Why does GM intentionally leave out Super Cruise in the Equinox?

[Kenway]

Did they intentionally leave it exclusively for the Equinox EV and the Traverse to incentivize people into paying more? (excluding tahoe and suburban). My 2025 Equinox seems to be more than capable hardware wise to handle super cruise.

Interested to hear other's thoughts on this! Hoping that they can implement it for the 2026 model year

 

[ricklack]

I often thought similarly and figured it was more complicated software programming needed, which should not be a huge cost once it is developed. How they decide what models get it is beyond me. I want the joy of being able to clap to We Will Rock You without the annoying warnings to grab the steering wheel

 

[CocoaJeff]

What is "Super Cruise"?

 

[Ledman66]

What is "Super Cruise"?

Super Cruise is a driver assistance technology that allows for hands-free driving on compatible roads. It uses a variety of technologies, including cameras, sensors, GPS, and LiDAR-scanned maps to help the vehicle steer and stay in its lane. Super Cruise also works with Adaptive Cruise Control to help maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead.

 

[penright]

So, is Super Cruise "hands off", somewhat like Telsa? I have a 2016 Civic Touring, that has lane keep assist. It is not totally "hands off", but if you take your hands off it will keep the middle of the lane, and after a few seconds it will flash that you need to put them back on. It will wheel shake if you wander out of the lane without blinker on. Not sure what to call them, but I see 3 levels.
1. is total hands off
2. is if hands off will steer, but compline quickly
3. only warns if you are wandering out of your lane, but will allow the car to continue out of the lane.

I have an AWD with RS trim. It looks like if you have to turn on speed cruise, looks like level 3 is enabled. I thought it did at least level 2.

 

[ricklack]

Super Cruise is hands free, very much like Tesla, but it needs compatible roadways. I am unsure if Tesla has the same requirements. I imagine that's what the road crews have been doing on the interstates over the last decade or so, when they have been digging up the road at regular intervals, I guess to install some sort of sensors or devices the hands free cars can read. I have no idea how many compatible roads there are, there is a map at the link below. I know traveling from Canada to PA on I-81 they were installing these devices I refer to over the last decade or so, they have been finished with that for a few years.

https://www.chevrolet.com/super-cruise

Super Cruise also uses Adaptive Cruise so it not only steers, but also can slow and speed up with the traffic flow. It can change lanes either automatically, or at your commend - but it will not change unless it is safe. It is not the same as Lane Keep Assist, LKA only warns you you are leaving the lane and gives some gentle steering assist to keep you in your lane - LKA has those reminders to grab the wheel. Super Cruise does not do this, it steers for you.

I'm not sure what you are referring to by level 2 and level 3 - If you are talking about the Gap adjustment (1,2,or 3 - how far a distance between you and the car in front of you), on my 2022 the follow distance stays on my last setting used, until I change it. I would imagine the 25 would be similar - your manual should tell you. My setting keeps at the same as last used, even after turning off the car overnight.

 

[penright]

I'm not sure what you are referring to by level 2 and level 3

I think I confused myself. It is like trying to explain the difference when someone refers to 4x4 vs AWD.
The levels were not referring to adaptive cruise and changing the following distances. I can see where adaptive cruise will work without "hands-free", but "hands-free" has to have adaptive cruise.

I did not know there was a difference between "Hands off" and "Hands off with compatible roadway". So the GM commercials, mainly trucks where I have seen them driving "hands-free", so that only works on certain roads that have been modified, interesting.


-------
No, I was trying to use levels as levels of sophistication. Where 1 would now be 1a (hands-free) and 1b (hands-free on compatible roads). At level 1, not only can it drive and keep it between the lines, but it also expects you to remove your hands.

Where level 2 will drive, but if it does not feel any driver input, then it starts flashing a message, but it will keep it between the lines.

Level 3 on the other hand knows if you are getting outside the lines, but will not steer the car for you.

 

[SteveK]

Do I have super cruise? I can let go wheel and it will steer between the lines, cruise will keep distance and stop behind car in front. It does ping after a while and message says take the wheel. I can be holding the wheel and drift and it will steer back while buzzing my seat.

 

[penright]

I can let go wheel and it will steer between the lines, cruise will keep distance and stop behind car in front. It does ping after a while and message says take the wheel.

That is what I was calling level 2, which is like our Honda. There must be a setting somewhere or something not turned on, since our Equinox does not. It will vibrate the seat, but not steer back.

 

[SteveK]

I do have the premier model with all the bells and whistles, so maybe an option at purchase.

 

[ricklack]

I do have the premier model with all the bells and whistles, so maybe an option at purchase.

Super cruise is a new technology, the only Equinox with the option is the 2024 and 2025 Equinox EV. Why not in the ICE models is a question for GM.

You have LKA and Adaptive cruise like the rest of us non Super Cruise guys LOL

Also, you could tell you have it by the bill that you need to keep paying for the service!

 

[penright]

Also, you could tell you have it by the bill that you need to keep paying for the service!

What LKA is a monthly service?





While searching for better terminology, I found this LKA (Lane Keep Assist) vs LFA (Lane Following Assist)
If I am reading it right, what I called Level 1 would be LKA and Level 2 would be LFA. I was expecting LFA.

 

[ricklack]

What LKA is a monthly service?





While searching for better terminology, I found this LKA (Lane Keep Assist) vs LFA (Lane Following Assist)
If I am reading it right, what I called Level 1 would be LKA and Level 2 would be LFA. I was expecting LFA.



View attachment 2688

No, LKA is integral to the car and no extra charge. Super Cruise is a monthly fee, or perhaps they have yearly options, not sure. Sorry if I was not clear.

I slightly disagree with dnrexy - LKA does warn you, but it also provides some assistance in staying in the lane, as I'm sure we've all noticed. LFA sounds like possibly a more aggressive offshoot of LKA. Also, LKA does not wait until you cross a line before warning and gently nudging you away from it, it does this before you cross the line. In fact, his description of LFA is exactly what our LKA does. Perhaps this is just semantics due to terminology of the Korean brands? I'm guessing what he is calling "smart cruise" is what GM calls Adaptive Cruise.

I would guess LFA is Lane Follow, which is exactly the same as Lane Keep, at least in my mind. Here's what my OM says about it:
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
If equipped, LKA may help avoid crashes due
to unintentional lane departures. This
system uses a camera to detect lane
markings. The LKA may be ready to assist
at speeds between 80 km/h (50 mph) and
180 km/h (112 mph). LKA may assist by
gently turning the steering wheel if the
vehicle approaches a detected lane marking.
It may also provide a Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) alert if the vehicle crosses a
detected lane marking. This system is not
intended to keep the vehicle centered in the
lane. LKA will not assist and alert if the turn
signal is active in the direction of lane
departure, or if it detects that you are
accelerating, braking or actively steering.
LKA can be overridden by turning the
steering wheel. If the system detects you
are steering intentionally across a lane
marker, the LDW will not be given. Do not
expect the LDW to occur when you are
intentionally crossing a lane marker.

 

[penright]

@ricklack Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts. Your explanation matches my understanding. I did not know how to articulate my question. When I turn LKA on in the Honda, it does say LKS. You did mention the LKA does not turn on till a certain speed. I thought for Honda it was around 30-35mph, so I searched and it is 45mph. I knew about the blinker same as Honda. Maybe I was out side of the paramerters. Next time I test I will check on that. As mentioned, it is my wife's daily driver so I don't get to experiment much.
I see yours is a 2022, I wonder if how to enable is the same on the 2025. As you might exepct there is not a lot on 2025. As soon as you add 2025 to any search, it gives lot's of ad's and reviews. So I guess it is a button on the streeing wheel?
I found this on the website www.cequinox.com , it copyright is 2017-2024 so I am not sure how much is the same as 2025.

I don't remember seeing that, just the cruise button. Again, will have to look next time I am in the car.




The other thing I found interesting on the Honda, is that wipers will shut it off.
(Just to be clear this is for the Honda, not the Equinox.)

 

[sdhow]

Here's the non-techie explanation...

Biggest issue is cost. At $2,500...plus the monthly fee, few if any Equinox EV buyers would pony up the $$$ for Super Cruise. As a matter of fact, on the Cadillac Lyriq, only the level 3 models, at $70k+, offer it.

 

[penright]

At $2,500...plus the monthly fee

Fortunately, it was bad terminology on my part. I am not interested in the "Super Cruise", just LKA.

It still kills me that automakers want to charge you a monthly fee for something that is just changing a bit from zero to one. I can maybe handle a one-time charge, just something about monthly seems wrong.

 

[sdhow]

Fortunately, it was bad terminology on my part. I am not interested in the "Super Cruise", just LKA.

It still kills me that automakers want to charge you a monthly fee for something that is just changing a bit from zero to one. I can maybe handle a one-time charge, just something about monthly seems wrong.

It's Mary Barra taking a page from Tim Cook (Apple), because Millennials will pay for subscriptions and $7 coffees.

 

[ricklack]

@ricklack Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts. Your explanation matches my understanding. I did not know how to articulate my question. When I turn LKA on in the Honda, it does say LKS. You did mention the LKA does not turn on till a certain speed. I thought for Honda it was around 30-35mph, so I searched and it is 45mph. I knew about the blinker same as Honda. Maybe I was out side of the paramerters. Next time I test I will check on that. As mentioned, it is my wife's daily driver so I don't get to experiment much.
I see yours is a 2022, I wonder if how to enable is the same on the 2025. As you might exepct there is not a lot on 2025. As soon as you add 2025 to any search, it gives lot's of ad's and reviews. So I guess it is a button on the streeing wheel?
I found this on the website www.cequinox.com , it copyright is 2017-2024 so I am not sure how much is the same as 2025.
View attachment 2691
I don't remember seeing that, just the cruise button. Again, will have to look next time I am in the car.




The other thing I found interesting on the Honda, is that wipers will shut it off.
(Just to be clear this is for the Honda, not the Equinox.)
View attachment 2690

A few thoughts - On the 2022 (I would suspect up to 2024) the LKA on/off button is on the left side of the steering wheel. I would hope your 2025 manual would show you where it is on yours.

Looking at your info on the Honda - it only shuts LKA off if wipers are in "Continuous operation". From this, I would think if you are using the wipers on intermittent, it should still work. I could be wrong, the word "continuous" seemed to jump out to me.

This is from the 2025 OM, so it must be somewhere on the steering wheel - I cannot find a good picture of the steering wheel buttons. My 22 manual is similar in that there is no clear picture of steering wheel controls :



I am jealous of the Surround Vision Recorder, this is not available in the Gen 3 (2018-2024). It is something I longed for, as I have HD Surround Vision, but not the recorder. - theoretically it could mostly replace the need for a dashcam. I see there are some limitations, but this is nice to see. the 25 has crash detection where it turns on recording when it sense a crash, to simplify. This is nice to see, and many have lamented it was not included in earlier models, me included.

I better stop looking at the 20225 manual, there are a lot of new fetures i see that are useful, and a few not so useful but cool to have LOL

 

[ricklack]

Fortunately, it was bad terminology on my part. I am not interested in the "Super Cruise", just LKA.

It still kills me that automakers want to charge you a monthly fee for something that is just changing a bit from zero to one. I can maybe handle a one-time charge, just something about monthly seems wrong.

In defense of GM on Super Cruise, they are mapping all the roads in US & Canada so their system will work. This is ongoing, especially in Canada where in my small town for example, only one of the roads to the north, and one of the roads to the south, are Super Cruise mapped. They have a long way to go, and I am sure it's not cheap to do this.

That said, at some point they will be done, except for new/changed roads, and i am sure they will still be charging monthly - just like Onstar. I am pretty sure i read that on some high end vehicles it my be included in the cost. Pay me now, or pay me later, they will get theirs in the end.

 

[sdhow]

In defense of GM on Super Cruise, they are mapping all the roads in US & Canada so their system will work. This is ongoing, especially in Canada where in my small town for example, only one of the roads to the north, and one of the roads to the south, are Super Cruise mapped. They have a long way to go, and I am sure it's not cheap to do this.

That said, at some point they will be done, except for new/changed roads, and i am sure they will still be charging monthly - just like Onstar. I am pretty sure i read that on some high end vehicles it my be included in the cost. Pay me now, or pay me later, they will get theirs in the end.

It's included for 3 years on certain models, like the Hummer. When you spend $125,000.