What Is Ford BlueCruise?

Some Ford and Lincoln trucks and SUVs allow drivers to sail down the highway without touching the steering wheel with the company’s BlueCruise driver-assistance technology.

Evan McCausland | 

Feb 11, 2022 | 3 min read

Ford

Ford BlueCruise is an advanced driver assistance system that allows for hands-free driving on select highways. It works by linking together several advanced driver aids, most notably:

• Adaptive cruise control: uses camera and radar technologies to detect when you’re approaching another car and automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe following distance
• Lane centering: makes slight steering inputs to keep the vehicle in the middle of its lane
• Digital maps: helps the vehicle know where it is and the configuration of the road it’s on in order to make decisions

As with General Motors’ hands-free Super Cruise system, drivers can use BlueCruise only on certain approved divided highways. Presently, Ford has mapped more than 100,000 miles of Blue Zones — that is, roads where the system can operate. As the company expands BlueCruise’s coverage area and capabilities, it’ll send over-the-air updates to equipped vehicles, giving them new maps and features such as automatic lane-change functionality.

How Do I Use BlueCruise?

When a vehicle is within a mapped area, the driver can engage BlueCruise by selecting the adaptive cruise button. Then, when the instrument display reads “hands-free,” they can remove their hands from the steering wheel. An interior camera tracks head and eye movement to ensure the driver is alert and monitoring the road. If it detects inattentiveness, the vehicle will issue a series of warnings (first visual, then audible) to prompt the driver to focus. If ignored, it will turn off BlueCruise.

How Much Does BlueCruise Cost?

BlueCruise functionality requires both an initial hardware cost and a recurring subscription fee. The latter is consistent across the board: Owners who want this functionality must pay for a three-year map-update plan, which runs $600. Pricing for BlueCruise hardware varies depending on the vehicle selected.

Which Vehicles Offer BlueCruise?

In 2021, Ford offered BlueCruise in select F-150 and Mustang Mach-E models. In 2022, expect to see it spread to the new F-150 Lightning electric pickup and the updated Expedition full-size SUV. Additionally, the Lincoln Navigator — which shares its platform with the Expedition — will offer the same capability under the name ActiveGlide.

Here’s a more thorough rundown of where to find it:

• Ford Expedition: Expected in winter 2022, the new Expedition will offer BlueCruise only on Platinum models, where it comes standard
• Ford F-150: BlueCruise comes standard on Limited models and is embedded in the $1,995 Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 package on Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trucks. Depending on which trim level you select, the package may also require other options (such as a 360-degree camera, a towing pack, and/or a higher equipment group) that can up the purchase price by hundreds or even thousands of dollars
• Ford F-150 Lightning: You can option BlueCruise on a standard-range-battery Lariat for $2,220, or you can upgrade to the extended-range-battery version of that trim or the top-tier Platinum model, where it’s included
• Ford Mustang Mach E: BlueCruise is standard on Premium and California Route 1 models, included with the $1,900 Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 and 360-Degree Camera package on GT models, and bundled with the $3,200 Comfort/Technology package on the Select trim
• Lincoln Navigator: ActiveGlide is exclusive to Reserve and Black Label trims, where it comes standard

Evan McCausland

Car, truck, train, or bus—if a vehicle has wheels, chances are Evan McCausland is interested in it. More importantly, he’s interested in helping others learn more about cars and trucks, especially when it comes time to make a decision on their next vehicle purchase. For nearly two decades, he’s been fortunate to have the opportunity to do just that, writing for major automotive publications, automotive clubs, and automakers alike.