CGI view from driver's seat of VW vehicle driving on highway.

Adaptive Cruise Control⁠

Part of the IQ.DRIVE safety-enhancing and intelligent technologies

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) helps drivers maintain a constant speed and distance from the vehicle ahead using sensors to detect other vehicles. 
The system can reduce speed of the vehicle if there is a slower moving vehicle ahead, bring the vehicle to a standstill, and resume speed regulation as long as the vehicle in front is moving again.

Maintain a safe distance

Assists with unintentional tailgating

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) feature allows drivers to maintain a constant speed while also keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead using sensors. This helps reduce the stress of constantly adjusting speed and distance, making the driving experience more comfortable.

CGI VW vehicle driving on highway.
CGI VW vehicle driving on highway.
Safety and confidence on the road

Adaptive responses for responsible driving

With the ability to slow down or bring the vehicle to a standstill in response to slower moving vehicles ahead, drivers can feel confident that they are driving safely and responsibly. This feature also ensures that drivers can easily resume speed regulation once the vehicle in front starts moving again, making the driving experience smoother and more enjoyable.

The ins and outs of adaptive cruise control

  • How it works

    Helps you maintain a preset speed and/or preset distance from the vehicle directly ahead. When dealing with traffic on the highway, it uses sensors to detect vehicles ahead of you, helping adjust your speed, and manages the distance between you and what’s in front of you.⁠

  • Instructions

    • To engage the system, press the ON/OFF button on your steering wheel and then set your speed by accelerating to the desired speed and press the SET button.
    • To increase the set speed by the 1 mph, press the + button. If you press and hold the + button, the speed will increase continuously in 5 mph increments.
    • To decrease the set speed by the 1 mph, press the - button. If you press and hold the - button, the speed will decrease continuously in 5 mph increments.
    • To adjust the following distance from the vehicle in front of you, press the ACC button on your steering wheel. As you press the ACC button, you'll see a change in the number of solid bars in your digital cockpit. The more bars visible, the greater the following distance. You can make the same adjustments using the +/- buttons immediately after pressing the ACC button or in your infotainment screen.
    • To cancel, press the brake pedal or quickly press the cruise control button on the steering wheel.
    • To resume a previously stored speed, press the RES button on the steering wheel.
    • When you accelerate, the ACC function pauses and then resumes as soon as you stop accelerating.
    • Note that, in some conditions, select vehicles may come to a complete standstill. For example, if the vehicle ahead of you comes to a stop, your vehicle will also come to a stop. The stop and go feature is included on all model year 2024 vehicles. For previous generation models, see your owner’s manual for vehicle limitations.

  • Limitations

    • You must be driving above a minimum speed to activate the system. For some models the minimum speed is 15 mph; for others, it is 20 mph.
    • Only reacts to objects within the sensor’s line of sight; some vehicles such are not detected until they are within the sensor’s line of sight.
    • While all MY22 and newer vehicles can detect pedestrians, only some can detect cyclists. See your Owner’s Manual for your vehicle’s limitations.
    • Once activated, system only operates between 0 and 95 mph.
    • The following situations can lead to unwanted braking: 
    1. Damage to or misalignment of sensors or sensor mounting.
    2. Sensor blockage, which can be caused by ice/snow buildup, dirt, mud or leaves. 
    3. Towing heavy trailers or carrying heavy cargo in the rear of the vehicle, which can elevate the front of the vehicle and change sensor angles. 
    4. Curvature in the road.
    • The following situations can disable the system:
    1. Damage to, misalignment of or blockage of the sensors.
    2. Towing heavy trailers or carrying heavy cargo in the rear of the vehicle, which can elevate the front of the vehicle and change sensor angles.
    • Braking force is limited. If additional emergency braking is needed, Front Assist may intervene.
Find answers about driver assistance

The VW Help Center

Discover answers to frequently asked questions about driver assistance features and general information about Volkswagen. Explore a wealth of information to better understand our products and services.

Visit the Help CenterOpens an external link
Woman with umbrella.

Ownership benefits

Go to owner benefits
Volkswagen GTI in front of red brick wall.

Shop Models

Explore new vehicles
VW logo on an ID.4 model.

Build your ID.4

Start buildingOpens an external link