Our Favorite Electric Car Safety Features and Brands That Offer Them
By Russ Heaps 07/07/2022 12:00pm
With electric vehicles representing the future of mobility and cutting-edge technology, we might believe each one offers a full suite of the latest safety and driver-assist features.
Well, some do, and some don’t. Moreover, price doesn’t necessarily indicate what level of advanced safety technology an electric vehicle packs.
You can get into a 2022 Nissan Leaf for $28,895, which includes the factory destination charge. It boasts all of the innovative EV safety features below as standard, except adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and a surround-view camera. Stepping up to the Leaf SV for $29,895 adds the surround-view camera. And, you get adaptive cruise control and lane centering as part of the standard ProPilot semi-autonomous driver-assistance package.
On the other hand, the entry-level 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 ($56,395 with destination fee), at about $26,500 more than the Leaf SV, doesn’t offer a surround-view camera. In fact, you must step up to the $66,895 i4 M50, then spend another $700 for the Parking Assistance Package for the surround-view camera.
We’ve combed through the electric car companies and their vehicles to identify which of the popular safety and driver-assist features each provides. Our baseline is the entry-level grade for each model. If that trim level includes a feature, we list it as “standard.”
“Optional” includes features not standard on the entry-level but available as an option or standard on more expensive grades.
2022 and Newer Electric Cars in the United States
- 2022 Audi e-tron/2022 Audi e-tron Sportback
- 2022 Audi e-tron S/2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback
- 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron/2022 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback
- 2023 BMW iX
- 2022 BMW i4
- 2023 Cadillac Lyriq
- 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV
- 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
- 2022 Ford E-Transit
- 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
- 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
- 2022 GMC Hummer EV
- 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric
- 2022 Hyundai Nexo***
- 2022 Jaguar I-Pace
- 2022 Kia EV6
- 2022 Kia Niro EV
- 2022 Lucid Air
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQB
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQS
- 2022 Mini Electric
- 2023 Nissan Ariya
- 2022 Nissan Leaf
- 2022 Polestar 2
- 2022 Porsche Taycan
- 2023 Subaru Solterra
- 2022 Tesla Model 3
- 2022 Tesla Model S
- 2022 Tesla Model X
- 2022 Tesla Model Y
- 2023 Toyota bZ4X
- 2022 Toyota Mirai***
- 2022 Volkswagen ID.4
- 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge
- 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge
***Fuel Cell
Safety Features Available and Electric Cars That Offer Them
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control uses sensors and sometimes cameras to monitor objects in front of the vehicle. It slows the car as the flow of traffic ahead of it slows, as well as speeds up to pace the vehicle in front. More sophisticated systems will bring the vehicle to a complete stop, and then the system will reactivate when the car ahead begins moving again. This is helpful in stop-and-go traffic.
Standard: Audi e-tron S, Audi e-tron S Sportback, BMW i4, Cadillac Lyriq, Ford Mustang Mach-E, GMC Hummer, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Nexo, Kia EV6, Kia Niro EV, Lucid Air, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Mirai, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Optional: Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, BMW iX, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford E-Transit, Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai Kona Electric, Jaguar I-Pace, Mini Electric, Nissan Leaf, Polestar 2.
Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
These features often get bundled together, although they provide different functions. Blind-spot monitoring utilizes sensors to detect traffic in adjacent lanes. Rear cross-traffic alert warns of objects behind your vehicle or crossing behind while backing up.
Standard: Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi e-tron S, Audi e-tron S Sportback, Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, BMW i4, BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Mustang Mach-E, GMC Hummer, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Nexo, Jaguar I-Pace (rear cross-traffic alert only), Kia EV6, Kia Niro EV, Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQB (blind-spot only), Nissan Ariya, Nissan Leaf, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Mirai, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Optional: Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford E-Transit, Jaguar I-Pace (blind-spot only), Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQS, Polestar 2, Porsche Taycan (blind-spot only).
Forward Collison Warning with Emergency Braking
These features use similar technology as adaptive cruise control. Forward collision warning will detect a possible crash as your vehicle closes the distance with a vehicle or other object ahead. It will make a warning sound. If the driver doesn’t respond, the car can automatically self-brake.
Standard: Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi e-tron S, Audi e-tron S Sportback, Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, BMW i4, BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford E-Transit, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Mustang Mach-E, GMC Hummer, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Nexo, Jaguar I-Pace, Kia EV6, Kia Niro EV, Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQB, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQS, Mini Electric, Nissan Ariya, Nissan Leaf, Polestar 2, Porsche Taycan (warning only), Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Mirai, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Lane-Departure Warning
The camera-based system monitors lane markings. When it senses the vehicle is drifting out of its lane, lane-departure warning sounds alert the driver.
Standard: Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi e-tron S, Audi e-tron S Sportback, Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, BMW i4, BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai Nexo, Kia Niro EV, Lucid Air, Mini Electric, Nissan Ariya, Nissan Leaf, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Mirai, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo C40, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Lane-Keeping Assist
When a driver fails to respond to the lane-departure warning, the car takes the next step. It nudges the vehicle back into its lane.
Standard: Audi e-tron S, Audi e-tron S Sportback, BMW i4, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford E-Transit, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Mustang Mach-E, GMC Hummer, Hyundai Ioniq Electric, Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Nexo, Jaguar I-Pace, Kia EV6, Kia Niro EV, Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQB, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQS, Nissan Leaf, Polestar 2, Porsche Taycan, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Mirai, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Optional: Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, BMW iX, Nissan Ariya, Tesla Model 3.
Lane-Centering Assist
The lane-centering technology brings more of a driver-assist feature. It serves to keep the vehicle in the center of its lane. For example, systems like Nissan’s ProPilot can follow the lane around curves. Think of it as a companion technology to lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist.
Standard: Cadillac Lyriq, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Nexo, Kia Nero, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQB, Toyota Mirai, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo C40 Recharge.
Optional: BMW iX, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford F-150 Lighting, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Lucid Air, Nissan Ariya, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Rear Automatic Emergency Braking
When your car senses objects behind your vehicle, it automatically hits the brakes to avoid them.
Standard: BMW i4, BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Mustang Mach-E, GMC Hummer, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQS, Nissan Ariya, Nissan Leaf, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Optional: Ford E-Transit, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQS, Polestar 2, Toyota Mirai.
360-degree Surround Camera System
Sometimes called bird’s-eye view, this camera system provides a series of lenses placed around the vehicle. The lenses combine to give the driver a 360-degree view. It’s a real help when parking.
Standard: Cadillac Lyriq, Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer, Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQS, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Optional: Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, BMW i4, BMW iX, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford E-Transit, Jaguar I-Pace, Kia EV6, Nissan Leaf, Polestar 2, Porsche Taycan, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Mirai, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Automatic High Beams
The car uses a forward-facing camera to detect lights ahead of the vehicle. They can be oncoming headlights or trailing taillights. For example, when the system senses the distance closing between one car and another, it deactivates the high beams.
Standard: Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, BMW i4, BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, Ford E-Transit, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Mustang Mache-E, GMC Hummer, Hyundai Ioniq Electric, Hyundai Nexo, Jaguar I-Pace, Kia EV6, Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQB, Mercedes-Benz-EQ EQS, Mini Electric, Nissan Ariya, Nissan Leaf, Polestar 2, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Mirai, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Optional: Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona Electric.
If you’re looking to buy a new electric car, use our tool and get a free online price quote from dealerships in your area. There’s no obligation when you get the quote.
Before you head to the dealership, check out the many federal, state, and local incentives that may bring rebates and other savings.