Most think mass production of self-driving cars, like those idealized in pop culture films such as Demolition Man in 1993, are a few light years away, but the auto industry is marking milestones in that direction today.
The 2018 Nissan Rogue SL AWD with ProPilot Assist technology has taken cruise control to another level, creating a truly relaxing experience and a flood of confidence in the future of autonomous driving. This exclusive technology is a hands-on driver-assist system that helps drivers stay centered in their lane, maintain a set vehicle speed and distance to the vehicle ahead, and navigate stop-and-go traffic all the way down to molasses-mode slow.
But my expectations were not the most optimistic when first behind the wheel.
I drove this five-passenger, Caspian Blue refreshed crossover on a couple of occasions. The first time was for roughly 45 minutes. This Rogue comes standard with a 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. I enjoyed the front bucket seat while exploring the NissanConnect system and in the back I quickly attempted the reportedly 18 different configurations available in the divide-n-hide cargo system with a motion-activated liftgate. I had plenty of cool distractions to avoid testing this new technology.
Honestly, I thought I needed to be on a test track to test the ProPilot Assist. Why would I try something like this when other vehicles are around me? Nope. Not going to happen. My muscle memory needed to stay in control with foot on gas to go and on the brake to stop.
Second time, I had a few days to experiment so I read the instructions in the information flier and listened carefully to direction from the professionals who delivered the vehicle to me, then walked away with a smile and all the confidence in the world that I had learned my lesson.
Here’s my take from the reading material and my very own experience:
Once the driver of a ProPilot Assist-equipped vehicle enables the system with the steering-wheel-mounted button they will then set the desired speed and distance they want to follow the car in front of them.
My take: I set the speed limit at a legal limit. I chose to designate a lot of space between my ride and the one in front of me. When traffic slowed, it slowed. When the speed picked up, it picked up. To my surprise it also picked back up after a coming to a complete stop. My feet where nowhere near the pedals.
While engaged and when lane markers are detected, the ProPilot Assist steering wheel and lane line icons on the dash turn from grey to green and Steering Assist will provide small steering inputs to help the driver center the vehicle in the lane.
My take: It works! I could feel it thinking in a way as it made its way around curve and back to the straightaways and within the lanes.
The driver can disengage the system at any time and if the system does not detect a hand on the wheel, it will provide a series of visual and audible alerts. If the driver still does not place their hands on the wheel the system will pulse the brakes to get their attention. Finally, if both of these warnings are ignored the vehicle will gently apply the brakes, slow down within its lane, turn on the hazard lights and come to a complete stop.
My take: Good to know.
If you happen to purchase a Rogue with ProPilot Assist, does this mean you must engage the technology? Not at all, you can activate and deactivate the system via a switch on the steering wheel. Long review short, autonomous vehicles may not be so many light years away after all.
Just look at the possibilities. The magical car star of the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang operated on the road, in the air and on water. Wait a minute, that’s kind of like back to the future, right! Am I dating myself or what? Wow!
2018 Nissan Rogue SL AWD with ProPilot Assist MSRP: $33,575: Combined City/Highway: 27.
