Subaru’s driver assistance technology is finally available in South Africa, and we had the chance to sample this so-called “EyeSight” system in real-world traffic conditions, fitted to a pre-facelift version of the Levorg (read our driving impression of that vehicle here).
The tech features on the recently launched Impreza and upcoming XV, either as an option or as standard on flagship derivatives. And it comes with quite a reputation…
With the EyeSight option box ticked, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States awarded the 2017 Subaru Impreza a “superior” rating for front crash prevention after it earned the highest available score of six points. You can watch that IIHS crash-test video here.
So, what is EyeSight?
The system features stereo, colour-reading cameras that effectively act as a set of “eyes”. Actively scanning the road ahead, the system is capable of detecting certain possible hazards. Subaru claims that the system can detect obstructions such as vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists for up to 110 metres ahead.
In its current guise, EyeSight primarily acts as a warning system, alerting the driver to potential hazards. But it also has the capacity to override some of the vehicle’s key controls in the case of an emergency.
Indeed, the technology can operate the engine, brakes and transmission when necessary. This sort of intervention takes place only once EyeSight has detected and warned the driver of an imminent collision. If the driver has not reacted appropriately, Subaru says the system will apply the relevant collision avoidance manoeuvres.
The currently available version of EyeSight for South Africa comprises four distinct safety technologies:
Pre-collision braking: This acts initially as a warning to the driver that a forward collision is possible. When necessary, the vehicle will brake automatically as a means to reduce damage or prevent a collision.
Pre-collision throttle management: The tech is calibrated to reduce accidental forward movement, disengaging the throttle regardless of how far your right foot is depressed.
Adaptive cruise control: Maintaining the driver’s chosen speed and set following distance, the EyeSight system tracks the vehicle ahead and allows the car to either slow down or speed up depending on the relevant scenario.
Lane departure and sway warning with lane keep assist: The first alerts the driver if the vehicle is about to unintentionally leave a lane while the second forewarns the driver against drifting within the lane.
What’s it like on the road?
Once you learn to place your faith in Subaru’s engineers, the adaptive cruise control system is a boon on the open road and works hassle-free in slower-moving traffic situations, too. Smooth in its operation, the vehicle picks up speed progressively in relevant situations, while braking is well measured.
Interestingly, though, in heavy traffic situations, the system will disengage once the car brings itself to a complete stop. But with a flick of the “set” cruise control toggle, the vehicle will move forward again once safe.
On the move, the system alerts the driver by beeping once when the car ahead moves out of the lane. It will beep again, along with solid green light in the driver’s field of vision, to confirm that the vehicle has reached the set speed and following distance.
The lane departure and sway warning, meanwhile, does exactly what one would expect. A pair of orange lights in the driver’s line of sight as well as a series of beeps teamed with a relevant warning image displayed on the trip computer screen alerts the driver should he or she stray. We found that crossing heavily faded traffic lines went without the system’s detection.
Pre-collision braking is first and foremost a warning. Along with this, and dependent on the vehicle’s speed and following distance, the system will brake the car if it detects that a collision is likely. You’ll forgive us for not being tempted to test the pre-collision throttle management system.
EyeSight technology in SA also includes lead start alert, which informs the driver when the vehicle ahead has pulled away from a stop should the EyeSight vehicle remain stationary. In the case of the vehicle in front pulling away and then suddenly braking again, EyeSight will detect the sudden stop through the recognition of the brake lights of the vehicle ahead.
