🚫 The Claims
“Tesla’s FSD is only Level 2, so it must be worse than Mercedes Drive Pilot Level 3 or Waymo Level 4.”
“It’ll never be able to work without LiDAR.”
“Other systems like Blue Cruise are just as good as FSD.”
“Level 3 systems are safer and better.”
“Competitors offer better software’s included with their vehicles for free”
🧠 What People Get Wrong
People often assume SAE levels indicate how advanced a system is—but they don’t. They define driver responsibility, not real-world capability. Tesla’s supervised Level 2 FSD routinely outperforms all Level 3 and even Level 4 systems in actual real world function. It works on highways, city streets, roundabouts, parking lots, and handles complex scenarios end-to-end, unlike competitors stuck in geofenced zones or limited to adaptive cruise control.
People equate SAE levels with how “advanced” a self-driving or ADAS system is. This is fundamentally wrong.
Tesla’s Level 2 FSD consistently outperforms higher-level systems in real-world driving—a fact explored in detail below. Unlike LiDAR-reliant systems, Tesla’s neural net sees and reacts like a human—this is the core of its advantage. It can work without geofences or strict restrictions. It sees, interprets, and acts instantly.
🚦 Level 2 vs Level 3: Don’t Be Fooled by the Label
- Level 2 (Tesla FSD): Can handle city and highway, navigate intersections, stop lights, roundabouts, and parking lots. Needs supervision, but drives the full route.
- Level 3 (Mercedes Drive Pilot): Works only below 40 mph on dry, pre-mapped highways, following another car. No city or cross-traffic handling.
- Level 4 (Waymo): Operates only in geofenced zones (e.g., Phoenix), no highways, not available for purchase, and fails outside its sandbox.
FSD can take you from your driveway to your destination, through traffic lights and turns. No other consumer system comes close.
Mercedes Level 3 is a gimmick. It’s practically unusable. It’s just a glorified bumper-to-bumper adaptive cruise control that lets you not pay attention. Its use cases are few and none. Just look at the limitations and think about how that would help you. Would you really watch a movie knowing it can disengage if the sun hits just right or it starts raining?
Tesla could’ve released a Mercedes-style Level 3 system years ago, but their aim has always been true autonomy. That’s why their Level 4 rollout starts in Austin this summer, with rapid global expansion ahead.
📊 Capability Comparison
Tesla’s FSD v13 redefines autonomy with city navigation and point-to-point mastery. Most competitors—like Chevy’s Super Cruise or Tesla’s free Autopilot—are basic cruise controls. SAE Levels mislead; my Capability Score reveals true performance. The score is calculated by assigning weights to key categories, with a maximum possible score of 10.0. Compare below.
This chart isn’t meant to rank systems or pick a winner. It’s not focused on marketing claims or future updates. Instead, it offers a transparent comparison of what each system can actually do today, based on real-world functionality—not SAE labels, region-specific rollouts, or controlled test environments. While systems like Waymo or Xpeng NGP may perform well in certain urban areas, that doesn’t mean they operate consistently or safely across diverse, unpredictable situations. Tesla FSD’s performance in China—achieved with only simulation training and no local data—already shows a major advantage in generalization over LiDAR-dependent systems.
USA ADAS Systems
Does not include all systems available in the US. Only includes systems I’ve personally tested or thoroughly researched. Note that Waymo is a robotaxi service, not a consumer ADAS system.
| Manufacturer | System Name | Release Date | SAE Level | Highway Driving | City/Urban Driving | Lane Keep Assist | Auto Lane Changing | Navigation Integration | Traffic Light/Sign Response | Point-to-Point Autonomy | Reverse | Remote Summon | Driver Monitoring | Speed Limitation | Availability | Price (USD) | Capability Score | Key Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | FSD v13 | Dec 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | HW4 vehicles | $8,000 or $99/mo | 9.95 | Supervision required, rare edge-case errors. Robust in night/sunlight conditions. | |
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | FSD v12.6 | Dec 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | HW3 vehicles | $8,000 or $99/mo | 8.825 | Supervision required, less robust than v13. Limited in complex urban scenarios. | ||
| Waymo 🇺🇸 | Waymo Driver | Dec 2018 | L4 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Limited | Unsupervised, no driver | 30 mph (SF), 45 mph (Phoenix) | Robotaxi only | N/A | 6.3 | Robotaxi system, not ADAS. Geofenced to parts of specific cities (Phoenix, SF, LA), no highways despite 65 mph approval. Robust in night/sunlight with LiDAR. Not available for consumer purchase – operates as a ride-hailing service only. | |
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | Enhanced Autopilot | Oct 2016 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | Discontinued Apr 2024, was $6,000 | 3.05 | Supervision required, highway-only, no traffic light response. Robust in night/sunlight conditions. Includes emergency braking and collision avoidance. | |||||
| BMW 🇩🇪 | Driving Assistance Professional | Jul 2019 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Steering torque, cabin camera | High-end models | $2,100-$3,500 | 2.7 | Supervision required. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Hyundai 🇰🇷 | Highway Driving Assist II | Aug 2020 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | Steering torque, significant input required | High-end models | $1,500-$2,500 | 1.6 | Supervision required, geofenced, does not operate in certain weather or road conditions, no navigation integration. Should not be used in poor weather, heavy traffic, or on winding/slippery roads. | |||||||
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | Autopilot | Oct 2015 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | Included | 2.05 | Supervision required, highway-only, no parking. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. Includes emergency braking and collision avoidance. | ||||||||
| Ford 🇺🇸 | BlueCruise | Apr 2021 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end models | $2,100 (3 yrs) + $800/yr | 2.7 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Reliable in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| GM 🇺🇸 | Super Cruise | Oct 2017 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end Cadillac, Chevrolet | $2,500-$4,000 (3 yrs) + $25/mo | 1.7 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Reliable in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Lincoln 🇺🇸 | ActiveGlide | Sep 2021 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end models | $2,100 (3 yrs) + $800/yr | 1.7 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Reliable in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Nissan 🇯🇵 | ProPILOT Assist 2.0 | Oct 2019 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end models | $2,000-$3,000 | 1.7 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Poor performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Rivian 🇺🇸 | Highway Assist | Oct 2021 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | Included | 1.7 | Supervision required, major pre-mapped highways only. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. Practically unusable in poor weather. | ||||||||
| Rivian 🇺🇸 | Enhanced Highway Assist | Mar 2025 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | Gen 2 R1 vehicles | $1,500-$2,000 | 1.875 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Robust performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Toyota 🇯🇵 | Safety Sense 3.0 | Feb 2022 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | Most models | Included | 1.6 | Supervision required, highway-only. Poor performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||||
| Volkswagen 🇩🇪 | Travel Assist | Jun 2020 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Steering torque | Most models | $1,000-$2,000 | 1.6 | Supervision required, no navigation. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||||
| Volvo 🇸🇪🇨🇳 | Pilot Assist | Apr 2016 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Steering torque | Most models | $1,500-$2,500 | 1.6 | Supervision required, highway only. Poor performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||||
| Stellantis 🇳🇱🇨🇦 | Hands-Free Active Driving Assist | Jun 2023 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Steering torque | High-end Jeep, Chrysler | $2,000-$3,000 | 1.6 | Supervision required, highway-only, no navigation. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||||
| Mercedes-Benz 🇩🇪 | DrivePilot (L3) | May 2023 | L3 | Limited | ✔ | Unsupervised, ready to take over within seconds if prompted | <40 mph (US), <90 kph (DE) | High-end S-Class, EQS | $2,500/yr | 2.1 | Pre-approved highways only, specific conditions: clear lane markings, moderate to heavy traffic, clear weather, no direct sunlight, no night, no tunnels. Single-lane operation. Traffic jam use only. | |||||||
| Mercedes-Benz 🇩🇪 | DrivePilot (L2) | May 2023 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | <40 mph (US), <90 kph (DE) | High-end S-Class, EQS | $2,500/yr | 1.7 | Supervision required, pre-approved highways only, specific conditions: clear lane markings, moderate to heavy traffic, clear weather, no direct sunlight, no night, no tunnels. Traffic jam use only. Requires hands on wheel readiness. | |||||||
| Audi 🇩🇪 | Traffic Jam Assist | Sep 2017 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Steering torque, significant input required | <37 mph | High-end models | $2,000-$3,500 | 1.6 | Supervision required. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. |
China ADAS Systems
Does not include all systems available in China. Multiple of the others available in US are also available in China.
| Manufacturer | System Name | Release Date | SAE Level | Highway Driving | City/Urban Driving | Lane Keep Assist | Auto Lane Changing | Navigation Integration | Traffic Light/Sign Response | Point-to-Point Autonomy | Reverse | Remote Summon | Driver Monitoring | Speed Limitation | Availability | Price (USD) | Capability Score | Key Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | FSD v13 | Dec 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | HW4 vehicles | $8,000 or $99/mo | 9.95 | Supervision required, rare edge-case errors. Robust in night/sunlight conditions. | |
| Xiaomi 🇨🇳 | XPILOT Max | Mar 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | Pro/Max/Ultra trims only | Included in SU7 price | 8.65 | Supervision required, limited reliability in night/sunlight/poor weather conditions. Full end-to-end neural network system. LiDAR only in Pro/Max/Ultra trims. | ||
| Xiaomi 🇨🇳 | XPILOT Pro | Mar 2024 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | Standard trim only | Included in SU7 price | 1.7 | Supervision required, limited reliability in night/sunlight/poor weather conditions. No LiDAR in Standard trim. | ||||||||
| Xpeng 🇨🇳 | NGP | Mar 2022 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | Most models | $3,000-$5,000 | 8.675 | Supervision required, too cautious with pedestrians. Not smooth or confident. Heuristic approach. Geofenced. | ||
| Li Auto 🇨🇳 | ADMAX v13.0 | Jun 2022 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end models | $3,000-$5,000 | 8.325 | Supervision required, inconsistent performance in night conditions. | ||
| Zeekr 🇨🇳 | NZP | Apr 2022 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | $2,500-$4,000 | 8.325 | Supervision required, edge-case issues in night/sunlight conditions. | ||
| Huawei 🇨🇳 | ADS 3.2.1 | Aug 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | Huawei & partner vehicles (Aito, Avatr, Luxeed, etc) | $3,500-$6,000 | 8.325 | Supervision required, limited performance in sunlight conditions. Requires maps for navigation, won’t engage on unmapped roads. | ||
| Baidu 🇨🇳 | Apollo ADAS | May 2021 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera | Partner vehicles (primarily robotaxi, non-consumer vehicles) | N/A | 8.325 | Supervision required, geofenced, struggles in night/sunlight conditions. Primarily robotaxi, partnered with multiple commercial automakers. | ||
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | Enhanced Autopilot | Oct 2016 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | Discontinued Apr 2024, was $6,000 | 3.05 | Supervision required, highway-only, no traffic light response. Robust in night/sunlight conditions. Includes emergency braking and collision avoidance. | |||||
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | Autopilot | Oct 2015 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | Included | 2.05 | Supervision required, highway-only, no parking. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. Includes emergency braking and collision avoidance. | ||||||||
| NIO 🇨🇳 | Pilot | Jan 2021 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | $3,000-$4,000 | 2.7 | Supervision required, geofenced, issues in night/sunlight conditions. | |||||
| NIO 🇨🇳 | Pilot + | Jan 2021 | L2 | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | $55/mo | 5.15 | Supervision required, limited urban use, geofenced, issues in night/sunlight conditions. |
All Systems
| Manufacturer | System Name | Release Date | SAE Level | Highway Driving | City/Urban Driving | Lane Keep Assist | Auto Lane Changing | Navigation Integration | Traffic Light/Sign Response | Point-to-Point Autonomy | Reverse | Remote Summon | Driver Monitoring | Speed Limitation | Availability | Price (USD) | Capability Score | Key Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | FSD v13 | Dec 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | HW4 vehicles | $8,000 or $99/mo | 9.95 | Supervision required, rare edge-case errors. Robust in night/sunlight conditions. | |
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | FSD v12.6 | Dec 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | HW3 vehicles | $8,000 or $99/mo | 8.825 | Supervision required, less robust than v13. Limited in complex urban scenarios. | ||
| Xiaomi 🇨🇳 | XPILOT Max | Mar 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | Pro/Max/Ultra trims only | Included in SU7 price | 8.65 | Supervision required, limited reliability in night/sunlight/poor weather conditions. Full end-to-end neural network system. LiDAR only in Pro/Max/Ultra trims. | ||
| Xpeng 🇨🇳 | NGP | Mar 2022 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | Most models | $3,000-$5,000 | 8.675 | Supervision required, too cautious with pedestrians. Not smooth or confident. Heuristic approach. Geofenced. | ||
| Li Auto 🇨🇳 | ADMAX v13.0 | Jun 2022 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end models | $3,000-$5,000 | 8.325 | Supervision required, inconsistent performance in night conditions. | ||
| Zeekr 🇨🇳 | NZP | Apr 2022 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | $2,500-$4,000 | 8.325 | Supervision required, edge-case issues in night/sunlight conditions. | ||
| Huawei 🇨🇳 | ADS 3.2.1 | Aug 2024 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | Huawei & partner vehicles (Aito, Avatr, Luxeed, etc) | $3,500-$6,000 | 8.325 | Supervision required, limited performance in sunlight conditions. Requires maps for navigation, won’t engage on unmapped roads. | ||
| Baidu 🇨🇳 | Apollo ADAS | May 2021 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera | Partner vehicles (primarily robotaxi, non-consumer vehicles) | N/A | 8.325 | Supervision required, geofenced, struggles in night/sunlight conditions. Primarily robotaxi, partnered with multiple commercial automakers. | ||
| Waymo 🇺🇸 | Waymo Driver | Dec 2018 | L4 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Limited | Unsupervised, no driver | 30 mph (SF), 45 mph (Phoenix) | Robotaxi only | N/A | 6.3 | Robotaxi system, not ADAS. Geofenced to parts of specific cities (Phoenix, SF, LA), no highways despite 65 mph approval. Robust in night/sunlight with LiDAR. Not available for consumer purchase – operates as a ride-hailing service only. | |
| NIO 🇨🇳 | Pilot + | Jan 2021 | L2 | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | $55/mo | 5.15 | Supervision required, limited urban use, geofenced, issues in night/sunlight conditions. | |||
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | Enhanced Autopilot | Oct 2016 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | Discontinued Apr 2024, was $6,000 | 3.05 | Supervision required, highway-only, no traffic light response. Robust in night/sunlight conditions. Includes emergency braking and collision avoidance. | |||||
| BMW 🇩🇪 | Driving Assistance Professional | Jul 2019 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Steering torque, cabin camera | High-end models | $2,100-$3,500 | 2.7 | Supervision required. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Ford 🇺🇸 | BlueCruise | Apr 2021 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end models | $2,100 (3 yrs) + $800/yr | 2.7 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Reliable in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| NIO 🇨🇳 | Pilot | Jan 2021 | L2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Limited | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | $3,000-$4,000 | 2.7 | Supervision required, geofenced, issues in night/sunlight conditions. | |||||
| Mercedes-Benz 🇩🇪 | DrivePilot (L3) | May 2023 | L3 | Limited | ✔ | Unsupervised, ready to take over within seconds if prompted | <40 mph (US), <90 kph (DE) | High-end S-Class, EQS | $2,500/yr | 2.1 | Pre-approved highways only, specific conditions: clear lane markings, moderate to heavy traffic, clear weather, no direct sunlight, no night, no tunnels. Single-lane operation. Traffic jam use only. | |||||||
| Tesla 🇺🇸 | Autopilot | Oct 2015 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | Included | 2.05 | Supervision required, highway-only, no parking. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. Includes emergency braking and collision avoidance. | ||||||||
| Rivian 🇺🇸 | Enhanced Highway Assist | Mar 2025 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | Gen 2 R1 vehicles | $1,500-$2,000 | 1.875 | Supervision required, major pre-mapped highways only. Robust performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| GM 🇺🇸 | Super Cruise | Oct 2017 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end Cadillac, Chevrolet | $2,500-$4,000 (3 yrs) + $25/mo | 1.7 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Often becomes unavailable randomly. Reliable in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Lincoln 🇺🇸 | ActiveGlide | Sep 2021 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end models | $2,100 (3 yrs) + $800/yr | 1.7 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Reliable in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Nissan 🇯🇵 | ProPILOT Assist 2.0 | Oct 2019 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | High-end models | $2,000-$3,000 | 1.7 | Supervision required, highway-only, premapped roads. Poor performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||
| Rivian 🇺🇸 | Highway Assist | Oct 2021 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | All vehicles | Included | 1.7 | Supervision required, major pre-mapped highways only. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. Practically unusable in poor weather. | ||||||||
| Mercedes-Benz 🇩🇪 | DrivePilot (L2) | May 2023 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | <40 mph (US), <90 kph (DE) | High-end S-Class, EQS | $2,500/yr | 1.7 | Supervision required, pre-approved highways only, specific conditions: clear lane markings, moderate to heavy traffic, clear weather, no direct sunlight, no night, no tunnels. Traffic jam use only. Requires hands on wheel readiness. | |||||||
| Xiaomi 🇨🇳 | XPILOT Pro | Mar 2024 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | Standard trim only | Included in SU7 price | 1.7 | Supervision required, limited reliability in night/sunlight/poor weather conditions. No LiDAR in Standard trim. | ||||||||
| Hyundai 🇰🇷 | Highway Driving Assist II | Aug 2020 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Limited | Steering torque, significant input required | High-end models | $1,500-$2,500 | 1.6 | Supervision required, geofenced, does not operate in certain weather or road conditions, no navigation integration. Should not be used in poor weather, heavy traffic, or on winding/slippery roads. | |||||||
| Toyota 🇯🇵 | Safety Sense 3.0 | Feb 2022 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Cabin camera, steering torque | Most models | Included | 1.6 | Supervision required, highway-only. Poor performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||||
| Volkswagen 🇩🇪 | Travel Assist | Jun 2020 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Steering torque | Most models | $1,000-$2,000 | 1.6 | Supervision required, no navigation. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||||
| Volvo 🇸🇪🇨🇳 | Pilot Assist | Apr 2016 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Steering torque | Most models | $1,500-$2,500 | 1.6 | Supervision required, highway only. Poor performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||||
| Stellantis 🇳🇱🇨🇦 | Hands-Free Active Driving Assist | Jun 2023 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Steering torque | High-end Jeep, Chrysler | $2,000-$3,000 | 1.6 | Supervision required, highway-only, no navigation. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. | ||||||||
| Audi 🇩🇪 | Traffic Jam Assist | Sep 2017 | L2 | Limited | ✔ | Steering torque, significant input required | <37 mph | High-end models | $2,000-$3,500 | 1.6 | Supervision required. Decent performance in night/sunlight conditions. | |||||||
| BMW 🇩🇪 | Personal Pilot L3 | Mar 2024 | L3 | Limited | ✔ | Unsupervised, ready to take over within seconds if prompted | <37 mph | Specific 7 Series models | $6,000 | 2.1 | Available only in Germany. Pre-approved motorways only, specific conditions: clear lane markings, moderate to heavy traffic, up to 37 mph. Single-lane operation. Struggles/limited in heavy rain or adverse conditions. Restricted in tunnels or areas without enough lighting. Relies on 5G connectivity and HD maps. Excludes electric 7 Series models. |
📈 How the Capability Score Is Calculated
The Capability Score (0-10) is my personal opinion on ranking advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) & autonomous systems based on their real-world driving capabilities, emphasizing self-driving features over basic cruise control functions. No system achieves a perfect 10, as even the most advanced require supervision or face limitations. The score is calculated by assigning weights to key categories, reflecting their importance in autonomous driving.
Note: This scoring system reflects current capabilities as of April 2025. These systems are improving exponentially, with many manufacturers making significant advances in their technology. As capabilities evolve, this scoring system will need to be revaluated to maintain its relevance in comparing different systems.
Categories and Weights
- City/Urban Navigation (45%)
- Measures ability to navigate complex urban environments including intersections, pedestrians, traffic lights, stop signs, and complex scenarios
- Scoring: Full capability (✔) = 4.5, Limited = 2.25, Absent = 0
- Why Important: Urban driving represents the most challenging environment for autonomous systems
- Highway + Navigation Autonomy (25%)
- Assesses highway navigation, automatic lane changes without input, and route planning without requiring pre-mapped roads
- Scoring: Full capability (✔) = 2.5, Limited = 1.5, Partial = 0.75, Absent = 0
- Why Important: Shows ability to handle high-speed environments and complex navigation decisions to make it to the destination promptly
- Point-to-Point Autonomy (20%)
- Measures complete journey automation, including unparking, reversing out of a spot/garage/driveway, navigation through streets and parking structures (including underground lots), and parking at the final destination
- Scoring: Full capability (✔) = 2.0, Limited = 1.0, Absent = 0
- Why Important: Demonstrates true autonomous capability
- Driver Monitoring (5%)
- Evaluates level of supervision required and monitoring system sophistication
- Scoring: Unsupervised = 0.5, Minimal input (camera based monitoring) = 0.2, Hands input ocasionally required = 0.1, Heavy supervision = 0
- Why Important: Indicates system reliability and true autonomy level
- Reverse Capability (2.5%)
- Measures ability to handle reverse navigation, multi-point turns, and complex parking maneuvers
- Scoring: Full capability (✔) = 0.25, Limited = 0.125, Absent = 0
- Why Important: Essential for complete autonomous operation in all scenarios
- Extra Credit Factors
- No Geofencing/Road Restrictions (+0.25): System can be enabled and work on any road without geographic limitations
- End-to-End Neural Network (+0.15 full, +0.075 limited): System uses unified neural networks from perception to control. Limited score for partial implementation or different approach.
- Safety Features Included Standard (+0.1): Comprehensive safety package including emergency braking, collision avoidance, and advanced monitoring.
Maximum Base Score: 9.75 (City/Urban: 4.5 + Highway: 2.5 + Point-to-Point: 2.0 + Driver Monitoring: 0.5 + Reverse: 0.25)
Maximum Extra Credit: 0.5 (No Geofencing: 0.25 + Neural Network: 0.15 + Safety: 0.1)
Maximum Total Score: 10.25
Note: Users should be aware of potential regional variations in system capabilities and the subjective nature of this capability score. Different regions may have different regulatory environments and feature availability. This comparison provides a reliable overview for understanding autonomous driving technologies but may not capture all nuances of each system.
Calculation Example
For Tesla FSD v13:
- City/Urban Navigation: ✔ = 4.5
- Highway + Navigation Autonomy: ✔ = 2.5
- Point-to-Point Autonomy: ✔ = 2.0
- Driver Monitoring: High credit = 0.2
- Reverse Capability: ✔ = 0.25
- Extra Credit – No Geofencing: ✔ = 0.25
- Extra Credit – End-to-End Neural Network: ✔ = 0.15
- Extra Credit – Safety Features: ✔ = 0.1
- Total: 4.5 + 2.5 + 2.0 + 0.2 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.15 + 0.1 = 9.95
For Waymo Driver:
- City/Urban Navigation: ✔ = 4.5
- Highway + Navigation Autonomy: ✗ = 0
- Point-to-Point Autonomy: Limited = 1.0
- Driver Monitoring: Full credit = 0.5
- Reverse Capability: Limited = 0.125
- Extra Credit – No Geofencing: ✗ = 0
- Extra Credit – End-to-End Neural Network: Limited = 0.075
- Extra Credit – Safety Features: ✔ = 0.1
- Total: 4.5 + 0 + 1.0 + 0.5 + 0.125 + 0 + 0.075 + 0.1 = 6.3
Why This Scoring?
- Self-Driving Focus: High weight for City/Urban Navigation (45%) rewards systems that handle complex scenarios.
- Navigation Emphasis: Highway + Navigation Autonomy (25%) recognizes systems that combine highway driving and navigation, and are not just single lane cruise control.
- End-to-End Capability: Point-to-Point Autonomy (20%) values complete journey automation.
- Driver Monitoring: Split between base (5%) and extra credit (5%) to recognize truly autonomous systems.
- Extra Credit Factors: Rewards systems without geographic limitations, advanced neural networks, and comprehensive safety features.
Verified April 2025 via manufacturer data, user reports. Prices approximate. Waymo’s L4 is robotaxi-only, not consumer ADAS. Night/sunlight reflects sensor performance in glare/low-light.
Note: FSD v12.6 is a scaled down version of v13 to fit HW3’s compute limits. It’s expected HW3 will soon be receiving a major update getting these additional features HW4 has had, but this is unconfirmed and HW3 vehicles may need to receive hardware upgrades to achieve full functionality.
This comparison may be missing some limitations or features but is mostly accurate. To note, FSD’s end-to-end neural network system with vision-based approach allows it to match the expectation of human drivers which is the key factor that sets it apart from competing systems and makes the ride much more predictable and comfortable.
Important Note: When a system is marked as “Included” in the price, it doesn’t mean it’s free—it’s often bundled into higher trims, raising the overall vehicle cost. In contrast, Tesla includes the hardware for Full Self-Driving in every vehicle, and Autopilot comes standard. Unlocking the full FSD capability only requires a software upgrade, not a higher trim level.
✅ The Truth
- Tesla FSD handles both highway and urban point-to-point trips, including unparking and parking.
- It processes traffic lights, intersections, merges, pedestrians, and even unpaved roads.
- It improves often via OTA updates, no dealership visits for new software needed.
- It operates freely across environments—no geo-fencing or premapped roads required.
- It works nationwide today for hundreds of thousands of owners.
- While unverified, FSD’s 3.8 billion miles driven & Autopilot’s 10+ billion miles driven by April 2025 likely exceeds the combined mileage of all other ADAS systems in America, and this gap is growing exponentially.
- FSD today puts Tesla at least a decade ahead of most rivals in terms of real-world autonomous functionality. With rapid iteration and neural net training, the lead isn’t just significant—it’s accelerating.
- Tesla’s vision-based architecture enables its systems to see and respond to the world like humans do, giving it a fundamental advantage in adaptability.
Tesla’s FSD is the game-changer. No other consumer ADAS comes close to its versatility or capability. Most competitors—like GM’s Super Cruise, Ford’s BlueCruise, or Rivian’s Highway Assist—are most comparable to Tesla’s base Autopilot, which has been standard in all Teslas since 2015, and does not require additional hardware. These systems offer adaptive/smart cruise control and lane-centering but are incapable of following basic navigation, operating in cities, stopping for traffic lights, or driving around in parking lots. They are for straight highway lines and traffic. Even systems like Mercedes’ Drive Pilot, touted as “true Level 3 autonomy,” are limited to specific highways and low speeds, requiring perfect conditions. Waymo’s robotaxis operate in small geofenced zones, and do not yet work on highways. Chinese systems like Xpeng’s NGP show promise but are confined to China and lack FSD’s robustness across environments. No automaker matches FSD’s end-to-end neural network and vision-based approach, which navigates from your driveway to your destination no matter the distance with minimal or no intervention. While supervision is still required and rare errors occur, FSD isn’t just ahead—it’s redefining what autonomy actually means.
Warning to consumers: Don’t be fooled by SAE levels or marketing claims. They do not tell the full story. Real capability—measured across different environments matters more than classification. Tesla’s FSD has no restrictive operational design domain. Always verify claims with independent testing and real user experiences.
Found an inaccuracy or missing feature? This comparison is based on capabilities available as of April 17th, 2025. Future planned or advertised features are not considered.
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