Find out Tesla autopilot vs enhanced autopilot vs full self driving and which one is right for you.
Tesla vehicles can drive themselves to a certain degree because of the sensors, cameras, and AI technology. However, it does not mean that Tesla EVs can be used with driver supervision, and drivers must pay attention to avoid any incidents.
Tesla Autopilot
The first basic and least advanced autonomous autopilot mode was released by Tesla in 2014. All-new Tesla vehicles come with autopilot included for free. But if you have a Tesla Model 3 built before April 2019, then you will not have basic autopilot features included, and you will need to pay $4000 for the upgrade.
The basic Tesla autopilot is designed to be used with full regulation by the driver. It includes two features: lane centering (Autosteer) and adaptive cruise control. However, both of these features are common in modern cars.
When you use the Tesla Autopilot, the autosteer mode keeps your vehicle in a lane. You can only activate the autosteer mode when the cruise control is used while driving at a certain high speed. However, the autosteer will turn off when the driver presses the brake. When you turn on the traffic cruise control mode, it adjusts your car’s speed to match the traffic.
Tesla Enhanced Autopilot
Tesla’s enhanced autopilot mode was released in September 2020 and costs $6000. This mode has some features that other modern cars don’t have. The enhanced autopilot has five features, including:
- Navigate on Autopilot: It can drive your Tesla on the highway from on-ramp to off-ramp without your input. Moreover, it also recommends lane changes, automatically turning on your turn signal, navigating interchanges, and taking the correct exit.
- Auto Lane Change: It will robotically fine-tune the lanes, and you can also set it to require your permission before making any changes.
- Autopark: It will park your Tesla into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces automatically. It also checks for any empty parking lot around you, in case you are finding a parking spot.
- Summon: You can move your Tesla vehicle forward and backward in a constrained parking area from the Tesla app.
- Smart Summon: It can guide your Tesla towards you in complex environments like a rainy day or a thunderstorm.
Tesla FSD: Full Self Driving
Tesla’s full self-driving (FSD) mode was released in November 2022 and costs $15,000 upfront or $200 per monthly subscription. It is the most expensive, but advanced, autopilot option. The owner of Tesla, Elon Musk, claims that the FSD lets you navigate independently without human interaction. Furthermore, Elon actually uses the FSD in the upcoming vehicle, the Tesla Robotaxi, unveiled on August 8. This vehicle can be driven automatically and generate income for its owners when it is not in use.
Tesla said that the FSD is the eventual car-to-door mode that can drive you from point A to point B. However, up until now, FSD is not quite there, so you should be ready to stay alert and be in control. Well, right now, the FSD offers the same features that basic and enhanced autopilot offers. But the exclusive features include two:
- Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: It lets your vehicle start and stop at the traffic light and stop signs.
- Autosteer on the Streets: It is currently available to Tesla FSD Beta users but will be available soon to everybody. It lets your car drive itself anywhere with little assistance.
Which is Right for You? Tesla Autopilot VS Enhanced Autopilot VS Full Self Driving
All of the Tesla’s autopilot modes are overpriced and overhyped, according to our team’s deep review. Tesla is asking people to pay a lot of money for some risky software features.
But if you have a new Tesla that was built after April 2019, then you can freely use the standard autopilot. You don’t have to purchase the $4000 upgrade, which is really a hefty amount for just two features.
Conclusively, which software is right for you—whether Tesla autopilot vs. enhanced autopilot vs full self driving—depends on your lifestyle, net income, and guts to deal with sometimes immature software.
Controversies Related to Tesla Autopilot
The autopilot mode of Tesla has come under intense critisim.
The reason for criticism is that the autopilot is engaged in multiple accidents. It let the NHTSA: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration start looking into the use of autopilot. After the investigation results, over 360,000 Tesla vehicles with FSD Beta were recalled. The official report of NHTSA stated that self-driving technology causes certain cars to act unsafe when approaching connections and that may fail to stop aptly.
Another reason od the criticism is that it is important to remember that Tesla clearly says that a driver has to be fully attentive when using any of the autonomous features. Also, a driver should never depend on an autosteer to know an appropriate driving path.
However, it is another matter whether or not a driver abides by these guidelines. Any Tesla vehicle is not prepared to take you from your home to the office while you are sleeping, romancing with your partner, or drinking alcohol.
FAQ’s
Q: What is the FSD Beta?
Tesla FSD can drive you to your destination, stopping at and negotiating intersections, making left and right turns, navigating roundabouts, and entering/exiting highways whether the roads are curved or straight.
Q: Does enhanced autopilot stop at a red light traffic signal?
No enhanced autopilot vehicle only stops or slows down when the other vehicle is directly in front of it, and it will not stop at a stop sign or red light.
Q: What is the difference between autopilot and autosteer?
Autopilot mode has two features: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control matches the speed of your car with the surrounding traffic. Autosteer: it assists in steering within a clearly marked lane using the traffic-aware cruise control feature.
Q: Can you refund enhance autopilot and full self driving (FSD)?
Yes, you can request a refund within 48 hours of purchase of FSD and Enhanced autopilot.
