Does Hyundai Elantra Have Adaptive Cruise Control? (Let’s See)
You’ll agree that driving is more than just cruising along the road with your hands on the steering wheel.
It also involves avoiding collisions between your car and other vehicles on the road by maintaining a safe distance always.
You can achieve this easier than ever before if you own a Hyundai Elantra with a smart cruise feature.
Hyundai Elantra cars now use adaptive cruise control technology to provide an extra layer of safety. This feature which was first available in the 2017 model, is optional and can be switched on and off. Below you’ll learn all you need to know about adaptive cruise control technology.
What is Adaptive Cruise Control?
Adaptive cruise control is a technology that automatically modifies the speed of your car to keep it at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of it.
Thus it prevents collisions with other cars and is best suited for driving in busy cities with many vehicles and lots of traffic.
You may already be aware of traditional cruise control, which has been around for a while, unlike adaptive cruise control.
You can drive at a set speed even without hitting the gas with Traditional Cruise control.
But adaptive cruise control takes things up a notch by automatically adjusting the speed of your vehicle in relation to what’s happening in front of you.
There are two main mechanisms by which this system works. First, some cars utilize lasers for scanning the road for obstacles and are known as laser systems. Others make use of radars.
Most vehicles have at least two radars or lasers that scan for short-distance and long-distance obstacles simultaneously for added safety.
These serve as your car’s eyes, along with a camera placed in front of the vehicle to feed the system information.
Furthermore, adaptive cruise control is also synonymous with different other names.
These include Smart Cruise Control, autonomous cruise control, radar cruise control, and intelligent cruise control.
Remember, you can use these interchangeably.
Pros and Cons
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of smart cruise control.
#1. Pros
- It helps you always keep a proper distance from the vehicle in front of you.
- Protects you from all forms of collisions with other vehicles, from bumper to bumper mishaps to fatal accidents
- It promotes fuel economy because driving at a steady speed would improve your gas mileage and save you regular trips to the gas station.
- It helps you save money because your fuel economy is improved.
- It helps you to always stay within speed limits. Once you switch on the cruise control button and set the speed, the system automatically ensures that you don’t exceed the set limit. If you’re the type who frequently accumulates speed tickets, this can also help you save money from ticket fines.
- Lastly, it makes traffic more tolerable. With Hyundai Smart cruise, you need not worry about starting and stopping your car because the system takes care of that.
#2. Cons
You’ll agree with me that adaptive cruise control is a whole lot! However, it has some minor disadvantages, which I have highlighted below:
- It does not work so well in bad weather conditions, like snow, rain, etc. Also, when there is dirt like snow or mud on the sensors, they won’t work as well, or when driving through tunnels.
- Another disadvantage is that the system is different for all makes and models of cars. So with every new vehicle you use that comes with adaptive cruise control, you have to dedicate some time to learn the peculiarities of the vehicle.
- More expensive: cars with driver assistance technology generally cost more than their counterparts. So if you are looking to cut down on cost, you might want to reconsider if you would be using it.
As expected, the benefits of this technology outweigh the disadvantages.
Adaptive cruise control is designed not just to assist the driver but also to promote all passengers’ paramount safety.
Which Elantra Has Adaptive Cruise Control?
The latest Elantra vehicles have Smart Cruise control and other advanced safety features like forwarding Collision Warning.
This feature, coupled with a fuel-efficient engine and simple infotainment system, makes it a bestseller.
It is also one of the most affordable compact cars you can buy yet with long warranty coverage.
The list of Hyundai Elantra vehicles with their base prices is given below:
#1. 2017 Hyundai Elantra
Base price: $17,150.
#2. 2018 Hyundai Elantra
Base price: $ 17835
#3. 2019 Hyundai Elantra
Base price: $ 18,120
#4. 2020 Hyundai Elantra
Base price: $18950
#5. 2021 Hyundai Elantra
Base price: $19650
#6. 2022 Hyundai Elantra.
Base price: $19850
The Elantra has also evolved and gained more standards over the years.
After Hyundai introduced a smart cruise in 2017, other standard features have been added, including Forwarding Collision Warning, Lane Assist, and Driver Drowsiness Monitoring.
The most recent models (2021,2022) have also been redesigned with a new look and additional features.
Hyundai Elantra also comes in various trims and with a hybrid variant.
How To Use Hyundai Adaptive Cruise Control?
To make use of Hyundai’s smart cruise control features while driving, simply follow the steps below:
- Switch on the cruise control by pressing the Cruise Control button on the steering. Usually, the system responds with “CRUISE.” Also, the Cruise Control light should appear on the dashboard
- Accelerate to the speed you want
- Set the cruise speed by Pushing the “Set” button or lever on the steering. Once you’ve done this, you can release your foot from the accelerator as your car will now maintain its speed on its own.
- Now set the “following distance” by pressing the button to the left of the Set switch. It helps alternate the distance between you and the cars ahead of you.
- Turn off the cruise control button on the steering wheel to exit cruise control.
Hyundai’s smart cruise uses radar technology to monitor the vehicle in front of you. The system can sense when vehicles ahead slow down or halt by letting off radar waves.
It then responds by adjusting your car’s speed to maintain safe distances.
Also, it is pertinent to note that although the car can automatically adjust its speed, adaptive cruise control does not have full control of the vehicle.
Instead, it only assists in responding to rapidly approaching a vehicle, including slowing down the car and alerting the driver to use the brakes.
Smart Cruise Control Overview | Hyundai
Conclusion
Although adaptive cruise control was the initial characteristic of only the most luxurious cars, it is now a common feature of most next-generation cars.
However, as with any driver-assistance technology, ensure you are aware of the situational limitations of your Adaptive cruise control system.
The system won’t drive your car for you, so your alertness and driving wits must be in top gear.
Also, you must understand your car’s system fully as this technology varies between different makes of cars.
Hyundai Smart cruise makes driving more comfortable, efficient, and safer, especially when navigating busy routes or heavy traffic.
And if you love driving cars with the most sophisticated technology, you’re sure to love this one.
