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The past few model years have been instrumental in automotive manufacturers’ commitment to car safety technology. In the past, driver’s aids were seen as an option. Though backup cameras weren’t federally mandated in new vehicles until 2018, luxury cars included them as early as the mid-2000s. Now, even mainstream brands tout advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). For instance, Chevrolet includes Chevy Safety Assist in its vehicles.

Here’s what you need to know about the latest version of Chevy’s suite of advanced safety features.

What Is Chevy Safety Assist, and what are its features in 2023 and 2024?

An infotainment touchscreen showing the icon to access Chevy Driver Assist
Chevy Safety Assist display | Chevrolet

Chevy Safety Assist is a package that bundles six advanced safety features. They are automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and Intellibeam Auto High Beam Assist.

For 2024, Chevy Safety Assist will continue to expand, with the latest vehicles gaining more safety systems. For instance, the all-new 2024 Chevy Traverse will have the above six Chevy Safety Assist features plus front pedestrian and cyclist braking, an HD rear-vision camera, rear cross-traffic braking, blind-zone steering assist, HD surround vision, intersection emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.

How does Chevy collision alert work?

Chevy Safety Assist following distance indicator
Chevy Safety Assist following distance indicator | Chevrolet

Chevy’s collision alert and automatic emergency braking work by using cameras to detect when a potential crash might occur. At first, this collision alert system will warn a driver if it detects a potential imminent front-end collision. Also, it will warn the driver if they’re tailgating a vehicle too closely.

This technology works reliability between 5 and 50 mph. If a collision is about to happen and the driver has not taken action, camera sensors in the vehicle trigger emergency braking. This hard-braking maneuver can be used in conjunction with a driver braking for more stopping power.

Does Chevrolet have hands-free driving?

Driver's seat view of a 2024 Chevy Equinox with Super Cruise engaged
2024 Chevy Equinox EV with Super Cruise | Chevrolet

Chevrolet has hands-free driving on select models. This system, called Super Cruise, offers hands-free driving on over 400,000 miles of compatible roads. It even changes lanes on demand. However, this is not fully autonomous technology. The driver must still be alert and ready to take over at any time. Also, drivers cannot legally use a mobile device with Super Cruise engaged. However, this system is helpful for hands-free driving on long trips.

What is the difference between Chevy Safety Assist and Super Cruise?

Chevy Safety Assist lane keep assist button
Chevy Safety Assist lane keep assist control | Chevrolet

Chevy Safety Assist has a few features that make it seem like it has Super Cruise enabled, but that isn’t true. Safety Assist consists of lane keep assist, a following distance indicator, and cruise control. Unfortunately, these features cannot be used in conjunction with the hands-free system.

Lane keep assist will keep the vehicle from straying out of its lane, but the driver’s hands must always be on the steering wheel. Following distance indicators will warn a driver if their vehicle is too close to the car in front of them, but it will not remain a set distance away from another car, as with adaptive cruise control. However, Chevy Safety Assist’s following distance indicator can be set according to speed, driving conditions, and weather.

What 2023 and 2024 Chevy cars, SUVs, and trucks have Super Cruise?

Only select models have Super Cruise. However, Chevrolet says it’s offering the system on more vehicles than ever. For instance, the 2023 Bolt EUV, 2023 Tahoe, 2023 Suburban, 2023 Silverado LD, 2024 Equinox EV, 2024 Silverado, and 2024 Blazer EV offer Super Cruise on specific trims.

Chevy Safety Assist is a solid package. Although some of its features sound like they would be used in self-driving applications, they are considered advanced driver-assistance systems. Consider a Super Cruise-equipped vehicle for true hands-free driving on pre-mapped roads.