Ford is continuing to expand its advanced driver assistance technology in the UK with BlueCruise, a system that allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel on designated roads while continuing to monitor the road ahead.
The technology is designed around a “hands-off, eyes-on” approach. Rather than making the vehicle fully autonomous, BlueCruise combines adaptive cruise control, lane-centring technology and driver monitoring to assist with motorway driving when the system is available.
Ford is currently promoting BlueCruise test drives in the UK, giving drivers the opportunity to experience the technology for themselves in vehicles including the Ford Puma, Puma Gen-E and Kuga. BlueCruise is also available on selected versions of other Ford models.
But how does Ford BlueCruise actually work, where can you use it in the UK, and how different is it from a genuinely self-driving vehicle?
In this guide, we explain everything UK drivers and businesses need to know about Ford BlueCruise, including how the system works, where it can be used, which Ford models offer it and what it could mean for drivers covering long motorway journeys.
What Is Ford BlueCruise?
Ford BlueCruise is an advanced driver assistance system designed to make motorway driving easier by taking over some of the vehicle’s steering, acceleration and braking functions in suitable conditions.
The technology is sometimes described as hands-free driving, because drivers can remove their hands from the steering wheel when BlueCruise is active in an approved Blue Zone.
However, it is important to distinguish hands-free driving from autonomous or driverless driving.
Ford describes BlueCruise as a Level 2+ driver assistance system. The vehicle can assist with steering, speed and distance from other vehicles, but the driver remains responsible for the journey and must continue to monitor the road.
Ford’s own guidance makes clear that drivers should only remove their hands from the wheel when they are in a Blue Zone, keep their eyes on the road and be prepared to take control of the vehicle.
This makes BlueCruise particularly interesting for long motorway journeys, where maintaining speed, lane position and a safe distance from other traffic can otherwise require constant driver input.
How Does Ford BlueCruise Work?
BlueCruise brings together several different technologies rather than relying on a single feature.
The system uses the vehicle’s cameras, sensors, navigation information and driver-monitoring technology to determine whether hands-free assistance can be used.
When the vehicle enters a compatible Blue Zone and the relevant conditions are met, BlueCruise can assist with:
- Keeping the vehicle centred in its lane
- Maintaining a set speed
- Maintaining a safe distance from vehicles ahead
- Adjusting speed as traffic conditions change
- Steering through gentle motorway curves
- Helping the driver during longer motorway journeys
The driver does not simply switch the system on and stop paying attention. Instead, BlueCruise is designed around the principle of hands off, eyes on.
Driver Monitoring
One of the most important parts of BlueCruise is its ability to monitor the driver’s attention.
A driver-facing camera monitors the driver’s head position and gaze. This means that, even when the driver’s hands are away from the steering wheel, the vehicle can check that they are continuing to look at the road.
If the system detects that the driver is not paying sufficient attention, it can issue warnings and ultimately require the driver to resume control.
This is one of the key differences between BlueCruise and the idea of a completely autonomous car.
The technology is there to assist the driver, rather than replace them.
What Does BlueCruise Actually Control?
BlueCruise builds on technologies that are already familiar in many modern cars.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control monitors traffic ahead and can adjust the vehicle’s speed to maintain a pre-set distance from the car in front.
If traffic slows down, the vehicle can reduce its speed. When the road ahead clears, it can accelerate back towards the driver’s selected speed, subject to the system’s limitations.
Ford says its Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go can maintain a comfortable distance from vehicles ahead and bring the vehicle to a stop when necessary.
Lane Centring
BlueCruise also assists with steering to help keep the vehicle positioned within its lane.
This means the driver does not need to make continuous small steering corrections during hands-free operation.
The system is designed for suitable roads and conditions; however, not for every type of road a driver might encounter.
Lane Change Assist
Selected BlueCruise-equipped vehicles can also include lane change assistance as part of the wider driver assistance package.
This builds on the system’s ability to assist with motorway driving, although drivers should always remain ready to intervene.
The exact equipment and functionality can vary according to the vehicle and specification, so buyers should check the specification of the particular Ford they are considering.
What Are Ford Blue Zones?
BlueCruise does not work everywhere.
Instead, hands-free operation is restricted to designated stretches of road known as Blue Zones.
These are approved sections of road where Ford’s system can provide the appropriate level of assistance.
For UK drivers, this means that BlueCruise is particularly focused on motorway driving rather than being a system that can simply be activated anywhere.
The vehicle can identify when it is entering or leaving an eligible Blue Zone, helping determine when hands-free functionality can be used.
Ford says BlueCruise is available on designated motorways and has expanded the network across the UK and Europe. Availability can change, so drivers should check Ford’s current Blue Zone information before relying on the system for a particular journey.
Can You Use Ford BlueCruise On Any UK Road?
No.
This is one of the most important things to understand about BlueCruise.
The system is designed for designated roads and conditions. A driver cannot simply activate hands-free driving on a local road, in a residential area or on any motorway section that is not supported.
Even within a Blue Zone, the driver remains responsible for paying attention and being ready to take control.
This means BlueCruise should be viewed as a motorway driving aid, rather than a universal autonomous driving system.
For someone who regularly drives long distances on the UK’s motorway network, that distinction may be less of a limitation than it sounds. For predominantly urban drivers, however, the benefits could be considerably more limited.
Which Ford Cars Have BlueCruise?
BlueCruise is available on selected Ford vehicles and specifications in the UK.
Ford’s current BlueCruise range includes models such as:
Availability can depend on the model, specification, transmission and market, so it is important to check the exact vehicle rather than assuming that every version of a particular Ford has BlueCruise.
Ford is also currently promoting dedicated BlueCruise Edition versions of the Puma, Puma Gen-E and Kuga.
Ford Puma BlueCruise Edition
The Puma BlueCruise Edition combines the compact crossover with Ford’s hands-free driving technology.
Ford describes it as its most advanced Puma yet, with BlueCruise and Connected Navigation included as standard on the BlueCruise Edition.
For drivers who spend a mixture of time on urban roads and motorways, this could provide an interesting combination of everyday practicality and advanced motorway assistance.
Ford Puma Gen-E BlueCruise Edition
The Puma Gen-E brings BlueCruise to Ford’s electric crossover range.
The BlueCruise Edition includes the hands-free technology alongside Connected Navigation, making it an option for drivers looking for an electric vehicle with more advanced motorway assistance.
Ford Kuga BlueCruise Edition
The Kuga is arguably one of the more obvious candidates for the technology because of its focus on longer journeys and family use.
Ford currently offers a Kuga BlueCruise Edition with BlueCruise and Connected Navigation as standard. The Kuga range also includes petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, depending on specification.
How Much Does Ford BlueCruise Cost?
The cost of BlueCruise depends on the vehicle and how the feature is purchased.
Ford currently offers a 90-day trial, after which its subscription pricing is listed at £17.99 per month or £215 per year. The subscription automatically renews onto a paid plan unless it is cancelled.
Some vehicle specifications can also offer BlueCruise as part of a package or through a one-time purchase.
For example, Ford’s UK Puma Gen-E pricing information lists a BlueCruise-capable driver assistance package and a separate lifetime BlueCruise option on applicable specifications.
This makes it important to look at the total cost rather than simply asking whether a car “has BlueCruise”.
For a leased vehicle, in particular, drivers and fleet managers may want to establish whether the technology is included for the full lease period, requires a subscription or forms part of the vehicle’s original specification.
Is Ford BlueCruise Really Self-Driving?
No.
This is probably the biggest misconception surrounding the technology.
BlueCruise can control important aspects of the driving task, but it does not turn a Ford into a driverless vehicle.
Ford categorises BlueCruise as Level 2+ automated driving technology. At this level, the system can assist with steering, acceleration and braking while the driver remains responsible for supervising the vehicle.
That means the driver must:
- Continue watching the road
- Remain alert
- Be prepared to take control
- Follow the applicable road rules
- Only use hands-free functionality where permitted
- Follow the vehicle’s instructions and warnings
The “eyes-on” part of BlueCruise is therefore just as important as the “hands-off” part.
The technology is designed to reduce the physical workload of driving, not to give the driver permission to stop paying attention.
What Are The Benefits Of BlueCruise?
For the right type of driver, BlueCruise could make a noticeable difference to the experience of long-distance driving.
Less Constant Steering Input
On a long motorway journey, drivers make countless small steering adjustments.
Removing the need for constant hands-on steering can reduce some of that physical workload.
Easier Long-Distance Motorway Driving
BlueCruise is specifically designed around motorway driving, where traffic tends to travel in clearly defined lanes and journeys can involve long periods of relatively predictable driving.
That makes it potentially useful for people who regularly cover significant motorway distances.
Reduced Driving Workload
Adaptive cruise control and lane-centring can already make long journeys less demanding.
BlueCruise combines those capabilities with hands-free operation in eligible circumstances, potentially making the experience feel more relaxed.
However, drivers should not interpret “more relaxed” as an invitation to become less attentive.
Could BlueCruise Be Useful For Business Drivers?
There is an obvious potential application for BlueCruise among business drivers.
Employees who regularly travel between offices, customer sites, construction projects or appointments can spend several hours a week on motorways.
For these drivers, technology that can assist with speed, following distance and lane positioning may be particularly appealing.
The same could apply to fleet operators choosing vehicles for employees who regularly cover long distances.
For businesses considering advanced technology alongside their wider vehicle requirements, business contract hire can provide a flexible way to fund company vehicles.
For businesses, however, the important consideration is not simply whether a vehicle has BlueCruise.
Fleet managers should also consider the following:
- How much motorway driving employees actually do
- Whether their usual routes include Blue Zones
- The cost of the relevant BlueCruise subscription or vehicle specification
- Whether drivers understand the system’s limitations
- The vehicle’s wider running costs
- Whether the technology fits the company’s fleet policy
BlueCruise could be a useful feature, but it should form part of a broader vehicle and fleet decision rather than being treated as a substitute for good driver training and safe driving practices.
Does BlueCruise Make Driving Safer?
This is where some caution is needed.
Driver assistance technology is intended to support the driver, but it does not remove the possibility of mistakes, system limitations or changing road conditions.
Ford explicitly states that BlueCruise does not replace safe driving and that the driver remains responsible for the vehicle.
That means drivers should not assume that having their hands off the wheel means they can safely become distracted.
Weather, roadworks, unusual traffic situations and other circumstances can all affect the way a driver assistance system operates.
The safest approach is to treat BlueCruise as an additional layer of assistance while remaining fully engaged with the road.
What Happens If You Need To Take Control?
The driver can resume control of the vehicle when necessary.
BlueCruise is designed so that the driver remains the ultimate authority over the car. If the system asks the driver to take over, they need to respond promptly.
This could happen if the vehicle leaves a supported Blue Zone, if conditions are no longer suitable or if the system detects that driver attention is not sufficient.
The important point is that BlueCruise does not remove the driver’s responsibility.
The driver still needs to understand what is happening around the vehicle and be capable of taking over at any time.
Ford BlueCruise Test Drives
Ford is currently encouraging UK motorists to experience BlueCruise through test drives of its BlueCruise Edition vehicles.
The current promotion highlights the Puma, Puma Gen-E and Kuga, giving prospective customers an opportunity to experience the hands-free technology before deciding whether it suits their driving needs.
A test drive could be particularly useful because the benefits of BlueCruise are difficult to judge from a specification sheet.
Drivers can experience how the system maintains lane position, manages following distances and communicates with them when their attention is required.
For anyone considering a vehicle with BlueCruise, it is also worth asking the dealer exactly what is included with the particular vehicle and how long the BlueCruise access lasts.
Is Ford BlueCruise Worth It?
Whether BlueCruise is worth having will largely depend on how you drive.
For someone who spends most of their time making short urban journeys, the benefit may be relatively limited because the hands-free functionality is intended for designated roads.
For a driver who regularly travels hundreds of motorway miles, however, the technology could be much more compelling.
The current subscription price also means buyers should think about how often they are likely to use the feature.
At £17.99 per month, occasional users may decide that the technology is not essential. A driver who spends hours every week on supported motorways could see considerably more value in having it available.
The availability of one-time purchase options on some vehicles also means that the calculation can change depending on how long the vehicle is expected to be owned or leased.
Ford BlueCruise vs Autonomous Driving
It is easy to see why BlueCruise is sometimes associated with autonomous driving.
The experience of taking your hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle maintains its position and speed can feel like a significant step towards driverless cars.
But there is still a substantial difference.
BlueCruise: the driver remains responsible and must monitor the road.
Higher levels of automation: the vehicle can progressively take on more of the driving task and, at higher levels, may operate without the driver needing to continuously supervise it.
Ford itself describes the five levels of driving automation, from basic driver assistance through to full automation. BlueCruise sits within the Level 2+ category rather than representing a fully autonomous vehicle.
That distinction is important as the UK’s rules and public understanding of automated vehicles continue to develop.
The Future Of Hands-Free Driving In The UK
BlueCruise is one part of a much wider development in vehicle automation. We look in more detail at how autonomous vehicles could impact UK fleet leasing, including what the technology could mean for vehicle selection, residual values and fleet strategy.
BlueCruise provides a glimpse of how driving could change as vehicles become increasingly capable of assisting with more parts of a journey.
The technology is still centred around the driver, but it represents a move away from traditional cruise control towards systems that can manage several aspects of driving simultaneously.
As automated driving technology develops, the key challenge will be balancing convenience with driver responsibility.
For motorists, that means understanding not only what a system can do, but also what it cannot do.
BlueCruise demonstrates that hands-free driving is already becoming a reality on selected UK roads, but fully autonomous driving remains a very different proposition.
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