Comparison: Ford Copilot vs Tesla Autopilot

[lightningandmache]

It really depends on 2 factors. Was the Tesla you were driving one with Hardware 4, where the cameras are far better? Meaning either the new Model 3 Highland (2024+), or the new Model Y Juniper (2025)? If so, it is better. But in reality, Tesla cheats folks with Autopilot into getting FSD. They give FSD for free for a month. With FSD, whether or not you use FSD or just use Autopilot, the Autopilot is about the best I’ve experienced. It’s better than Ford’s and better than Kia/Hyundai/Genesis (all of which I’ve driven). But once you unsubscribe from FSD, Autopilot goes to crap. Clearly the tech is there, but they want people subscribing to FSD for $100/month. Now if you drive a ‘23 or below Tesla, it sucks either way due to phantom braking etc because it’s cameras are far lower resolution.

This was my friends '24 Model Y. He doesn't pay for FSD because while super capable you have no control. It wants to make non-stop lane changes that make no sense so he abandoned it for Autopilot which is far simpler but has clear boundaries. He didn't mention the car trying to dash toward ramps though!

I've tried most "top" systems except the latest mercedes. HDA2, BMW DAP, Supercruise, TSS3.0, ...

I don't know how you can rank Autopilot better than BMW or Supercruise. Neither of those systems tries to lurch toward exits at 75mph. They also let you get involved whenever you want to. They're hands free and take over 95% of the driving. They also have automatic lane changes. Autopilot lane changes blow. Don't even get me started about how much worse it's adaptive cruise distance control is.

What are your issues with the ford system and what do you like better about Autopilot? I don't mind helping it through sharper curves because that is like 0.05% of my normal drive time. They both could be a lot smoother in stop and go, that's for sure.

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[ChehRob]

Tesla does a better job on pedestrian and cycle recognition, as well as garbage cans and other things maybe impinging on the side of the road. Also the multiple cameras show almost all surrounding cars and things. Ford does a really good job on segues between the various and no ADAS levels of assistance. Ford also does a better job on monitoring driver attention.

 

[lightningandmache]

Tesla does a better job on pedestrian and cycle recognition, as well as garbage cans and other things maybe impinging on the side of the road. Also the multiple cameras show almost all surrounding cars and things. Ford does a really good job on segues between the various and no ADAS levels of assistance. Ford also does a better job on monitoring driver attention.

I encountered cyclists on the shoulder of a 2-lane and Autopilot didn't move over for them despite seeing them. I don't know if trash cans on the highway matter. The only Autopilot standout was really curve centering to me.

 

[E90alex]

Tesla does a better job on pedestrian and cycle recognition, as well as garbage cans and other things maybe impinging on the side of the road. Also the multiple cameras show almost all surrounding cars and things. Ford does a really good job on segues between the various and no ADAS levels of assistance. Ford also does a better job on monitoring driver attention.

It “sees” them and renders them on the display but basic Autopilot doesn’t seem to do anything with that information.

 

[samev]

My biggest peeve with BC (even on 1.3) is how easily it disengages when lane lines are not clearly visible ahead. The slightest lack of clarity (for instance, with the sun in its LOS or a wet shimmery road) throws off BC. And the windshield is clean and spotless. Maybe because there is only 1 antiquated camera doing all the lane-centering work. I bet other brands do a better job in this regard.

 

[lightningandmache]

My biggest peeve with BC (even on 1.3) is how easily it disengages when lane lines are not clearly visible ahead. The slightest lack of clarity (for instance, with the sun in its LOS or a wet shimmery road) throws off BC. And the windshield is clean and spotless. Maybe because there is only 1 antiquated camera doing all the lane-centering work. I bet other brands do a better job in this regard.

Yes, I would add this to the gripe list. But I tend to be very untrusting anyways, so anytime lines aren't clear I like to co-steer hands-on anyways. At speed I don't want the car pretending it's more confident than it really is.

 

[ChehRob]

Crossing the Aurora Bridge on the dark rainy night, the MME loses all lane keeping, the Tesla 'sees' cars on both sides of you and lane keeping continues to be helpful.

 

[lightningandmache]

Crossing the Aurora Bridge on the dark rainy night, the MME loses all lane keeping, the Tesla 'sees' cars on both sides of you and lane keeping continues to be helpful.

I didn't get to experience Autopilot in the rain, but yes sometimes the Mach-e will say "nope" if it can't confidently see the lines with reflections on wet road, but I normally don't have this problem on open highway. Does yours only do this on this one spot?

Any time lines aren't clear I don't want the system in control. Seems too risky to be worth it.

 

[E90alex]

Crossing the Aurora Bridge on the dark rainy night, the MME loses all lane keeping, the Tesla 'sees' cars on both sides of you and lane keeping continues to be helpful.

Unless Autpilot is active, I found the Tesla lane keep assist to be very inconsistent and mostly not do much of anything. I could easily drift in and out of a lane without the Tesla trying to make any corrections or visual or audio warnings. Sometimes it even felt like it wanted to pull me even closer to the edge of the lane instead of nudging me back to the middle. But other times when I purposefully swerve to miss a pot hole or something, it will completely freak out and beep like crazy. I find the MME system much more consistent in actually assisting in keeping you in your lane (as the name implies it should do).

And I never used Autopilot in the rain because it forces auto wipers on and I absolutely hated the auto wipers on the Tesla because they would go to maximum speed at the slightest hint of rain. And often even wipe when its dry.

Neither system is perfect by any means but I much prefer how the MME system works.

 

[ChehRob]

On the freeway the lanes are wide enough (and I'm usually in the HOV ones, so cars on one side only). So losing lane keeping is not a problem. I would like a little assistance on that very old bridge (built well, so it never will be preplaced) when it is crowded, dark, and rainy.

 

[Msnwcpa]

I recently spent a lot of time in a Tesla with Autopilot and was able to compare to Copilot (mostly hands on, but some Bluecruise).

Autopilot was better in sharper curves, but when it isn't ... wow, it's terrible! You can't simply steer the vehicle if you are unsure about the curve. The system fights you. On some curves it would drift toward the yellow and oncoming traffic so naturally you move to push it back...NOPE.

If driving near ramps and some exits on 2-lane highways Autopilot lurches toward the ramp. I'm sure the people behind me thought I was drunk. This was shocking. How do people use this system?

Want to change lanes? Good luck! You have to fully disengage the system or else it fights you.

I came away preferring Ford's implementation, which was unexpected.

which version of BC is this? I had BC 1.3 when I got the car new for 3 months and it was smoother compared to Tesla fsd.

Tesla FSD has put me in dangerous situations many times. It makes decisions automatically and then will give up at the last min ? one has to be very attentive. It’s Fully supervised drive or you get hit. Tesla relies only on cameras and half the time it complains that it’s blinded and not working.

In my limited experience of driving modern cars - BC, and other car maker’s implementations do not automatically make decisions ask you for input hence it’s not too erratic. Human is in the loop.

 

[lightningandmache]

which version of BC is this? I had BC 1.3 when I got the car new for 3 months and it was smoother compared to Tesla fsd.

Tesla FSD has put me in dangerous situations many times. It makes decisions automatically and then will give up at the last min ? one has to be very attentive. It’s Fully supervised drive or you get hit. Tesla relies only on cameras and half the time it complains that it’s blinded and not working.

In my limited experience of driving modern cars - BC, and other car maker’s implementations do not automatically make decisions ask you for input hence it’s not too erratic. Human is in the loop.

BC 1.3. I didn't try FSD because my friend didn't buy it after the trial because (a) it tailgates, (b) can't prevent it from willy-nilly making lane changes on it's own and (c) the general feeling of uncomfortableness of never knowing exactly what the car is gonna do.

I don't even get the idea of FSD really. Driving down to the store or dry cleaner isn't a big deal like longer highway drives are. And I'm legally responsible for the car's actions?! I'm on board if it's good enough to be unsupervised and they take liability.

Autopilot was worse than bluecruise and the hands-on system as far as braking smoothness.

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