ProPilot Assist is Nissan's brand name for its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
This includes adaptive cruise control, which maintains your speed and can slow to match traffic around you. That's combined with lane-keep assist, which keeps the car centred in its lane.
Together, this is enough for level 2 semi-autonomous driving. That means the car operates the steering and pedals automatically, with the driver monitoring and ready to take over if needed.
What is ProPilot Assist on a Nissan?
If your Nissan is equipped with ProPilot Assist – or just 'ProPilot' in other markets – that means it combines the functions of adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. This pairing is enough to allow the car to control its speed and steering on motorways and major A-roads, with the human driver keeping watch over the car.
ProPilot Assist is similar to other semi-autonomous driving systems from other brands, like Tesla's Autopilot and Ford's BlueCruise. Looking at Nissan's consumer website, it seems the brand is now referring to ProPilot Assist's features under the umbrella term 'Nissan Intelligent Mobility'.
How does Nissan ProPilot Assist work?
ProPilot Assist uses a combination of sensors placed around the car to detect obstacles, other car and road markings. These include a number of standard vision cameras, with image-processing software to 'see' various angles around the car.
In addition, ProPilot Assist cars use a front-mounted radar to get an accurate measure of the gap between the vehicle and traffic ahead – this is unaffected by weather conditions. Finally, the system also uses the standard ultrasonic detectors used as parking sensors to pick up nearby objects.
How to turn Nissan ProPilot Assist on
Nissan models equipped with ProPilot Assist all have a special button on the steering wheel to activate the system. This features a light-blue icon of a car viewed top-down inside two rings.
Pressing this button will activate ProPilot Assist, assuming external conditions are correct. This usually means the weather is clear enough that it doesn't affect the car's sensors, and that you're on a motorway or A-road with separated carriageways (dual carriageways).
ProPilot Assist will remain on as long as you continue using the system, or until you reach a road that the system is unable to navigate. If the ProPilot Assist system needs to deactivate at any time, it'll give the driver an audible warning and a message in the gauge cluster telling them to take over. You can turn ProPilot Assist off either using the steering wheel button or by pressing the brake pedal.
Which cars have Nissan ProPilot Assist?
Nissan's full lineup of passenger cars in the UK is available with ProPilot Assist, or technology equivalent to it. The feature is usually restricted to higher trim levels. The selection includes:
- Nissan Juke – compact SUV with sporty styling
- Nissan Qashqai – easygoing five-seater family SUV
- Nissan X-Trail – large family SUV with seven-seat option
- Nissan Leaf – iconic electric car renewed as a compact SUV
- Nissan Leaf (used) – sensible electric hatchback with low prices and lots of kit
- Nissan Ariya – electric family SUV with flowing styling
The latest Nissan Micra is based on the Renault 5 and shares that car's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist features. These are available on mid-grade Advance and range-topping Evolve models.
Is Nissan ProPilot Assist legal in the UK?
Yes. ProPilot Assist is fully legal to use in the UK. The car will only allow you to use the function when it's on a road where ProPilot Assist is available – i.e. a major road with a separated carriageway like a motorway or large A-road.
Like all other semi-autonomous driving systems, the human driver remains legally responsible for the car at all times. That means they must be constantly paying attention and be ready to take over at any time should the car do something dangerous or fail to respond to a dangerous situation.
Where can I use Nissan ProPilot Assist?
ProPilot Assist is only available for use on large roads and motorways. The two opposing traffic directions must be separated by a lane divider for the system to be available.
That means almost all of the UK's motorway network and a vast proportion of its major arterial roads are suitable for ProPilot Assist.
How much does Nissan ProPilot Assist cost?
ProPilot Assist is tied to the trim level you choose for your Nissan. So it doesn't cost anything extra by itself and is included in the car's price if you pick a trim level that features it.
Nissan is in the process of rolling out ProPilot 2.0 to its latest models – more on that below. This more advanced system is expected to be tied to a subscription cost if it's brought to the UK.
What is the Nissan ProPilot 2.0? Is it any good?
Nissan ProPilot 2.0 is currently only available in North America and Japan. This is a more advanced semi-autonomous setup, although it remains a level 2 system as the human driver is still responsible for the car.
Key advancements for ProPilot 2.0 include hands-off driving while you're cruising in a single lane – just like Ford's BlueCruise in the UK. Plus, the system can determine when to overtake a slower vehicle or exit the motorway, and prompt the driver to confirm and put their hands on the wheel while the car makes the manoeuvre.
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