Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac Super Cruise top automated system

Tesla\'s Autopilot system was deemed the most capable, but the rankings gave more weight to driver engagement than automated performance.

Consumer Reports has ranked Cadillac's Super Cruise as the best automated driving system.

Super Cruise was deemed average in terms of capability and performance. It topped all other systems in keeping drivers engaged, handling unresponsive drivers and clearly showing when it is safe to use.

Tesla's Autopilot was the clear winner in the capability and performance category. CR gave more weight to driver engagement criteria, however, putting the system behind Cadillac on the overall ranking.

Super Cruise uses cameras to monitor the driver's eyes and the system can only be engaged on highways that have already been extensively mapped by General Motors. If a driver looks away from the road for too long, the car will automatically begin to slow down.

The magazine apparently believes Tesla and other automakers are not putting enough effort into keeping drivers engaged while the automated system is active.

"Without proper safeguards, overreliance on the system is too easy, which puts drivers at risk," says Consumer Reports auto testing director Jake Fisher.

Tesla has argued that making Autopilot too annoying will discourage drivers from activating the automated system, increasing the time spent operating via less safe manual control.

The CR tests also evaluated Nissan's ProPilot Assist and Volvo's Pilot Assist, both of which ranked below Cadillac Super Cruise and Tesla Autopilot.