How good is the semi-autonomous driving system in your car?

Independent safety body – and the European equivalent to Australia's ANCAP – Euro NCAP has tested the semi-autonomous driving systems in seven new cars, with some vehicles performing distinctly better than others.

Referred to as 'Highway Assist' systems by Euro NCAP, these semi-autonomous (typically Level 2) systems combine adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist functions to "maintain a steady speed, to keep a safe distance from the car in front and to keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane," with the driver's hands and eyes remaining on the wheel and road respectively at all times.

The latest round of Euro NCAP's semi-autonomous driving tests (known as Assisted Driving gradings) comprised seven vehicles: the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Toyota Yaris, Polestar 2, Cupra Formentor, BMW iX3, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Opel Mokka-e.

Just two of the seven tested are currently on sale in Australia (Ioniq 5 and Yaris), with the BMW iX3 to launch within the coming weeks, followed by the Polestar 2 in January 2022, and the Cupra Formentor in mid-2022.

There are no plans to sell the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Opel Mokka-e locally (for now).

Vehicles are put through an array of day-to-day and emergency manoeuvres, testing each car's behaviour in situations from adapting speed through corners and reacting to cars pulling out in front, to steering to avoid an obstacle and braking for a stationary car.

Performance is graded across two categories: Assisted Competence, said to refer to "the degree to which the system helps a driver", and Safety Backup, which tests the measures in place by the system to safety control or stop the vehicle if the driver is unresponsive, or an impending collision is detected.

Of the seven cars tested, only the BMW iX3 received the maximum four-point 'Very Good' rating, with experts commending its upgraded sensor set that allowed for high or full marks in most categories. It lost points, however, for its driver monitoring system and lack of lane change assist functionality.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E and Cupra Formentor received 'Good' ratings – with the Mach-E losing more points in the Assisted Competence category – while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Polestar 2 receiving 'Moderate' ratings.

The Ioniq 5 was marked down heavily in the Safety Backup category for a reported lack of a system that brings the car to a halt when the driver's hands are taken off the steering wheel for a long period of time.

Meanwhile, the Polestar 2's Safety Backup score was one of the best on test, but the electric car lost points after it was unable to detect speed signs and adjust the vehicle's speed for corners and roundabouts. An over-the-air software update is on the way, Euro NCAP says.

The Toyota Yaris and Opel Mokka-e received the lowest 'Entry' scores, with the Yaris unable to stop for stationary cars at high speeds, and simply deactivating the assisted driving system when the driver is detected to be unresponsive, rather than bringing it safely to a halt.

For more details on how each car performed, click here.

"This balance between assistance and engagement is crucial. Cars are not yet capable of fully automated driving and drivers should not be misled into thinking that they are," said Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP.

"Reports from America have highlighted the very serious problems that can happen when people have an unrealistically high expectation of what such systems can offer, and when the car in which they are driving does not actively try to get them back in the loop. We are pleased that the manufacturers represented in this round of tests make clear the level of support that they can provide."

Euro NCAP conducted similar Assisted Driving tests in 2020 using the same test protocol as 2021's testing, with the Audi Q8, Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW 3 Series receiving the highest 'Very Good' scores, and the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Clio the lowest.

Interestingly, the Tesla Model 3 – which features the latest iteration of Tesla's Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system – only received a 'Moderate' rating in Euro NCAP's 2020 testing, with a 35 per cent score for the Assistance Competence category.