If you spend a lot of time on the 405 or the 5, you know how much long freeway drives wear you out. Super Cruise is Cadillac's answer to that. It lets you take your hands off the wheel on compatible roads, as long as your eyes stay on the road. Here's how it actually works, what it needs from you and which Cadillacs have it.
What Super Cruise Is and Isn't
Super Cruise is an available driver assistance technology that allows hands-free driving on compatible roads. It isn't self-driving, and Cadillac is clear about that. You're still the driver and you still need to pay attention the whole time. It works together with Adaptive Cruise Control, which handles acceleration and braking, so your arms and shoulders get a break on longer drives.
How It Works
Super Cruise uses an OnStar connection, real-time positioning, cameras, sensors and LiDAR map data to read the road ahead, curves included. You turn it on by pressing the Adaptive Cruise Control button and the Super Cruise button, and it takes over the steering when conditions allow.
Cadillac maps the compatible roads ahead of time, and the network covers hundreds of thousands of miles across North America. Your vehicle's infotainment screen shows the current list, so that's the best place to check before a trip.
It Watches to Make Sure You're Watching
A Driver Attention System camera keeps track of your head and eye position. If it thinks you're not looking at the road, it lets you know in stages:
- First alert: the light bar on the steering wheel flashes green.
- Second alert: if that goes on too long, the light bar flashes red and you'll hear beeps or feel the Safety Alert Seat vibrate.
- Third alert: if the red keeps flashing, a voice prompt tells you to take over. If you don't, the vehicle slows in its lane, eventually brakes to a stop, and prompts an OnStar Emergency-Certified Advisor.
Taking back control is easy. Grab the wheel and press the brake or press the Super Cruise button. On an EV, you can also pull the Regen on Demand paddle.
Lane Changes and Towing
On properly equipped vehicles, Automatic Lane Change can signal, change lanes, pass a slower vehicle and move back over without you lifting a finger. There's also Turn Signal Activated Lane Change, where a tap of the turn signal tells the car you want to move over. And if your Cadillac has Super Cruise trailering capability, it can recognize when you're pulling a trailer and leave more room to the vehicle ahead.
When to Keep Your Hands on the Wheel
Super Cruise isn't meant for every situation. Cadillac says not to use it:
- When you're not on a compatible road
- In rain, fog or other bad weather
- When lane markings are poor, or in tunnels and construction zones
- In a freeway or highway exit lane
- When towing, unless your vehicle has Super Cruise trailering capability
Which Cadillacs Have It
Super Cruise is available across most of the lineup, including the LYRIQ, OPTIQ, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, CT4 and CT5. On the VISTIQ, it's standard.
It does need an active OnStar plan to work. New Cadillacs with Super Cruise come with an included plan period, and after that you'll need an eligible plan to keep using it. Ask us what's included on the model you're looking at.
Try It Before You Buy
The best way to understand Super Cruise is to use it. Browse our new Cadillac inventory, then reach out to our team and ask for a Super Cruise demo on your test drive. We're at 2600 Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa.
Super Cruise: Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Always use Super Cruise in accordance with local laws. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires an active service plan or trial. Terms apply. Super Cruise is not a self-driving system and is available on select vehicles. Compatible roads can change, so check the compatible roads in your vehicle's infotainment settings before use. Read the Owner's Manual for important feature limitations.
