Operating Highway Driving Assist (HDA) on Hyundai IONIQ 5

4 min read

Ioniq 5 highway driver assist

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 Highway Driving Assist (HDA) is a driver-assistance system. It helps you control your car’s speed and lane position on the highways by combining Smart Cruise Control and Lane Follow Assist.

If equipped, HDA may also help with lane changes. The Highway Driving Assist isn’t a self-driving program. Treating it as such could be fatal.

You’ll still need to keep your hands on the wheel and stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Be ready to intervene if something goes wrong or an emergency happens ahead. The system won’t slam the brakes on or steer out of the way.

Operating Highway Driving Assist (HDA) on Hyundai IONIQ 5

This article explains what the Hyundai IONIQ 5 HDA system is and how to turn it on. It also includes a detailed list of warnings and risks (although this isn’t exhaustive).

As always, it’s vital to read your owner’s manual. Never operate Highway Driving Assist without it! This article is a guide only. All the information is correct at the time of writing.

Turning Highway Drive Assist on

hyundai ioniq 5 view steering while driving
Source: YouTube (Wisely Automotive)

Activate the system by following these instructions:

  1. Go to your IONIQ 5’s Settings.
  2. Choose Driver Assistance.
  3. Tap Driver Convenience.
  4. Check the box next to HDA (Highway Driving Assist).
  5. If applicable, also check the box next to Lane change assist (highway).

When you’re driving on a suitable road and meet all the conditions (found in your owner’s manual), you should:

  1. Press the Driver Assist button.
    • HDA should come on.
  2. Highway Driving Assist might automatically come on if Smart Cruise Control and Lane Follow Assist (LFA) are operating on the main road of a highway.
  3. Check the HDA indicator on your display is green.
    • Gray means standby.
    • White and blinking means the accelerator is being pressed.
    • You’ll also see more information, such as your set speed, whether there’s a vehicle ahead, and if the system can detect the lane edges.

Pausing IONIQ 5 Highway Driving Assist

Operating Highway Driving Assist on
Source: YouTube (Wisely Automotive)

You can temporarily override Highway Assist at any time by:

  • Steering
  • Braking
  • Accelerating

Turning IONIQ 5 HDA off

driver seat view on hyundai ioniq 5
Source: YouTube (Wisely Automotive)

You can turn Highway Driving Assist off by:

  1. Pressing the Driver Assist button.

Alternatively, you could deactivate the setting entirely. Do this by:

  1. Go to the car’s Settings.
  2. Choose Driver Assistance.
  3. Select Driver Convenience.
  4. Uncheck the boxes next to HAD (Highway Driving Assist) and Lane change assist (highway).

Learn more about the many features of Highway Driving Assist (including Lane change assist, Driving to one side within lane, and more) by consulting your owner’s manual. It’s so important to know all the system limitations, too.

Using the IONIQ 5 Highway Driving Assist safely

Before operating the IONIQ 5 Highway Driving Assist, you must read your owner’s manual. It isn’t a self-driving system.

It only works on highways – multi-lane roads where vehicles can maintain a steady speed without interruption. HDA won’t work on side streets, intersections, on- and off-ramps, etc. Don’t attempt to use it.

Highway Driving Assist comes with the following warnings, system limitations, and cautions. Note that this list is non-exhaustive. You’ll find a complete list in your owner’s manual.

  • If the HDA warning isn’t green, the system isn’t actively monitoring your speed.
  • The system won’t drive for you. Your hands must stay on the wheel at all times. If you don’t, the IONIQ 5 Highway Driving Assist will warn you multiple times before turning off and reducing your speed.
  • Highway Driving Assist might not work correctly on roads with pedestrians, animals, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc. Ensure you don’t cause any damage, injuries, or fatalities.
  • Always stay aware and be ready to brake, accelerate, or steer to avoid danger.
  • Highway Driving Assist won’t work near toll gates or at the end of a highway without an intersection or junction.
  • It won’t work on off-ramps or on-ramps, in cities, or on single-lane country roads.
  • Temporary or narrow lanes are incompatible with Highway Driving Assist.
  • Roads with bends or curves will impede the system and might make it turn off. The same applies to hills and valleys.
  • If there’s a problem in your targeted lane change (when lane-change assist is active), HDA will deactivate. For example, the lane might end, not exist, or there could be a potential accident ahead.
  • Highway Driving Assist turns off if the Forward-Collision or Blind-Spot warnings pop up and sound.
  • Lanes must be clearly marked to national standards.
  • The road must be registered, and HDA must be permitted to operate on it. The asphalt must also be in good condition.
  • Sharp steering, turning on the hazard warning lights, or operating the turn signal at specific times overrides HDA.
  • The feature may make mistakes if the navigation system hasn’t been updated to match the road or the GPS signal is weak. Stay aware!
  • Don’t use the system while towing.
  • HDA doesn’t limit the speed according to the road’s speed limit. You’re responsible for checking these yourself.
  • The system could malfunction if the infotainment system’s processor is overloaded with things like navigation, media playing, etc.
  • Problems with the sensors or turn signal lamps will cause it to turn off.
  • Poor driving conditions may make driving with Highway Driving Assist dangerous. The system may not realize this and could attempt to operate in a perilous situation.
  • Pay attention to warning messages and never attempt to use the system if any are displayed. The two to watch out for are:
    • Check Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system; and
    • Check Lane Change Assist function.
  • In your IONIQ 5, Highway Driving Assist will turn off when:
    • You turn it off in the settings (see below).
    • When entering a road with no central structure to divide the traffic.
    • When driving at below 35 mph.
    • At rest areas, junctions, toll gates, and intersections.
    • If an intersection or crosswalk is detected in front of the vehicle.
    • When a pedestrian is located ahead.
    • If the road becomes one-way.
    • When the front-view camera can no longer detect the lane.
    • If you take your hands off the wheel for a prolonged period.

In short, always stay aware! Be aware of all system limitations before using this feature. Reading your owner’s manual is always essential. When operating a system as risky as Highway Driving Assist, it’s critical.

Never operate Highway Driving Assist without reading your owner’s manual! You’ll find a copy of it below.

owners manual

FAQs

What is Hyundai Highway Driving Assist (HDA)?

Hyundai Highway Driving Assist (HDA) is a driver-assistance system designed to help control your vehicle’s speed and lane position on the highway, combining Smart Cruise Control and Lane Follow Assist. It’s important to note that HDA is not a self-driving system, and the driver must remain in control.

How does Hyundai Highway Driving Assist work?

HDA combines Smart Cruise Control to manage speed and Lane Follow Assist to assist with lane keeping on highways. Sensors and cameras monitor the surroundings. The driver must stay engaged with hands on the wheel and constant awareness.

How do I turn on HDA?

To activate HDA, access your vehicle’s settings, select “Driver Assistance,” choose “Driver Convenience,” and check the boxes for “HDA” and “Lane change assist (highway)” if applicable. Press the Driver Assist button to activate it when the conditions are met on a suitable road.

What is the difference between Lane Keep Assist and Highway Assist?

Lane Keep Assist (LKA) helps keep your vehicle within its lane at lower speeds on various roads. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) is specifically for highway driving, managing both speed and lane keeping on multi-lane highways. HDA requires constant driver engagement.


By Ben Kitchen Ben is a qualified car mechanic with experience working in the industry. He now works as an automotive author, writing about all things vehicle-related. He’s excited about the potential held by electric cars of all shapes, sizes, and types.

Ben Kitchen Ben is a qualified car mechanic with experience working in the industry. He now works as an automotive author, writing about all things vehicle-related. He’s excited about the potential held by electric cars of all shapes, sizes, and types.

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