Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce a new chapter in assisted driving in the United States. The automaker announced that MB Drive Assist Pro, its most advanced driver-assistance system to date, will launch stateside later this year—bringing supervised autonomous driving to city streets for the first time under the Mercedes badge.
The system allows a vehicle to drive itself from a parking spot to a destination, navigating urban intersections, making turns, and responding to traffic lights, all while the driver remains responsible and ready to intervene. The announcement was made during Consumer Electronics Show 2026 in Las Vegas.
A Direct Challenge to Tesla
In the US market, MB Drive Assist Pro places Mercedes-Benz in direct competition with Tesla, which currently stands alone in offering a consumer-facing city-driving autonomy product through its Full Self-Driving (FSD) package.
Tesla’s FSD allows vehicles to navigate city environments under driver supervision, and while its rollout has been gradual and controversial, it has set expectations among US consumers. Mercedes’ entry signals that legacy automakers are now ready to contest Tesla’s early lead—not just on highways, but in complex urban settings.
Proven Abroad, New to the US
MB Drive Assist Pro is not entirely new. Mercedes has been selling the system in China since late 2025, where it has been positioned as a premium driver-assistance feature for dense, highly structured urban traffic. The US rollout adapts that same core capability to American roads, regulations, and driving behavior.
Unlike fully autonomous “robotaxi” systems, MB Drive Assist Pro remains a Level 2+ solution. Drivers must keep their attention on the road and be prepared to take control at any time. Mercedes has emphasized that the system is designed to assist, not replace, the human driver.
Pricing Strategy Targets the Premium Segment
Mercedes-Benz said MB Drive Assist Pro will cost $3,950 for a three-year term in the United States. Customers will also have the option to choose monthly or annual subscription plans, though pricing details for those options have not yet been disclosed.
By comparison, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving currently costs around $8,000 as a one-time purchase or $99 per month via subscription. Mercedes’ pricing undercuts Tesla on an upfront basis, while reinforcing its strategy of positioning advanced autonomy as a premium, optional upgrade rather than a default feature.
What MB Drive Assist Pro Can Do
According to Mercedes, the system can handle:
- City-street navigation under driver supervision
- Turns at intersections and lane selection
- Compliance with traffic lights and road signs
- Driving from parking areas to set destinations
The company has not yet disclosed which US models will receive MB Drive Assist Pro first, though it is expected to debut on higher-end vehicles equipped with Mercedes’ latest sensor suite and compute platform.
A Broader Shift in the Autonomy Race
Mercedes’ move reflects a broader industry pivot. As fully driverless deployment remains constrained by regulation and cost, automakers are increasingly focusing on incremental autonomy—systems that deliver tangible everyday value without claiming full self-driving capability.
By bringing MB Drive Assist Pro to the US, Mercedes signals confidence that consumers are ready for more advanced automation beyond highway cruising, and that regulators are increasingly comfortable with supervised city autonomy.
For drivers, the result is more choice. For Tesla, it means competition has finally arrived on its home turf. And for the wider auto industry, it marks another step toward normalizing autonomous features as part of the premium driving experience—not a futuristic add-on, but a near-term expectation.
