Do all new cars have automatic braking?

No—automatic emergency braking (AEB) is not on every brand-new car everywhere. As of 2025, it is mandatory on all new cars in the European Union and Japan, increasingly common in Australia and the UK due to new rules, and present on the vast majority of new U.S. vehicles through industry commitments—but a U.S. federal mandate making it universal will not fully take effect until the late 2020s. The landscape varies by market, vehicle class, and production date, so “all new cars” depends on where you buy and whether you mean newly designed models or any newly built vehicle.

What “automatic braking” actually means

Most people use the term to refer to Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), a driver-assistance feature that detects an imminent collision and automatically applies the brakes to avoid or mitigate a crash. It is distinct from features like adaptive cruise control (which maintains distance in traffic) or parking auto-brake (low-speed obstacle braking). Regulations typically require AEB to recognize vehicles and, increasingly, pedestrians (and sometimes cyclists) in both daylight and low light.

Where AEB is mandatory—and where it isn’t yet

The list below outlines how key markets treat AEB on new passenger cars, highlighting where it is already mandatory versus where it’s being phased in or largely adopted voluntarily.

• European Union: Mandatory for new car types since 2022 and for all new cars sold since July 2024 under the General Safety Regulation (GSR2), including pedestrian-detecting AEB aligned with UN R152.
• Japan: Mandatory for new passenger car models since late 2021, with broader implementation across newly produced cars following thereafter; similar requirements apply to many commercial vehicles.
• United Kingdom: Post-Brexit regulations have moved to align with EU-style advanced safety features, including AEB, for new types from 2024 with staged application to all new registrations thereafter. As a result, most new UK cars now include AEB.
• Australia: The government has mandated AEB for light vehicles, with a phase-in starting for new models in 2025 and extending to all new vehicles later in the decade; many vehicles already fit AEB due to ANCAP ratings pressure.
• United States: AEB is widespread due to a voluntary 2016 pledge by major automakers, but not universal. A federal rule finalized by NHTSA in April 2024 will require AEB with pedestrian detection nationwide on new passenger cars and light trucks, with compliance phased in toward the end of the decade.
• Canada: Regulators have proposed aligning with U.S. AEB requirements; many new models already include AEB, but a universal mandate is still being finalized and phased in.
• Other markets: Many countries adopt UN vehicle regulations (UNECE) that effectively make AEB standard on new models, but enforcement timelines vary.

In short, AEB is already standard on new cars across much of Europe and Asia and rapidly becoming universal elsewhere, but the exact “all new cars” cutoff still depends on national rollout schedules.

United States: what’s on cars now and what’s coming

Most new U.S. light vehicles include AEB today because major automakers met a voluntary target to equip the vast majority of their production by the early 2020s. However, some niche, low-volume, or late-run trims can lack it. To close the gap, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule in April 2024 that will require AEB—and pedestrian AEB that works in low light—on all new passenger cars and light trucks. The rule sets minimum performance criteria and phases in through the late 2020s, with full compliance required by the end of the decade. A separate mandate for heavy vehicles (large trucks and buses) is on a slower track and was still in rulemaking as of 2025.

Mind the terminology: new models vs. all new registrations

Regulators often stage safety tech in two steps: first, for “newly approved models” (new types), and later for “all new vehicles registered,” including ongoing models. In the EU and Japan, both steps are complete for AEB in passenger cars. In countries still phasing in, a brand-new vehicle might be exempt if it’s an older design still in production—hence why “all new cars” can be a moving target until the final compliance date arrives.

Do budget cars include AEB?

Increasingly, yes. In markets with mandates or strong consumer-safety ratings (EU, Japan, Australia), even entry-level trims typically include AEB as standard. In the U.S. and Canada, most mainstream budget models also include AEB, but isolated base trims or fleet-focused variants may omit it until mandates make it universal.

How to confirm whether a specific car has AEB

If you want to verify equipment on a car you’re buying—or already own—the steps below are the most reliable ways to check.

• Window sticker/Monroney label: Look for “Automatic Emergency Braking,” “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist,” “Pre-Collision System,” or similar phrasing.
• Owner’s manual or infotainment settings: AEB often appears under driver-assistance/safety menus, sometimes with pedestrian/cyclist options.
• VIN lookup: Dealer parts portals and some manufacturer sites list safety equipment tied to the vehicle identification number.
• Independent ratings: IIHS (U.S.), Euro NCAP (EU), and ANCAP (Australia) publish whether AEB is standard and how it performs in tests.
• Ask the dealer to demonstrate: A short, controlled demo can confirm the feature is present and configurable.

Because names differ across brands, checking multiple sources ensures you don’t miss an equivalent feature with a different marketing term.

Limitations and misconceptions

AEB is designed for emergencies and last-resort braking—it’s not a substitute for attentive driving. Performance can vary with speed, weather, lighting, road markings, and sensor occlusion (ice, dirt, or a blocked camera/radar). Some systems allow temporary deactivation, but they typically default back on at the next ignition cycle per regulatory intent.

What this means if you’re shopping

If you’re in the EU, Japan, or a market that has already mandated AEB across all new registrations, you can assume any new passenger car will have it. In the U.S. and Canada, most new cars already include AEB today, and it will become mandatory across the board later this decade. If you’re buying a low-volume model, a commercial variant, or an older design still on sale, verify the spec sheet to be sure.

Summary

Not all new cars worldwide have automatic emergency braking yet—but in many regions, they do. The EU and Japan require AEB on all new cars; Australia and the UK are in active rollout; and the U.S. has finalized a nationwide mandate that completes later this decade. For buyers, the safest approach is to assume most new cars have AEB but confirm the feature on the specific trim and market you’re considering.

Which car has an automatic braking system?

Top 5 Cars with Antilock Braking System

Model	Price in New Delhi
Tata Nexon	Rs. 8 – 15.60 Lakh*
Maruti Swift	Rs. 6.49 – 9.64 Lakh*
Tata Punch	Rs. 6 – 10.32 Lakh*
Mahindra XUV700	Rs. 14.49 – 25.14 Lakh*

Do all new cars have auto braking?

Most new vehicles are equipped with AEB, but earlier this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) requiring automakers to include AEB in their vehicles by 2029.

Can you turn off automatic braking?

Yes, you can usually turn off or adjust the automatic braking system in your vehicle by accessing its settings menu on the infotainment display or via a physical button on the dashboard. However, the ability to turn it off and whether it stays off after restarting the engine varies by make and model. For specific instructions, you should consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual, as it will provide the exact steps for your vehicle’s system. 
Common Ways to Turn Off Automatic Braking

• Via the Infotainment System: Navigate to the vehicle’s settings or safety menu on the display screen to find the driver-assist or collision avoidance features and turn off the automatic braking. 
• Using a Dedicated Button: Some vehicles have a physical button, such as a traction control button or a Parking Assist switch, that you can press to disable the automatic braking feature. 
• Adjusting Settings: Some systems allow you to adjust the sensitivity or timing of the braking rather than turning it off completely. 

Important Considerations

• Vehicle-Specific Instructions: Always refer to your owner’s manual for precise instructions on how to disable or adjust the system for your specific car. 
• Temporary vs. Permanent: In some cars, the feature will stay off until you restart the engine, while in others, it may remain off permanently until you manually re-enable it. 
• Dirty Sensors: A dirty windshield or camera lens in front of the system can cause it to activate unexpectedly, so check that area first if the system is oversensitive. 

By checking your owner’s manual, you can determine the exact method for your vehicle to disable the automatic braking system, if you choose to do so.

When did automatic braking become standard?

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) was made a standard feature on all new U.S. passenger cars and light trucks by April 2029 following a final rule from the NHTSA in April 2024. While many automakers had already committed to making AEB standard by 2022 through a voluntary pledge, the new federal regulation formalizes the requirement, ensuring nearly all light vehicles will include AEB with pedestrian detection.
 
Key Milestones for AEB Standardization

• 2016: The NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) secured a voluntary commitment from 20 automakers to make AEB standard on most new cars and light trucks by September 2022. 
• 2022: The voluntary deadline for making AEB standard on light-duty vehicles (under 8,500 lbs.) was met by the majority of major automakers. 
• 2023: The NHTSA proposed a new rule to mandate AEB, with a target compliance date of 2028 or 2029. 
• April 2024: The NHTSA finalized the rule, requiring AEB and pedestrian detection to be standard on all new passenger cars and light trucks by April 2029. 
• April 2029: The full mandate for AEB to be standard on all new vehicles takes effect.