Ford’s BlueCruise goes beyond adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technologies to provide genuine hands-free driving on our nation’s major highways. The system is available on several Ford and Lincoln models and can be used on 130,000 divided highways across North America. Ford has now improved the system with BlueCruise 1.4, which provides a more natural driving experience and lets you be hands-free longer. In addition, the system will now cost less for monthly or yearly subscribers or can be purchased as a one-time purchase. Benna Ford gives you the details.
BlueCruise 1.4 provides Ford’s best hands-free driving experience with a more natural and intuitive drive than before. The three primary functional improvements include:
- Enhancements that automatically and smoothly adjust the vehicle’s speed in curves, helping the driver stay engaged in hands-free mode longer and experience a more continuous drive.
- Greater in-lane stability is unlocked by an all-new motion controller, which controls the vehicle’s steering, helping reduce the ‘side-to-side’ movement within the lane.
- When driving in diverse conditions due to inclement weather, such as rain or direct sun, hands-free engagement can remain in place longer than in prior versions.
Ford points out that in previous versions of the system, approaching a sharp curve would alert the driver that the system would disengage and the driver should regain control. By contrast, BlueCruise 1.4 will slow the vehicle’s speed prior to and through the curve while remaining in hands-free mode. BlueCruise 1.4 also builds on previous versions of BlueCruise, such as Lane Change Assist, which allows you to change lanes hands-free at the tap of a turn signal. Another recent improvement is In-Lane Repositioning, which helps adjust the vehicle positioning within the lane to provide more space for vehicles in adjacent lanes, just as you probably subconsciously do yourself. Other 1.4 improvements include staying engaged during inclement weather or when the sun is reflected on the vehicle’s sensors.
The system also continually improves itself. As of September 2024, 492,000 BlueCruise-equipped vehicles were on the road globally, accounting for more than 244 million hands-free highway miles driven. The more customers use BlueCruise, the more the system learns, enabling improved over-the-air updates.
In addition to making BlueCruise better, Ford is also making it more affordable. All models with Blue Cruise compatibility provide the system for a 90-day trial. After the trial, you have the option of:
- One-Time Purchase: $2,495.00
- 1-year Option $495.00
- Monthly $49.99
All of these prices represent a significant cost reduction. The one-time purchase has not been previously offered. A former 1-year option was limited in availability and cost $800. The previous monthly cost was $75.
The monthly subscription is particularly useful for those who occasionally drive long distances. Such a customer could activate the service for one month for a road trip and not activate it again for another year. They could also choose to activate it only during the holiday travel season.
BlueCruise is currently available on five Ford vehicle lines:
- F-150 Lightning
- Expedition
- Mustang Mach-E
The 1.4 system will be available on the 2025 Ford F-150, and more vehicles will follow. If you like the idea of being more energized after a long trip, ask one of the Benna Ford sales professionals to show you how BlueCruise can work for you and which models offer it.
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