Visual and audio prompts will alert drivers to imminent automatic lane changes.
Ford's BlueCruise semi-autonomous driver's assistance system has been updated with a new Automatic Lane Change function, allowing vehicles to overtake slower-moving vehicles without any driver input.
The new feature has been introduced to BlueCruise 1.5. It functions only when BlueCruise is engaged and will only perform a single lane change if it detects a clear adjacent lane. Drivers will be alerted to an imminent lane change by a visual and audio prompt and told if the system is making a lane change to overtake a slower vehicle or to leave a passing lane.
Read: 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Gets New Styling Package And $3,500 Price Cut
The system works completely hands-free but can be canceled by tapping the turn signal in the opposite direction or by holding the steering wheel in place.
Ford first introduced BlueCruise hands-free highway driving on the Mustang Mach-E and the updated BlueCruise 1.5 system is premiering on the 2025 Mustang Mach-E. The carmaker estimates that the BlueCruise 1.5 will automate up to 45% of lane changes when activated. It has been designed to try to avoid merging with traffic moving much faster and can also avoid changing into the right-hand lane where there are off-ramps and inconsistent lane markings.
According to Ford, 77% of trips taken in the US using the BlueCruise system took less than 20 minutes, while for owners taking highway trips longer than an hour, the system was used more than 50% of the time. Ford says using the system makes "highway drive time easier and more enjoyable." A slew of other models will be updated with BlueCruise 1.5, but Ford has yet to announce which models these will be and when they will get the new and improved system.
Several other updates have been made to the 2025 Mustang Mach-E. For example, there's a new heat pump, the availability of a Sport Appearance Package, and a new Ford Connectivity Package that includes a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and in-vehicle apps, including karaoke and YouTube.