Ford is putting serious play into non human driving. The BlueCruise system, which lets drivers go hands-off on over 95% of UK motorways, will hit four new models in spring 2026: the Puma, Puma Gen-E, Kuga, and Ranger PHEV. That means thousands more Brits will soon pilot their cars with their hands off the wheel, eyes on the road and nerves hopefully intact.
BlueCruise is “hands-off, eyes-on” driving, a Level 2+ autonomous assist system legally approved for UK roads. Using radar, cameras, and smart mapping, it handles steering, acceleration, braking, and lane centering, shifting the mundane grind of motorway miles into a stress-melting cruise.
Launched in 2023 on the Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s software honchos revealed this move as a commitment to democratize cutting-edge tech. “We’re making hands-free highway driving accessible to more drivers across Europe,” said Torsten Wey, Ford Europe’s software boss.
The catch? It’s limited to “Blue Zones” carefully mapped motorway stretches covering 95% of UK motorways so far ensuring safety by restricting hands-free use to well-monitored roads. Oh, and you’ll need to splash for the Driver Assistance Pack and cough up a subscription fee already around £17.99 a month on Mustang-E—just to stay in BlueCruise’s club.
It’s a bold step for mass-market semi-autonomy. Forget hold-your-hands systems elsewhere where taking your hands off triggers warnings, BlueCruise lets you let go assuming your eyes stay glued on the road ahead. The driver remains the boss, but now with a high-tech co-pilot who’s weary of traffic jams and loves long motorway stretches.
For the likes of the Puma, Kuga, and Ranger, this means your next motorway slog could feel more like a taxi ride. Just remember: it’s hands off, eyes on. No snoozing or scrolling.
Ready to let your car do the heavy lifting on the motorway?
Ford’s gamble banks on people wanting freedom from fatigue without fully handing over control. Whether drivers embrace it or fight it, one thing’s sure: the future is speeding toward more intelligent, capable cars and Ford’s BlueCruise is shifting lanes to lead the charge.
