Supercruise owners, thoughts?

[todayusay]

I wanted SC on a 23 Suburban I picked up a couple months ago (waited 10 months for build); it wasn't available but I took the car anyway.

WIthout SC, lane keep assist on this suburban is absolute weak-sauce. It will bump me back once if I slowly drift towards the line (after my tire is on the line) and then ping pong me into the other lane line and the next bump usually sends me out of the lane. It is garbage compared to the LKA+lane centering in a 2022 Honda Odyssey we had before - which didn't require a subscription. The Odyssey could effectively drive itself on highways without major curves - it could handle small curves fine and kept me centered in the lane. It actually helped steer the vehicle (and read speed limit signs) with onboard technology; no relying on external data connections or paid subscriptions.

TLDR - don't expect any real steering assistance without SuperCruise. GM's free offering for steering assistance (no subscription) is garbage compared to Asian brands; I believe the paid experience outdoes them. Comes down to whether it's available and worth the monthly cost to you.

I'm not paying for another subscription though wish I had it installed in case I wanted to spring for it on a long road trip.

the running joke in our family is that our mid-$20k accord has a better user interface than our $70k Tahoe...everything simply works faster/easier to use...it also has adaptive cruise with LKAS and speed limit sign recognition that doesn't need a subscription. seems like GM is consistently 5yrs or more behind the industry leaders

GM does offer a large SUV with a lot of room so there's that

 

[Stbentoak]

I turned my LKA off the 2nd day I owned it. Don’t need a nanny telling me how to steer. Wouldn’t use if it did work good…

At least when you turn it off it stays off…..

 

[Seamus]

I wanted SC on a 23 Suburban I picked up a couple months ago (waited 10 months for build); it wasn't available but I took the car anyway.

WIthout SC, lane keep assist on this suburban is absolute weak-sauce. It will bump me back once if I slowly drift towards the line (after my tire is on the line) and then ping pong me into the other lane line and the next bump usually sends me out of the lane. It is garbage compared to the LKA+lane centering in a 2022 Honda Odyssey we had before - which didn't require a subscription. The Odyssey could effectively drive itself on highways without major curves - it could handle small curves fine and kept me centered in the lane. It actually helped steer the vehicle (and read speed limit signs) with onboard technology; no relying on external data connections or paid subscriptions.

TLDR - don't expect any real steering assistance without SuperCruise. GM's free offering for steering assistance (no subscription) is garbage compared to Asian brands; I believe the paid experience outdoes them. Comes down to whether it's available and worth the monthly cost to you.

I'm not paying for another subscription though wish I had it installed in case I wanted to spring for it on a long road trip.

Spot on. The LKA is terrible in the new generation. I was shocked, because after owning the 2017 Yukon Denali it was a feature I had to have along with Adaptive cruise. It was alot better in the 2017 and is terrible in the 2021. Ping pong and then a miss and it goes off road. I didnt use it much, but did use it when towing and need to input an address in Waze, trying not to go into a ditch! Our German cars do this much better and they are older. Leave it to GM to have a good feature and make it worse in the newer model. I guess this was to get people to want Supercruise...and pay monthly.

 

[DuraYuk]

Spot on. The LKA is terrible in the new generation. I was shocked, because after owning the 2017 Yukon Denali it was a feature I had to have along with Adaptive cruise. It was alot better in the 2017 and is terrible in the 2021. Ping pong and then a miss and it goes off road. I didnt use it much, but did use it when towing and need to input an address in Waze, trying not to go into a ditch! Our German cars do this much better and they are older. Leave it to GM to have a good feature and make it worse in the newer model. I guess this was to get people to want Supercruise...and pay monthly.

You need to understand the different terminology to understand the systems limitations. Most people don't. This article does a good job showing what they are called and what they do. https://www.consumerreports.org/dri...g-assist-system-is-right-for-you-a4813532588/

 

[navyseal334]

You need to understand the different terminology to understand the systems limitations. Most people don't. This article does a good job showing what they are called and what they do. https://www.consumerreports.org/dri...g-assist-system-is-right-for-you-a4813532588/

I understand the terminology and limitations; the "differences" in "terminology" are tactics used by GM to justify putting out a garbage product and milk customers for more money on a high premium car.

Lane-keep assist is better implemented in most foreign brands for free while GM has apparently neutered their free implementation to motivate people to pay up for a monthly subscription for an enhanced version.

Foreign brands and 2017 GM had a "strong" implementation. Foreign brands still have a strong implementation, and GM has now replaced strong and introduced a crap tier (circa 2015 technology levels) and a very strong option (SC). Foreign strong and GM crap are both free while GM very strong requires a monthly subscription.

GM dropping the strong implementation from 2017 and introducing the gulf between their free crap version and paid very strong option is a strategic business decision to drive SC subscriptions, which unfortunately shafts buyers of an $80k vehicle who want a good option without a subscription (equivalent to that found in a $25k Honda) but are stuck with garbage instead. It is an especial kick in the nuts to those who would have ponied up for SC but could not get the option due to constraints and are now stuck with a vehicle whose driver assistance technology is equivalent to cars produced about 8 years ago.

 

[DuraYuk]

I understand the terminology and limitations; the "differences" in "terminology" are tactics used by GM to justify putting out a garbage product and milk customers for more money on a high premium car.

Lane-keep assist is better implemented in most foreign brands for free while GM has apparently neutered their free implementation to motivate people to pay up for a monthly subscription for an enhanced version.

Foreign brands and 2017 GM had a "strong" implementation. Foreign brands still have a strong implementation, and GM has now replaced strong and introduced a crap tier (circa 2015 technology levels) and a very strong option (SC). Foreign strong and GM crap are both free while GM very strong requires a monthly subscription.

GM dropping the strong implementation from 2017 and introducing the gulf between their free crap version and paid very strong option is a strategic business decision to drive SC subscriptions, which unfortunately shafts buyers of an $80k vehicle who want a good option without a subscription (equivalent to that found in a $25k Honda) but are stuck with garbage instead. It is an especial kick in the nuts to those who would have ponied up for SC but could not get the option due to constraints and are now stuck with a vehicle whose driver assistance technology is equivalent to cars produced about 8 years ago.

I wouldn't say free as the good stuff is only available on higher trims of foreign cars.

 

[mrrairai]

I wanted SC on a 23 Suburban I picked up a couple months ago (waited 10 months for build); it wasn't available but I took the car anyway.

WIthout SC, lane keep assist on this suburban is absolute weak-sauce. It will bump me back once if I slowly drift towards the line (after my tire is on the line) and then ping pong me into the other lane line and the next bump usually sends me out of the lane. It is garbage compared to the LKA+lane centering in a 2022 Honda Odyssey we had before - which didn't require a subscription. The Odyssey could effectively drive itself on highways without major curves - it could handle small curves fine and kept me centered in the lane. It actually helped steer the vehicle (and read speed limit signs) with onboard technology; no relying on external data connections or paid subscriptions.

TLDR - don't expect any real steering assistance without SuperCruise. GM's free offering for steering assistance (no subscription) is garbage compared to Asian brands; I believe the paid experience outdoes them. Comes down to whether it's available and worth the monthly cost to you.

I'm not paying for another subscription though wish I had it installed in case I wanted to spring for it on a long road trip.

I have a 2021 Honda Accord Touring and they could honestly make their vehicles self-driving by adding a few more features To their LKA. That thing is a champ.

 

[todayusay]

I have a 2021 Honda Accord Touring and they could honestly make their vehicles self-driving by adding a few more features To their LKA. That thing is a champ.

and it's also standard on their lowest trim level - $26k...not just the higher trims

 

[Danimalx87]

You're paying a monthly fee to use the data network, and to get updates to your maps. Since Super Cruise launched, they've already doubled the amount of roads supported to 400k miles. Two routes I take frequently were added and it was appreciated.

It's frustrating to pay over six figures for a new truck, and then have to stomach monthly subscriptions, but that's the new reality of vehicles that are as connected as your cell phone, and basically a computer with tires.

I can attest to the fact that the maps and vehicle behavior has changed with super cruise, even in the short time I've had it. There's a section of interstate by me that has a serious S curve, and when roads are clear, traffic is about 80 mph. That's a little fast for the truck to manage and previously SC would disengage forcing me to take over and steer. Now, the truck will slow itself down as the curve approaches, to about 71, and resumes my set speed after completing the chicane.

Hands down (pun intended) the best use of Super Cruise is when you get stuck in bumper to bumper 5-10 mph crawling on the interstate due to construction or other incidents. It does all the work and you just sit and relax.

 

[pruittatl]

I have a 2018 Honda Accord Sport and was surprised when ordering this 2023 Yukon Denali that things like LKA and Adaptive cruise control was such a “big” deal. This stuff seems pretty standard and it’s been out forever on these Hondas. I honestly don’t even like using these features that much. It is hit or miss. But we need the extra room for a large SUV so we’re excited when it comes in.

 

[GoNoGo]

We live in a very rural area, but my Honda Ridgeline's lane assist works a little better than either my Chevy's, so my fingers are crossed for the new Supercruise equipped Silverado to keep me between the lines when I drive on our only local 4 lane state road.

 

[navyseal334]

As I understand it, Super Cruise is top notch; the weaknesses is it requires a subscription, and more importantly the equipment has to be off constraint for you even to have a shot at it. However, I'm not knocking SC in the slightest.

What I'm harping on is the technological capabilities for non-SC vehicles. The faceplant is that the driver assistance technology for GM drivers who don't have Super Cruise (either because they don't spring for it or because it's on constraint) is as capable as it was back in 2015 and is handily beat by the quality of technology in the lowest trim of the Honda Civic. When you can buy the equivalent of 3 or 4 Honda Civics with the cost of an eligible-trim Suburban (premiere or HC), it is a major kick to the nuts for GM drivers and leaves a sour taste in the mouth on an otherwise great vehicle.

The vehicle (at least my premiere trim) has the same instruments in it as the Honda does (cameras that detect lane lines - arguably my Suburban has a lot more cameras than the Civic) so the fact that the Civic can center in the lane and track curves in the road and the Suburban cannot comes down to the programming prowess (or lack thereof).

Maybe all GM's programmers are working on SC.

 

[zbad55]

What rhyme or reason causes the power boards to turn the light strip on? Seems like sometimes I open the door and they turn on and sometimes they don't...what gives?

Maybe all GM's programmers are working on SC.

All of GM programmers are working on the next Generation "Ultra Cruise", here is my take on it and I have SC in my Denali. A lot of people compare the lane assist to other OEM's but I look at it this way. GM has decided to go with newer technology (Super Cruise) where the others haven't and really can't compete in this area. And now they are working on "Ultra Cruise" which will replace SC in the near future. I think in the future we will see this in almost all of GM vehicles whether we want it or like it. Between Tesla and GM they are years ahead of the other OEM's in this area, and it all is designed to end up in autonomous driving.

 

[GoNoGo]

..and it all is designed to end up in autonomous driving.

I live in the country and generally enjoy the experience of the drive. Autonomous driving may be the future but thankfully I'm old and may never see the day it's mandatory.



.

 

[mrrairai]

All of GM programmers are working on the next Generation "Ultra Cruise", here is my take on it and I have SC in my Denali. A lot of people compare the lane assist to other OEM's but I look at it this way. GM has decided to go with newer technology (Super Cruise) where the others haven't and really can't compete in this area. And now they are working on "Ultra Cruise" which will replace SC in the near future. I think in the future we will see this in almost all of GM vehicles whether we want it or like it. Between Tesla and GM they are years ahead of the other OEM's in this area, and it all is designed to end up in autonomous driving.

Yeah but I can drive my 2021 Honda Accord down the interstate for miles and every 15 seconds all I need to do is touch the wheel so the vehicle knows I’m still there. Granted SC doesn’t require that but this is in a $35K vehicle while we have to pay a lot more for a vehicle with SC. I’m not knocking GM but their LKA is weak. When I hop into our XT6, I turn it off because it honestly sucks. It’s more of a hindrance than anything.

 

[zbad55]

Yeah but I can drive my 2021 Honda Accord down the interstate for miles and every 15 seconds all I need to do is touch the wheel so the vehicle knows I’m still there. Granted SC doesn’t require that but this is in a $35K vehicle while we have to pay a lot more for a vehicle with SC. I’m not knocking GM but their LKA is weak. When I hop into our XT6, I turn it off because it honestly sucks. It’s more of a hindrance than anything.

I am not disagreeing with you, my point is that GM doesn't really care about LKA. I never used it in my wife's 2015 Yukon or my 2016 Tahoe. My point is to what the future is for GM with SC and UC, and if you prefer they have adaptive cruise which is way better than just having LKA. I'm not knocking that your Accord is great with LKA but that is not the direction that GM is going in and you will not see GM try to make LKA better than Honda or any other OEM that has great LKA.

 

[Danimalx87]

I live in the country and generally enjoy the experience of the drive. Autonomous driving may be the future but thankfully I'm old and may never see the day it's mandatory.



.

I can't imagine it ever being mandatory, at least not in our lifetimes. Maybe the feature will be forced into vehicles someday, like seatbelts or the stupid auto start/stop tech, but you'll be dead and gone before they every remove the steering wheel.

I spent about 20k more than I had wanted to for a vehicle that was available now, and had Super Cruise, because it was taking forever to get our order delivered. Now that I have it, I wouldn't give it up without a very compelling reason. In fact, I've already spoken with the local Cadillac dealer about trading in for an ESV when they get Ultra Cruise. I think there's a caddy sedan that's slated for initial release, but I'd expect the ESV will follow soon after.

Bottom line, we live in a late-stage capitalistic society where companies are going to take every single penny that they can, and there isn't a strong enough middle class to effect the markets.

 

[Seamus]

I can't imagine it ever being mandatory, at least not in our lifetimes. Maybe the feature will be forced into vehicles someday, like seatbelts or the stupid auto start/stop tech, but you'll be dead and gone before they every remove the steering wheel.

I spent about 20k more than I had wanted to for a vehicle that was available now, and had Super Cruise, because it was taking forever to get our order delivered. Now that I have it, I wouldn't give it up without a very compelling reason. In fact, I've already spoken with the local Cadillac dealer about trading in for an ESV when they get Ultra Cruise. I think there's a caddy sedan that's slated for initial release, but I'd expect the ESV will follow soon after.

Bottom line, we live in a late-stage capitalistic society where companies are going to take every single penny that they can, and there isn't a strong enough middle class to effect the markets.

Totally agree. But usually when there is choice and when something is better it progresses. Nobody prefers steam powered cars or horses anymore, because they made a better mousetrap and it was a choice. People chose. But corporations today manipulate and restrict you into their choice. As stated above how did the LKA work so well in 2015, 2017....and its much worse today in brand new Gm trucks?? Same feature, same company.? To frustrate and manipulate us towards the new thing. Now i believe customers would have wanted the best new thing and it would be alot of peoples choice ....but they moved the needle. Just like Apple did slowing down Iphones to manipulate people into the new one. So they make this the most viable good option, but the catch is forever payments to use it. They will push as far as they can. If people lay down and become sheep....they will be sheep.
This is why they have been weakening the middle class for many years. They are in the way. Once crushed they will steam roll anything they want. You are correct capitalism is dying.

 

[greg_tahoe84]

I can't imagine it ever being mandatory, at least not in our lifetimes. Maybe the feature will be forced into vehicles someday, like seatbelts or the stupid auto start/stop tech, but you'll be dead and gone before they every remove the steering wheel.

I spent about 20k more than I had wanted to for a vehicle that was available now, and had Super Cruise, because it was taking forever to get our order delivered. Now that I have it, I wouldn't give it up without a very compelling reason. In fact, I've already spoken with the local Cadillac dealer about trading in for an ESV when they get Ultra Cruise. I think there's a caddy sedan that's slated for initial release, but I'd expect the ESV will follow soon after.

Bottom line, we live in a late-stage capitalistic society where companies are going to take every single penny that they can, and there isn't a strong enough middle class to effect the markets.

20k above msrp? Or just a vehicle 20k more?

 

[Thrust]

I think that's why I miss my 2000 Mustang GT. Only nanny feature on it was the traction control that you had to turn off every time you started it. Pure fun because you drove the car and if you got your self in trouble I had to figure it out and not hope the car would save me. Supercruise is a cool feature, but I would rather drive the car than just be a rider.