Not all cars come with cruise control, and availability depends on the model year, trim level, and manufacturer
Cruise control is a standard feature on most new cars sold in the United States, but it is not universal. Older vehicles, budget-friendly models, and some specialty vehicles do not have it. Even when a car is equipped with cruise control, the type varies — traditional cruise control, adaptive cruise control (which adjusts speed based on traffic), and lane-keeping systems are all different features with different price tags.
Whether your car has cruise control comes down to three things: when it was made, which trim level you bought, and what the manufacturer decided to include. A 2024 Honda Civic EX will have it; a 2024 Honda Civic LX might not. A 2010 Toyota Camry probably has it; a 2005 one might not. A new economy car from a budget brand may skip it entirely to keep the price down.
Key Takeaways
- Most cars made after 2010 have cruise control as a standard or optional feature, but older vehicles and base-model trims often do not.
- Budget and economy cars are more likely to omit cruise control to reduce cost, even in recent model years.
- Adaptive cruise control, which slows the car automatically in traffic, is a separate and more expensive feature than traditional cruise control.
- The best way to know if your specific car has cruise control is to check the owner's manual or look for the stalk or button on the steering column.
- Aftermarket cruise control kits exist but are expensive and require professional installation, making them impractical for most owners.
When cruise control became common in cars
Cruise control appeared in American cars in the 1950s but did not become widespread until the 1980s and 1990s. By the early 2000s, it was standard on most mid-size and full-size sedans, trucks, and SUVs. Compact cars and economy vehicles were slower to adopt it.
If your car was made before 2000, cruise control is not may provide. If it was made between 2000 and 2010, it depends on the brand and trim level. If it was made after 2010, most vehicles have it, but budget models and base trims still sometimes omit it. Japanese manufacturers like Toyota and Honda added it earlier and more consistently than American brands.
Which car types are least likely to have cruise control
Economy cars and compact vehicles are the most likely to lack cruise control, especially in base trims. Manufacturers remove it to hit a lower price point. Brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan have historically offered cruise control only on higher trims, though this has changed in recent years.
Specialty vehicles also skip it. Sports cars sometimes omit cruise control because drivers are expected to be engaged with the road. Older pickup trucks, especially used models from the 1990s and early 2000s, often do not have it. Vehicles designed for off-road use or extreme conditions may also leave it out.
Manual transmission cars are less likely to have cruise control than automatics, because the system is harder to integrate with a clutch pedal. If you drive a manual, check your specific model before assuming it has the feature.
How to check if your car has cruise control
The fastest way is to look at the steering column. Cruise control is operated by a stalk or set of buttons on the left or right side of the steering wheel, usually below the turn signal. If you see buttons labeled with symbols like a speedometer or a plus and minus sign, your car has cruise control. If the steering column is bare, it does not.
Your owner's manual will list cruise control under the index or in the driving features section. If you do not have the manual, search the vehicle's year, make, and model online plus "owner's manual PDF" — most manufacturers post them free. You can also check the window sticker from when the car was new, which lists every feature by trim level.
If you are buying a used car, ask the seller directly and test it before you buy. Turn the car on, locate the stalk or buttons, and try to set a speed. If nothing happens, the feature is either not present or broken.
The difference between cruise control and adaptive cruise control
Traditional cruise control holds a set speed until you press the brake or cancel it. You set it to 65 mph, and it stays at 65 mph no matter what — even if traffic slows down in front of you. You have to brake manually.
Adaptive cruise control (sometimes called ACC or dynamic cruise control) uses radar or cameras to detect the car ahead and automatically slows your car to maintain a safe distance. When traffic speeds up again, it accelerates back to your set speed. This is a much more expensive feature and is usually found only on mid-range and luxury vehicles.
Many newer cars also combine adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping information, which gently steers the car to stay in its lane. This is a separate system and costs more. Do not assume a car has adaptive cruise control just because it has traditional cruise control — they are different features at different price points.
Can you add cruise control to a car that does not have it
Aftermarket cruise control kits exist, but they are expensive and require professional installation. A basic kit costs $300 to $500 in parts alone, plus $200 to $400 in labor. The system must be wired into the engine control module, throttle cable, and brake system — work that only a may have access to mechanic should do.
For most owners, adding cruise control is not worth the cost. If you need cruise control and your car does not have it, it is usually cheaper to trade the car in and buy one that does. The exception is if you own a valuable or rare vehicle and want to keep it long-term — in that case, the investment might make sense.
What to look for when buying a car with cruise control
If cruise control matters to you, check the window sticker and owner's manual before you buy. Do not assume it is included just because the car is new or expensive. Some luxury brands include it as standard; others make it an optional add-on.
Test it in person. Set a steady speed on a quiet road and confirm the system holds it smoothly. If you are interested in adaptive cruise control, test that too — some systems are jerky or overly sensitive to brake lights ahead, and you want to know before you commit.
If you are buying used, ask the seller whether cruise control works and test it yourself. A broken cruise control system can be expensive to repair because it involves the engine computer and brake system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all new cars have cruise control?
No. Most new cars have it, but budget models and base trims sometimes omit it to reduce cost. Check the window sticker or owner's manual for your specific trim level before you buy.
What year did cruise control become standard?
Cruise control became common in the 1980s and 1990s, but it was not truly standard across all vehicles until the 2010s. Cars made before 2000 are unlikely to have it unless they are higher-end models.
Is adaptive cruise control the same as regular cruise control?
No. Adaptive cruise control uses radar or cameras to slow the car automatically when traffic ahead slows down. Regular cruise control just holds a set speed and requires you to brake manually. Adaptive is more expensive and is usually found only on mid-range and luxury vehicles.
Can I add cruise control to my car if it does not have it?
Yes, but it is expensive — usually $500 to $900 total for parts and professional installation. For most owners, it is cheaper to buy a car that already has cruise control than to add it afterward.
How do I know if my car has cruise control?
Look for a stalk or buttons on the steering column below the turn signal. If you see controls labeled with cruise symbols, your car has it. You can also check the owner's manual or the original window sticker.