Does the Blazer EV have Super Cruise?
Yes, the Chevrolet Blazer EV does offer the Super Cruise feature, available on select trims. Super Cruise, General Motors’ advanced driver assistance technology, provides a semi-autonomous driving experience, allowing hands-free driving on over 400,000 miles of compatible roads. For those interested in experiencing the blend of electric power and cutting-edge driver assistance, you can get your own Blazer EV at Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake.
How Does Super Cruise Work in the Blazer EV?
Super Cruise is a feature that has gained attention for its promise of hands-free driving, but it’s important to understand that it is not fully autonomous. While Super Cruise can manage steering, acceleration, and braking on compatible highways, drivers still need to remain attentive. The system uses a driver attention monitoring camera to ensure the driver is focused on the road at all times. If you look away for too long or become distracted, the system will issue alerts, and if necessary, it will disengage until you take control of the vehicle again.
The availability of Super Cruise in the Blazer EV is a significant step for Chevrolet as it continues to push boundaries with its electric vehicle offerings. However, it’s worth noting that Super Cruise is currently available only on select trims of the Blazer EV, meaning it might not be included in every model. This limitation is expected to change as GM expands the availability of this feature in future vehicle models, including both electric and traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
What Is the Driving Experience Like with Super Cruise?
As for the driving experience, Super Cruise in the Blazer EV is designed to make long highway trips more comfortable and safe by reducing driver fatigue. Once engaged, the system takes over steering and speed control on pre-mapped, compatible highways. It’s particularly useful on well-maintained, multi-lane roads where it can effectively maintain distance from other vehicles and even manage lane changes in some cases.
However, Super Cruise does come with limitations. It can only operate on roads that have been pre-mapped by GM using LiDAR data. This means it won’t work on city streets, small local roads, or roads outside the mapped regions. Additionally, Super Cruise does not handle all driving tasks. For example, it cannot avoid obstacles like road debris or sudden hazards, so the driver must remain alert and ready to intervene if necessary.
How to Disengage Super Cruise in the Blazer EV
If you wish to disengage Super Cruise at any point, it’s simple to do so by either pressing the brake pedal or taking hold of the steering wheel. These actions will instantly return control to the driver, allowing for full manual operation of the Blazer EV. While the system allows for hands-free driving, you are always in charge of the vehicle’s safety and operation, especially in scenarios where the technology might not be able to respond effectively.
One question often asked by prospective buyers is how frequently the Super Cruise system is updated. The system relies on a continually updated set of maps, using high-definition LiDAR to ensure the roads are compatible with hands-free driving. These updates are provided periodically by GM, ensuring the system stays accurate and reliable for navigating highways.
Is Super Cruise Fully Autonomous?
For those wondering if Super Cruise drives the vehicle entirely by itself, the answer is both yes and no. While it does handle many aspects of driving, like maintaining lane position and adjusting speed, it doesn’t replace the driver. Super Cruise is designed as a driver assistance feature, not an autonomous driving system. The driver remains responsible for the vehicle and must be prepared to take control at any moment. This is a crucial difference from fully autonomous systems like those currently in development by other manufacturers.
Key Benefits of Super Cruise in the Blazer EV
Super Cruise also enhances highway safety by providing features like lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. The system monitors road conditions and adjusts accordingly to ensure a smooth, safe journey. If an unexpected situation arises, such as heavy traffic or inclement weather, Super Cruise will alert the driver and may require manual intervention.
Here are some key benefits of using Super Cruise in the Blazer EV:
- Hands-free driving on compatible highways, reducing driver fatigue
- Automatic lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control
- Driver attention monitoring system for added safety
- Updates with the latest LiDAR data for accurate mapping
- Easy disengagement through the brake pedal or steering wheel
For those curious about whether Super Cruise will eventually be available across all trims of the Blazer EV, GM has indicated that more vehicles will be equipped with this technology in the future. However, it’s not yet standard across the board, and buyers should check the specific model trim if this feature is essential to them.
Super Cruise and Chevrolet’s Commitment to Autonomous Driving
In summary, the Chevrolet Blazer EV, equipped with Super Cruise, represents a leap forward in combining electric vehicle innovation with advanced driving assistance. Although not fully autonomous, Super Cruise enhances highway driving comfort and safety. If you’re looking to get behind the wheel of the Blazer EV and experience this technology firsthand, visit Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake to explore your options today.