Your New VW Can Change Lanes On Its Own Like A Tesla

Select 2027 Volkswagen models in the United States are getting updated driver assistance systems. While the new features may reduce driving stress for some, owners still need to stay vigilant at all times and shouldn’t be fooled into thinking they can hand over complete control to the vehicle.

A key update to VW’s Travel Assist system is an assisted lane-changing feature. All drivers have to do is activate the turn signal when driving at over 45 mph, and the on-board radar sensors will see if there’s any adjacent traffic nearby. If not, the vehicle will automatically change lanes, either left or right depending on the turn signal direction.

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If traffic is nearby, the safety system will remain on hold for up to 12 seconds until it clears.

Debuting alongside the new assisted lane changing feature is VW’s Emergency Assist Plus technology, which activates when either Lane Assist or Travel Assist is enabled. If Lane Assist is active and the vehicle detects multiple lane departures without driver intervention, the car will safely move over to the shoulder. When stopped, it shifts into Park, triggers the hazards, and sounds the horn. It also unlocks the doors and triggers the emergency call function.

When Travel Assist is in operation and the car drifts out of its lane, the horn will honk, the brakes will be jerked three times, and the seatbelt will tighten. If the driver fails to respond, the vehicle will safely pull over to the shoulder. All of these new features are being added to 2027 Atlas, Golf, ID. Buzz, and Tiguan models.

For 2027, Atlas, ID. Buzz and Tiguan models also include a new rearview camera that can detect pedestrians. The Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control system has also been tweaked, and the ID. Buzz now includes Road Experience Management data. This gathers data from road users in real time to improve map quality.