Subaru is leaping forward in driver-assistance technology with its Highway Hands Free Assist feature, launching in the redesigned 2026 Outback SUV. As part of the brand's updated EyeSight driver-assistance technology suite, this new feature places Subaru in direct competition with similar systems from Ford, General Motors (GM), Tesla, and Hyundai, offering greater convenience, safety, and confidence for drivers as they navigate the nation’s highways.
Having debuted at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, the 2026 Subaru Outback will come standard with the newest version of Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) package. This enhanced system includes features designed to improve safety and driver awareness, such as forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency stop assistance, and active front cross-traffic warning.
Subaru has incorporated a trio of forward-facing cameras and newly added radar sensors to boost its capabilities. According to Subaru, these components help detect potential hazards with greater precision, and a new, wider-angle mono camera improves the system's ability to identify pedestrians and cyclists sooner than before. The 2026 Outback also includes a vibrating haptic steering wheel that provides real-time feedback in conjunction with lane-departure or other warnings.
Subaru's Highway Hands Free Assist is the headline feature of the upgraded EyeSight system, marking the first time the automaker has offered hands-free driving capability that's considered true Level 2 autonomous driving. On select trim levels, the system enables hands-free operation at speeds up to 85 mph on designated highways, though it still requires driver attention and supervision.
Several innovations support the feature:
Subaru's new Highway Hands Free Assist system puts the 2026 Outback in the same league as Ford's BlueCruise, GM's Super Cruise, Tesla's Autopilot, and Hyundai Motor's Highway Driving Assist. Like those systems, Subaru's offering is designed to ease driver fatigue during long-distance travel while strongly emphasizing safety and driver engagement.
With the addition of Highway Hands Free Assist, Subaru is stepping into the future of Level 2 autonomous driving. The enhanced EyeSight ADAS suite, improved sensor technology, and innovative safety interventions make the 2026 Outback a technologically advanced and driver-friendly contender. Whether cruising down the interstate on a road trip or navigating long daily highway commutes, Subaru drivers can expect a more relaxed and secure driving experience.
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Jessica Shea Choksey is an experienced writer in the automotive field. In addition to JDPower.com, she was a correspondent for PBS's MotorWeek, and her work has appeared on Autotrader.
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