front of the car (as I usually do when I don't have adaptive cruise control).
  - vinceguidry 8y ago
    Try Mazda, they're much better in that regard.
vinceguidry 8y ago
Different cars have different behaviors here. My father has a Toyota Camry, and his will slam on the brakes, while mine, a Mazda 3, will much more gradually slow down and slowly increase the space until the gap is restored. It also seems to have a much more fluid sense for how big that gap should be. I love my Mazda ACC and it will be a major criteria point in future car buying decisions.

Groxx 8y ago

I rented my first Prius recently, and it had this. I absolutely love it. Adaptive cruise is one of those great features that both requires less attention, and teaches better habits.

ufo 8y ago

Cruise control would increase road throughput but, like adding extra roads, it would probably be offset by extra cars in the road anyway