It's not clear when - or if - fully autonomous cars will be an everyday reality. But for now, there are plenty of vehicles with impressive driving assistance tech.
The best 'self-driving cars' will take a lot of the stress out of day-to-drive driving, while their driver-assistance tech could help prevent a collision. Whether it's keeping you in your lane on the motorway or maintaining a safe distance from the car in front, these cars are sure to keep you on the straight and narrow.
Some are even so advanced they're technically capable of achieving what's known as Level 3 autonomy - they can drive themselves for short periods - and are awaiting changes in legislation to make use of this feature a reality.
We've also included cars with self-parking features (because who enjoys parallel parking?) – some of which you don't even need to be in the car for. And yes, adaptive cruise control counts as self-driving technology.
Best self-driving cars 2025
1. Ford Mach E
Bold and brash electric SUV
Pros
-
Long Range models can travel up to 379 miles between charges
-
Spacious interior with separate 'frunk' for charging cables
-
Looks more distinctive than bland alternatives
Cons
-
Slightly underwhelming to drive with harsh ride quality
-
Interior isn't as posh as premium alternatives
-
Mustang Mach-E GT is particularly expensive
In terms of driving assistance technology, Ford went one better than all its rivals by gaining permission to roll out its 'Blue Cruise' technology in the UK, starting with the Mustang Mach-E.
It still doesn't qualify as a Level 3 system, as you still need to keep your eyes on the road, but it will allow you to take your hands off the wheel so long as you're in a designated 'Blue Zone'.
These are exclusively on motorways, and about 95% of the UK motorway network. We've tried it on a Mach-E GT, and it's an eerie sensation letting go of the wheel, but the sense of unease is soon replaced with one of being impressed with how well it all works.
A smorgasbord of cameras and sensors monitor things like road markings, speed limit signs and other cars to keep you in lane and accelerate/brake as necessary, while another driver-facing camera makes sure you really are keeping your eyes on the road and aren't binge-watching Stranger Things behind the wheel.
It's a bit of a shame that access to this tech is on a subscription basis rather than a one-off cost. You get three months free after taking delivery of the vehicle, but after that it's £17.99 a month.
"Taking your hands off the wheel of a Mach E in a 'blue zone' is an eerie experience, but one you'd get used to and appreciate quickly"
Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor
2. Volvo EX90
The ultimate electric family SUV
Pros
-
Incredibly quiet and refined
-
Sophisticated and premium interior
-
Stunning sound system
Cons
-
Touchscreen-centric controls not for everyone
-
Launch models are pricey
-
LiDAR bump detracts from design
When it comes to driving assistance technology, the Volvo EX90 is one of the most advanced cars currently available. It's one of only a few using what's known as LiDAR (light detection and ranging), a sensor working together with the EX90's various cameras, radars and ultrasonic sensors.
These give the EX90 a much more detailed picture of its surroundings as you drive along, even being able to spot other road users from up to 250 metres away. So sophisticated are the EX90's assistance systems, that it has the technical capability to run as a Level 3 autonomous car, which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. But for now, EX90 drivers can't do this.
For now, anyone inside the EX90, and indeed people around it, can benefit from the car's safety tech that is ready to use. This includes the latest version of Volvo's Pilot Assist, which now has Lane Change Assist which is able to find safe gaps in traffic, indicate and carefully steer into it.
"The key part of the EX90's assistance tech is its LiDAR sensor system - that's a rare feature on a car"
Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor
3. Tesla Model 3
Accomplished and sophisticated long-range EV
Pros
-
Great range
-
Digital functionality
-
Facelift updates really enhance its appeal
Cons
-
Reliance on touchscreen – and no indicator stalk
-
No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
-
Car insurance can be expensive
Electric car manufacturer Tesla shouts the loudest about its self-driving tech – and it's not entirely a load of hot air.
Tesla's basic Autopilot system is standard on all the cars it sells in the UK. This combines adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist systems. Essentially, once you're on the motorway, it'll match the speed of the car in front and keep you in your lane with little input from the driver.
The Tesla Model 3 can be equipped with Enhanced Autopilot which can change lanes (you just need to indicate and it'll monitor the surroundings and move over if it's safe to do so), as well as park itself. Then there's the Full Self-Driving Capability – an expensive option which gives the Model 3 the ability to stop at traffic lights or stop signs. Tesla claims via future over-the-air updates it'll eventually be able to "drive itself almost anywhere with minimal driver intervention".
"The name 'Autopilot' oversells Tesla's system a bit, but understand its limitations, and you'll find it very impressive"
Phil Hall, Senior Editor
4. Volvo EX30
Volvo gets the baby SUV formula just about right
Pros
-
Reasonably affordable EV
-
Compact and clever design
-
Dependable range
Cons
-
Rear space is a little limited
-
Touchscreen-centric controls
-
Budget-level quality is evident in places
While it lacks the fancy lidar tech of its bigger EX90 brother, the Volvo EX30 does still have five radars, five cameras and no less than 12 ultra-sonic sensors through which its Pilot Assist system works.
You still get Lane Change Assistance as part of that, and Park Pilot Assist is included, too - also seen on the EX90, this is able to steer, accelerate and brake to safety and effortlessly get you into a parking space. If you hate parallel parking, you'll certainly appreciate this function.
Away from the driving assistance tech, the EX30 looks brilliant, has a decent electric range and unlike the near-£100,000 EX90 is reasonably affordable. The range starts at around a third of that of the EX90 for the Single Motor Core. The Twin Motor Performance is the most expensive and you will need to opt for at least the Plus version to get Pilot Assist and Park Pilot Assist, though.
"The EX30 lacks the outright assistance sophistication of its EX90 big brother, but it is a fraction of the price"
Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor
5. BMW i7/7 Series
High-tech, high class luxury
Pros
-
Fabulous to drive in every way
-
Gorgeous interior quality
-
Astounding technology on offer
Cons
-
All versions are hugely expensive
-
Small boot compared with rivals
-
Some annoying gimmicks
BMW really piled on the driving assistance technology with the latest 7 Series and i7, bundling together various systems into its optional Driving Assistant Professional package.
It includes the usual clever active cruise control, which can keep you in lane and brake or accelerate as necessary depending on what other cars ahead are up to, but goes further with various additional features.
These include assistance when merging onto a motorway, automatic speed limit adjustment, lane change assistance and even a stop-and-go function that can detect traffic lights. A lesser-seen piece of technology it comes with is wrong-way detection.
"It's impressive just how much driver assistance tech BMW has loaded into the i7/7 Series."
Phill Tromans, Contributor
6. Polestar 2
Easy to love Scandi-cool EV
Pros
-
Minimalist Scandi-cool design
-
Decent build quality
-
Easy to live with
Cons
-
No Apple CarPlay on older models
-
Tesla Model 3 is quicker and has better range
-
Lack of on/off button will be unsettling for some
The Polestar 2 still feels like a fresh design even though it was launched in 2020. A tasteful mix of sleek Scandinavian design and user-friendly tech goes a long way to achieving this.
Another element that appeals to many is the Polestar's long list of safety kit - hardly surprising when Polestar is part of the Volvo stable. The 2's standard Pilot Pack comes with Pilot Assist, which incorporates lane keeping tech, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, cross traffic alert, and collision mitigation kit.
All of this together will guide the car for very brief periods when it thinks the driver is not paying sufficient attention. However, it will also very quickly alert the driver to take back control of the steering and other functions, so don't expect to sit back and let the car take the strain.
"Polestar's Pilot Assist isn't the most sophisticated system out there, but it works well"
Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor
7. Lexus LS
Left-field approach to luxury
Pros
-
Eye-catching looks
-
Good equipment levels
-
Brilliant built quality
Cons
-
Could be roomier
-
Dated infotainment
-
Limited engine options
The newest Lexus LS is about as premium as you can get, but what do you get for that money? A whole lot of tech, including Lexus Teammate - that’s what.
Lexus Teammate made its debut in the 2021 Lexus LS and is an all-new advanced driving assistance system, and the brand’s first real foray into the realm of automated driving. It uses AI to learn a driver’s habits and road conditions. This, paired with other vehicle performance data, helps the system predict and react to situations in real time.
In addition to Level 1 systems like lane-keeping assistance and automatic braking, Teammate offers Advanced Drive and Advanced Park, leaving room for future software updates. It isn’t Level 5 automation and Lexus hasn’t yet gone into detail about specifics, but Advanced Drive offers the capabilities of adaptive cruise control, automatic stop-and-go, lane keeping assistance, lane centring assistance, lane changing assistance and automated passing - offering hands-free driving.
"'Teammate' is an apt name for the assistance system on the LS - it really has got your back"
Ivan Aistrop, Contributor
8. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The ultimate in luxury travel
Pros
-
Beautifully quiet and serene
-
Luxurious interior is the pinnacle of comfort
-
Plug-In Hybrid version is the pick of the range
Cons
-
Not a car if you want to stand out from the crowd
-
Best enjoyed from the rear seats rather than behind the wheel
-
Boot of plug-In hybrid is limited in space
Available on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class along with several other models from the German brand, the Driving Assistance Package uses a "stereo multi-purpose camera" at the top of the windscreen, plus a smattering of radar and ultrasonic sensors.
Along with all the usual suspects, including traffic sign recognition and lane keeping assistance, there's also Active Lane Change Assist, which can automatically shift lanes when it's safe to do so.
If you're doing very well at life, of course, you'll be in the back of the S-Class rather than driving it, but it'll be nice to know Parker's job is made easier and potentially a little safer for everyone in the car.
"The S-Class has long been a car tech pioneer, so it's no surprise that the latest one has lots of driving assistance systems"
Matt MacConnell, Contributor
9. BMW iX
Look beyond the massive grille
Pros
-
Exceptional refinement and noise levels
-
Interior is futuristic and feels very spacious
-
Very competitive electric range
Cons
-
A BMW i4 is more fun to drive
-
There are more affordable electric cars on the market
-
It's hardly a looker, is it?
You'll love or loathe the way the BMW iX looks, but there's no denying that it's a very impressive electric SUV. With no fewer than five cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors, it's also very capable at helping you avoid a collision.
BMW says it's aiming for "Level 3 functionality in the medium term," but there's already a long list of standard driver-assist features. These include a front collision warning system that can detect cyclists and pedestrians, while the steering assistant can keep you in your lane on the motorway.
We also like the way the adaptive recuperation feature works with data from the sensors as well as the navigation system. When you're approaching a hazard (such as a corner or a roundabout), the iX's regenerative braking is ramped up so that you slow down as soon as you lift off the accelerator. On the open road, it'll coast freely.
"A midlife facelift hasn't stopped the iX looking divisive, but if you can get past that, it has plenty to offer"
Ivan Aistrop, Contributor
10. Nissan Leaf
An easy-going electric pioneer
Pros
-
Punchy electric acceleration
-
Composed handling
-
Generous safety equipment
Cons
-
Dated infotainment system
-
Standard Leaf has short range
-
Dull interior looks
The second-generation Nissan Leaf is a great entry to the electric car world. It demands few compromises, has punchy acceleration, comes well-equipped and drives better than many rivals. The range isn’t class-leading, but it’s an impressive all-rounder.
A modified, self-driving Nissan Leaf travelled 230 miles across the UK in February 2020 - the longest single journey achieved by an autonomous car in the UK, and one which included B-roads, motorways, roundabouts and overtaking manoeuvres.
The standard Nissan Leaf includes ProPilot (as an option), a semi-autonomous system that can be used when driving in single lanes on dual-carriageways and motorways, helping to maintain lane positioning keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
ProPilot Park tech takes control of the accelerator and brake for completely autonomous parking in both bay and parallel spaces.
"While this generation of the Leaf is being replaced by an all-new car, it makes for a great used buy"
Ivan Aistrop, Contributor
A self-driving car can move without being operated by a driver. Using a combination of radar, sensors and cameras, self-driving cars can get from A to B without any human input. But - legally - fully-automated cars can’t yet be used on UK roads.
While these cars are impressive, they aren’t fully autonomous - as that would mean the car itself is choosing routes and making decisions for itself. Spooky. Most self-driving cars are automated, so they still need a human driver to take control if necessary. To simplify these cars, there’s five levels of grading a vehicle's autonomous capability (0-5).
Level 0 vehicles might issue warnings, but you’ll have to do the work. At Level 1, you’re expected to do the bulk of the driving but you might get features like automatic emergency braking and parking assistance.
The automated system takes control of accelerating, braking and steering at level 2. Even though it’s called hands off, you’ll need to keep your hands on the wheel just in case. This is still relatively rare in the UK - although automation up to level 2 is legal. In fact, the Government has said it’s moving towards having fully self-driving cars on public roads by 2021.
At Level 3, the vehicle will make decisions by itself, such as when to slow down and perform manoeuvres. For example, Level 3 automation could do the driving for you in slow-moving traffic. This technology exists but it’s not yet legal in the UK to use on public roads.
Level 4 lets you go to sleep or leave the driver’s seat while the vehicle is in motion. This sort of self-driving car is either geofenced (strictly limited to certain areas) or reserved for special circumstances like traffic jams.
Level 5 is full automation and includes trialling robot taxis. They tend to lack steering wheels, pedals or other controls. As with Level 4, it's still in development and so not yet legal on roads.
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