Cadillac’s Super Cruise Adds Automated Lane Change, New Vehicles for 2021

Cadillac has upgraded its semi-autonomous Super Cruise system to make automated lane changes on command when the driver taps the turn-signal stalk. And GM’s luxury brand plans to offer the system later this year on three new models: the 2021 CT4 and CT5 sedans and the redesigned 2021 Escalade SUV. It’s the first time Super Cruise will be available on a car besides the CT6 sedan, which has offered it since the 2018 model year.

Related: 2021 Cadillac Escalade Rollin’ Up for Red Carpet Reveal

Cadillac says the lane-change enhancement was made possible by GM’s new, more powerful digital vehicle platform used in these 2021 vehicles. That suggests it won’t be available for current owners of Super Cruise-equipped CT6 sedans, though a GM spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond when asked to confirm.

Super Cruise combines cameras and radar sensors, as well as GPS, to pinpoint your location on an onboard map database of limited-access divided U.S. and Canadian highways. It’s one of just two semi-autonomous driving systems here to claim hands-free driving capability — the other is from BMW, and it only works at speeds up to about 40 mph, versus 85 mph for Super Cruise — though only when driving on “compatible highways” that GM has meticulously mapped with lidar technology. Cadillac says that map database now includes about 200,000 miles of roads, but (at least on the CT6) users must purchase an OnStar telematics subscription to continue using the feature once a complimentary three-year trial period ends.

With the new feature, drivers with Super Cruise can tap or fully press the turn signal, and the system will look for a safe gap and merge into the designated lane. The instrument cluster will display messages that say it is “looking for an opening” or “changing lanes,” or that it doesn’t see an available lane change and the driver must do it manually.

More From Cars.com:

• Cadillac Super Cruise Expansion Means 200,000 Miles of Hands-Free Driving
• How Cadillac’s Super Cruise System Works
• Look, Ma, No Hands! Cadillac’s Hands-Free Super Cruise Tested
• A Cadillac CT6 Drove Us to the Airport … Well, Most of the Way
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade Takes the Curves With Massive New Multimedia Screen

Cadillac isn’t the first brand to offer automated lane changing. Tesla’s Autopilot added the feature several years ago, though it requires hands on the wheel. Cadillac says other upgrades to Super Cruise include “richer” map data that, beyond enabling the lane change, improves performance through curves and interchanges. There also are improvements to steering and speed control, as well as changes to the user interface to make it easier and more intuitive.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.