Tesla’s system name ‘Autopilot’ is inappropriate as it suggests full automation. The promotional material suggests automation where the handbook correctly indicates the limitations of the system capabilities, which could lead to confusion. Status information is clear, but the Model S does not offer a head-up display showing the system status in the driver’s direct line of sight. The Tesla Model S robustly monitors that the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel, and ‘locks-out’ the assistance system if there are repeated warnings. While the Tesla is equipped with an internal camera, it is not used for Driver Monitoring relying only on steering wheel input for driver engagement. The system resists driver steering input and then disengages, limiting co-operative driving.
The Model S combines map-based speed limit information with real time camera inputs to manage fixed, variable and temporary speed limit signs. The system adapts speed for upcoming road features such as curves and junctions. The Model S responds to avoid a collision in all the ACC test scenarios and and does not require AEB intervention, scoring full points in this part of the assessment. The driver is supported through the S-Bend, staying centred in the lane at all test speeds. The vehicle has an Active Blindspot system designed to prevent lane changing into adjacent vehicles. A lane-change assist function is also provided. In case of an unresponsive driver, the Tesla performs a controlled stop in lane. If the radar or camera are blocked the Model S provides a timely warning and prevents system activation.
The Tesla Model S excels in the Safety Backup it provides and in the level of Vehicle Assistance, but fails to balance that high level of support with a similar level of Driver Engagement, leading to possible overreliance. Overall, ‘Autopilot’, as fitted to the Tesla Model S, is rated as Moderate. Euro NCAP tested the latest version of AutoPilot available at the time of testing. Tesla can improve the functionality of the system remotely by over-the-air software updates.
Tesla’s system name ‘Autopilot’ is inappropriate as it suggests full automation. The promotional material suggests automation where the handbook correctly indicates the limitations of the system capabilities, which could lead to confusion. Status information is clear, but the Model S does not offer a head-up display showing the system status in the driver’s direct line of sight. The Tesla Model S robustly monitors that the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel, and ‘locks-out’ the assistance system if there are repeated warnings. While the Tesla is equipped with an internal camera, it is not used for Driver Monitoring relying only on steering wheel input for driver engagement. The system resists driver steering input and then disengages, limiting co-operative driving.
The Model S combines map-based speed limit information with real time camera inputs to manage fixed, variable and temporary speed limit signs. The system adapts speed for upcoming road features such as curves and junctions. The Model S responds to avoid a collision in all the ACC test scenarios and and does not require AEB intervention, scoring full points in this part of the assessment. The driver is supported through the S-Bend, staying centred in the lane at all test speeds. The vehicle has an Active Blindspot system designed to prevent lane changing into adjacent vehicles. A lane-change assist function is also provided. In case of an unresponsive driver, the Tesla performs a controlled stop in lane. If the radar or camera are blocked the Model S provides a timely warning and prevents system activation.
The Tesla Model S excels in the Safety Backup it provides and in the level of Vehicle Assistance, but fails to balance that high level of support with a similar level of Driver Engagement, leading to possible overreliance. Overall, ‘Autopilot’, as fitted to the Tesla Model S, is rated as Moderate. Euro NCAP tested the latest version of AutoPilot available at the time of testing. Tesla can improve the functionality of the system remotely by over-the-air software updates.
Tesla’s system name ‘Autopilot’ is inappropriate as it suggests full automation. The promotional material suggests automation where the handbook correctly indicates the limitations of the system capabilities, which could lead to confusion. Status information is clear, but the Model S does not offer a head-up display showing the system status in the driver’s direct line of sight. The Tesla Model S robustly monitors that the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel, and ‘locks-out’ the assistance system if there are repeated warnings. While the Tesla is equipped with an internal camera, it is not used for Driver Monitoring relying only on steering wheel input for driver engagement. The system resists driver steering input and then disengages, limiting co-operative driving.
The Model S combines map-based speed limit information with real time camera inputs to manage fixed, variable and temporary speed limit signs. The system adapts speed for upcoming road features such as curves and junctions. The Model S responds to avoid a collision in all the ACC test scenarios and and does not require AEB intervention, scoring full points in this part of the assessment. The driver is supported through the S-Bend, staying centred in the lane at all test speeds. The vehicle has an Active Blindspot system designed to prevent lane changing into adjacent vehicles. A lane-change assist function is also provided. In case of an unresponsive driver, the Tesla performs a controlled stop in lane. If the radar or camera are blocked the Model S provides a timely warning and prevents system activation.
The Tesla Model S excels in the Safety Backup it provides and in the level of Vehicle Assistance, but fails to balance that high level of support with a similar level of Driver Engagement, leading to possible overreliance. Overall, ‘Autopilot’, as fitted to the Tesla Model S, is rated as Moderate. Euro NCAP tested the latest version of AutoPilot available at the time of testing. Tesla can improve the functionality of the system remotely by over-the-air software updates.
| Consumer Information | | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System Name | Autopilot | ||||||||
| Marketing Material | Open material  | Viewed 27/05/2025 | ||||||||
| Quick Start Guide |  | ||||||||
| Vehicle Handbook | Viewed 27/05/2025 | ||||||||
System Status | | |||
Continuous System Status Indicator | | |||
System Status Change Indicator | | |||
Driver Monitoring | |
Hands-on Monitoring | |
Direct Driver Monitoring | |
Driving Collaboration | |
Increase in Steering Torque | |
Override response | |
Comment | System stops assistance when driver steers to avoid obstacle |
Speed Assistance | |
Speed Assist Systems | |
Vehicle response to fixed Speed limits |  |
Vehicle response to variable Speed limits | |
Speed limit information function | |
General requirements | Compliant |
Conditional Speed Limits | |
Road Features | |
Local Hazards | |
System Updates | Continuous |
Adaptive Cruise Control Performance | | |
Scenarios | Car | |
Approaching a stationary target | | |
Approaching a slower moving target | | |
Approaching a braking target | | |
Target cutting-in in front | | |
Car cutting-out in front to expose target | | |
Undertake Prevention | ||
Undertake prevention at speeds over 90 km/h | | |
Adaptive Cruise Control Auto-Resume | ||
Assistance maintained after coming to a full stop | | |
System assistance maintained by | Automatic resume with collision prevention by external sensors | |
Steering Assistance | |
Scenarios | |
80 km/h | |
100 km/h | |
120 km/h | |
System Failure | |
Sensor Blocked At Start-Up | Engagement |
Camera | Full blockage after a 5 minute drive |
Radar | Partial blockage after a 5 minute drive |
Sensor Blocked With Vehicle In Motion, System Inactive | Engagement |
Camera | Full blockage after a 5 minute drive |
Radar | After a 5 minute drive |
Sensor Blocked With Vehicle In Motion, System Active | Engagement |
Camera | Full blockage within 2 minutes after blocking |
Radar | Partial blockage after sensor blocking |
Unresponsive Driver Intervention | |
Collision Avoidance | ||
Scenarios | Car | |
Approaching a stationary target | | |
Approaching a slower moving target | | |
Approaching a braking target | | |
Target cutting-in in front | | |
Car cutting-out in front to expose target | | |
Approaching the target along the roadside | | |
