BMW Driving Assistance Pack (Everything You Need To Know!)

The BMW Driving Assistance Package includes a variety of advanced features designed to keep you safe while driving. Like The Convenience, Executive and other BMW packs, it’s unclear which models have this as standard or what is included in the package.

The Driving Assistant Pack is designed to provide additional safety features and include some of BMWs latest tech. That includes the highway assistant feature, the latest automated driving system from BMW. In the current BMW range you have two different packs, the Plus and the Professional. We’ll cover both of these below.

I get asked about the driving assistance pack all the time from people looking to buy a BMW. Like many manufacturers recently, BMW likes to use some confusing and vague descriptions on their optional extras. So before you tick the box, let’s run through the driving assistant package and how much it costs.

Before diving in, if you’re interested in finding out more about the best BMW packages, click here.

---

The Driving Assistance Packs Explained

Across the current BMW range, there are two driving assistance packs. The most common version, and the more expensive option, is the Professional Package. This is available on almost every model, apart from a few of the entry-level models.

The other pack available is the Driving Assistance Plus. This has fewer features, and as a result, it’s a less expensive model. For most drivers, you’ll want the Professional option, but the Plus pack is still a great addition to your BMW.

---

What’s included in the BMW Driving Assistance Professional Pack?

The current Driving Assistance Pro package includes a range of features. These depend on the BMW model, and we’ve covered the differences in this section below. Below the list of BMW models, we’ve explained some of the key features in more detail, too.

Most SUV and electric models only include the ‘Professional Package’. This version of the Driving Assistant pack costs extra, but you get more advanced safety features. Over time, we expect this will be the standard option on every BMW model.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

What’s included in the BMW Driving Assistance Plus Pack?

Alongside the more expensive Professional Package, BMW also offers a different type of Driving Assistance Pack on their less expensive models. This pack still includes a few important features, but you do miss out on the most advanced options. The Plus pack is available on the following BMW models:

---

---

---

---

BMW Driving Assistance Features Explained

Now we’ve covered the features included with each BMW model, what exactly do you get with each of these options? Like every manufacturer, BMW uses marketing terms for most of their features, so it’s not easy to understand what you get with ‘Active Driving Assistant’ or ‘Highway Assistant’.

In the next section I’ll break down these features, and let you know what you’re getting if you decide to add the Driving Assistance Packs.

---

Active Driving Assistant Pro

The Active Driving Assistant Pro feature is technically a collection of driving aids, all designed to keep you safe. These include Lane Keeping, Evasion Aid and Emergency Stop Assistant, so it’s like a mini pack on its own. A few of these features are also listed as individual options, which feels like a way for BMW to ‘pad out’ their options list.

---

Forward-Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection

The Forward Collision Warning system scans the road ahead to check for any obstacles. This feature was upgraded recently by BMW to include a pedestrian detection system. The Collision Warning system is combined with the following feature, Automatic Braking.

---

Low-Speed Automatic Emergency Braking

The Automatic Emergency Braking system reacts to any obstacle or pedestrian identified by the Forward Collision Warning. If the system thinks you are about to hit something, it automatically slows the car before impact. This feature only works at low speeds and won’t function on the highway. You still need to be aware of all times as the driver too.

---

Lane-Departure Warning

The Lane Departure system works by identifying lane markings on the highway and freeway. You’ll get high-speed alerts if the car drifts out of a lane. It might sound a little basic, but I’ve heard from drivers who have been saved from collisions by this feature when they have been tired or distracted. 

---

Blind-Spot Warning

The Blind Sport Warning system works similarly to Lane Departure. If you have a vehicle approaching your blind spot or you are changing lanes and can’t see a nearby vehicle, the system can alert you to avoid a collision. It’s more helpful on some BMW models with poor visibility, but it’s a benefit for every model.

---

Active Cruise Control

Active cruise control works by managing your speed and adapting to conditions to brake and accelerate when needed. For example, your BMW will keep a safe distance from any objects or vehicles in front and change speed accordingly. Also, if you come to a traffic light or junction, the car will stop and then safely accelerate up to the requested speed when safe.

---

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning

The Rear Cross-Traffic Warning system is ‘BMW speak’ for a perpendicular obstacle check. That means anything that’s approaching from the sides will generate an alert. It’s very similar to the Blind Spot and Forward Collision systems, although it’s the most useful when you’re reversing out of a parking space and can’t see what’s approaching.

---

Highway Assistant

The highway assistant feature is reserved for high-spec models only, such as the 7 Series and XM. Essentially, this is BMWs automated driving feature, allowing you to take your hands off the wheel and feet off the pedals, and the vehicle will perform the driving and steering. The system will keep a safe distance from anything in front, and you can ‘ask’ the BMW to change lanes by moving the indicator.

---

FAQs

Is The Driving Assistant Package Worth It?

We’ve looked at the features behind the Driver Assistant Package and the cost. So is the pack worth it?

In my opinion, it’s an excellent package to have. The technology has come a long way in the last couple of years, and although I’m not a fan of the Lane Departure Warning, the package overall is good value for money.

With recent advances in active cruise control and highway assistant, the ‘self-driving’ future looks strong for BMW. With other manufacturers racing to get their own tech released, we’d expect BMW to focus on these features in the next generation of vehicles.

---

If you liked this post and want to find out more about BMW, check out the links below: