Starting this week, a new EU safety regulation requires all new cars to come equipped with speed limiters. Even though the UK government hasn't enforced the same rule, major car manufacturers are voluntarily integrating Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) into their latest models. This technology, designed to enhance road safety across Europe, uses advanced vehicle tech to monitor and enforce speed limits automatically.
ISA alerts drivers if they exceed speed limits and can even reduce engine power to ensure compliance. This is Money reached out to the top 32 car brands in the UK, representing nearly all new car sales, to confirm whether their models will feature ISA and clarify the process for deactivating it before each journey.
What is Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)?
Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) uses GPS, satellite navigation, and cameras to detect speed limits and monitor your vehicle's speed.
If you exceed the speed limit, ISA will alert you with visual cues on the dashboard, audible signals, or steering wheel vibrations. Manufacturers can use any mix of these alerts, and if ignored, ISA will reduce engine power to slow the vehicle back to the speed limit.
ISA doesn't use the brakes, only engine power reduction to control speed. Drivers can temporarily override ISA, such as when overtaking, by pressing the accelerator firmly. This briefly disables ISA, allowing the vehicle to exceed the speed limit before the system resumes its alerts.
Can you disable Intelligent Speed Assistance?
According to EU regulations like 'GSR2' or 'Regulation (EU) 2019/2144', ISA can indeed be deactivated, but not permanently.
The system is designed to activate automatically each time the engine starts, requiring drivers to manually switch it off before each trip.
The ease of deactivation varies by car brand. Below, mainstream manufacturers detail the steps to disable ISA in their vehicles.
Are UK new cars required to have Intelligent Speed Assistance?
Since July 6, 2022, ISA has been obligatory for all new cars entering showrooms in Europe, including Northern Ireland, but this regulation only applies to completely new models hitting the market.
From July 7, 2024, EU law mandates ISA retrofitting for all new vehicles sold across the continent, even extending to older models like Volkswagen's Touran, which has been on sale since 2015.
However, Britain operates under different rules. The Department for Transport clarified to This is Money that the UK does not currently plan to adopt these regulations: "The Intelligent Speed Assistance laws coming into effect in July apply to the EU and Northern Ireland only, not Great Britain."
Future changes could arise under new leadership, potentially altering this stance.
Experts caution that UK drivers are unlikely to evade ISA due to software similarities in EU and UK vehicle models. Thatcham Research explains, "Many vehicles sold in the UK will use EU specification software as manufacturers try to avoid the additional complexity of creating UK-specific variants, which increases the cost of bringing a vehicle to market."
Both the AA and the RAC anticipate widespread adoption of ISA in UK cars, noting that manufacturers are likely to include the technology despite it not being mandatory, as confirmed in our exclusive report.
A-Z: Which Car Brands Are Adding ISA to New UK Models?
This is Money reached out to the UK's top 32 car brands, covering nearly 99% of this year's new car market, to inquire about their plans to integrate ISA into new UK models this month. Additionally, they requested details on how to deactivate the system in their vehicles.
Here’s the response from the leading brands of 2024...
AUDI
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, confirmed that some models within its portfolio—including VW, Skoda, Seat, and Cupra—already feature ISA, with plans to standardise it across more models soon. The implementation will align with ongoing model updates as factories incorporate the necessary changes.
How to deactivate ISA: According to Audi, the process varies depending on the model. Generally, users will need to access the central infotainment menu to disable ISA each time they start the car.
BMW
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? According to a BMW spokesperson, ISA has been progressively introduced across the BMW vehicle lineup and will be standard in all models sold in the UK and Europe starting July 2024.
How to deactivate ISA: In current BMW models, drivers can disable ISA by pressing and holding the 'SET' button on the steering wheel for about two seconds, if equipped. Alternatively, the feature can be managed through the settings menu on the vehicle's central information display.
BYD
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? According to a spokesperson from the Chinese EV maker, ISA is standard in every BYD model, featuring an audible speed limit warning and a dashboard reminder.
How to deactivate ISA: ISA can be disabled through the settings menu in the vehicle’s infotainment system across all current models available in the UK.
CITROEN
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Citroen, part of the Stellantis Group, confirms that all models sold in the UK are not unique to the region but share technology with EU counterparts. Therefore, every new Citroen vehicle arriving from July 7 will come equipped with ISA.
How to deactivate ISA: Stellantis, encompassing brands like Vauxhall, Peugeot, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati, provides varied protocols for disabling the speed limiter technology across models. However, according to the spokesperson, every vehicle will offer options to deactivate ISA, typically through the infotainment system or dashboard buttons, depending on the specific model.
CUPRA
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Cupra, part of the Volkswagen Group, indicated that ISA is already present in some models across its brands such as VW, Audi, Skoda, and Seat. They further stated that ISA will gradually become standard across more models as they undergo updates at the factories.
How to deactivate ISA: According to the Volkswagen Group, ISA can be turned off, but the process varies by model. In most cases, users will need to access the central infotainment menu to deactivate ISA each time they start the car.
DACIA
Will UK cars have ISA from July 2024? A Dacia UK spokesperson confirmed that ISA is now standard on the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, and Jogger. It will also be included in the upcoming Dacia Spring EV and the 2024 Duster SUV.
How to deactivate ISA: Similar to parent company Renault, ISA in Dacia vehicles can be turned off using a 'My Safety' button. Owners need to set the system to turn off ISA each time the button is pressed, and they will have to press the My Safety button at the start of each journey.
FORD
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? A Ford spokesperson confirmed that all new cars will come with ISA installed starting this month.
How to deactivate ISA: Ford owners can turn off ISA by pressing the 'LIM' (limiter) button on the steering wheel for three seconds. This will need to be done each time the vehicle starts, as ISA is active by default.
FIAT
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Fiat, part of the Stellantis Group, confirms that all its models sold in the UK have the same technology as those in the EU. This means every new vehicle arriving from July 7 will come with ISA.
How to deactivate ISA: According to a Fiat spokesperson, ISA can be turned off using the infotainment system or the cluster menu behind the steering wheel.
HONDA
Will UK cars have ISA from July 2024? A Honda spokesperson confirmed that all new Honda cars sold in the UK already come with ISA.
How to deactivate ISA: While there isn't a dedicated button to turn off ISA in new Hondas, drivers can disable it through the infotainment system. The spokesperson noted that ISA defaults to 'On' each time the engine is started.
HYUNDAI
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? New Hyundais sold in the UK already come with ISA. A spokesperson for the brand said, "All Hyundai models have been equipped with ISA—or as we call it, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) or Intelligent Speed Limit Warning (ISLW)—since the end of last year."
How to deactivate ISA: Hyundai's latest cars have a 'favourite' button on the steering wheel that can be programmed for various functions. To deactivate ISLA/ISLW, drivers need to use this button to select the deactivation mode.
JAGUAR
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Jaguar's parent company, JLR, confirmed that all new vehicles will have ISA from July 7, 2024. "Although it is not required in Great Britain, JLR has decided to equip all new cars sold in the UK with ISA for consistency," a spokesperson said.
How to deactivate ISA: JLR stated that ISA can be "deactivated quickly and easily" using a dedicated button on the steering wheel, which toggles through three functionality levels. By default, ISA in JLR models only indicates the speed limit and warns if it’s exceeded. It does not actively reduce the vehicle's speed unless the driver chooses to link ISA to the speed limiter.
JEEP
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Jeep, part of the Stellantis Group, confirms that all its models sold in the UK will have ISA, just like their EU counterparts. This means every new Jeep arriving from July 7 will be equipped with ISA.
How to deactivate ISA: The process for turning off ISA varies across Stellantis brands, which include Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. However, a spokesperson assured that all vehicles will have the option to deactivate ISA either through the infotainment system or dashboard buttons, depending on the model.
KIA
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Kia confirmed that ISA will be introduced to UK cars starting from the model year 2025.
How to turn off ISA: According to a Kia spokesperson, ISA can be deactivated or muted through the infotainment screen under 'Driver Assistance Settings' in their models.
LAND ROVER
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Land Rover's parent company, JLR, announced it will install ISA in all new vehicles starting July 7, 2024. "Although not mandatory in Great Britain, JLR has decided to include ISA in all new cars sold in the UK for consistency," a spokesperson stated.
How to deactivate ISA: JLR explained that ISA can be quickly deactivated in all their new vehicles using a dedicated button on the steering wheel, which cycles through three levels of functionality. "By default, ISA in JLR models only alerts the driver to the speed limit and warns if it's exceeded. It does not actively reduce the vehicle's speed by default; the driver must choose to link ISA to the speed limiter if they desire this feature," the spokesperson clarified.
LEXUS
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? According to a spokesperson, all UK Lexus cars adhere to European specifications, necessitating ISA installation as standard from July 7, 2024. Additionally, Lexus confirmed that all models in their current range have already been equipped with ISA since March 2024.
How to deactivate ISA: Deactivation methods vary by model, Lexus noted. Owners should consult the specific vehicle specifications to determine how to turn off ISA in their cars.
MAZDA
Will UK cars have ISA from July 2024? Mazda confirmed that all new models introduced from July 7 will include ISA, with the caveat that older models already in showrooms may not be retrofitted in time for the UK market.
How to deactivate ISA: In the Mazda2, ISA can be turned off through the menu settings. For other new Mazda models, there's a 'i-ACTIVSENSE mute switch' located on the right side of the dashboard, which silences certain warning sounds, including ISA alerts. However, the system remains visually active, and the spokesperson emphasized that muting ISA alerts may not be recommended due to safety considerations involving other muted safety features.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? A spokesperson from Mercedes-Benz UK confirmed that all model types approved since July 2022 are already equipped with an ISA system. However, they did not explicitly state if every new model in showrooms from July 7 will have ISA. Instead, they emphasized: "Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd sells and distributes vehicles across all parts of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, adhering to the EU's GSR2 regulations applicable in these regions."
How to deactivate ISA: Mercedes-Benz provides several options to disable ISA alerts. Drivers can press and hold the mute button on the steering wheel, tap the speed icon in the central display's status line (visible except when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto), access the quick-access menu, or issue a voice control command.
MG MOTOR
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? A spokesperson from the Chinese-owned MG Motor confirmed that ISA will be installed in their new UK models starting from July 7.
How to deactivate ISA: According to MG, drivers can disable ISA before each journey by accessing the vehicle settings menu in the infotainment system.
MINI
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Mini UK has confirmed that ISA is already installed in all new models currently available in showrooms.
How to deactivate ISA: The process mirrors that of the parent company BMW. Drivers can press and hold the ‘SET’ button on their vehicle’s steering wheel for about two seconds to disable ISA. Alternatively, they can deactivate it through the settings menu on the central information display of the vehicle.
NISSAN
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? A spokesperson from Nissan confirmed that all new model year 2024 production cars are already equipped with ISA, ensuring compliance with the EU regulation effective from July 7.
How to deactivate ISA: According to Nissan, drivers can customize their preferences using a menu in the digital 'combimeter' screen. These settings must be activated each time the vehicle is started, which can be conveniently done via a shortcut button on the steering wheel.
PEUGEOT
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Peugeot, part of the Stellantis Group, ensures that all its models sold in the UK are equipped with the same technology as those across the EU. Therefore, every new vehicle arriving from July 7 will come with ISA installed.
How to deactivate ISA: Stellantis, encompassing various brands including Peugeot, Vauxhall, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati, offers flexibility in deactivating the speed limiter technology. According to a spokesperson, each vehicle will provide options to deactivate ISA, either through the infotainment system or buttons located on the dashboard, depending on the model.
POLESTAR
Will UK cars have ISA from July 2024? A spokesperson for the electric car maker confirmed that all new Polestar models will come equipped with ISA starting from July 7.
How to deactivate ISA: Deactivation methods vary by model. In the popular Polestar 2, drivers can access the ISA audible warning button on the steering wheel. For the new Polestar 4, this button is available on both the steering wheel and the infotainment centre display, where users can also set up a customized shortcut. In the just-launched Polestar 3, the ISA audible warning setting is found in the infotainment centre display, with a predefined shortcut available on the contextual bar when the vehicle is in gear.
PORSCHE
Will UK cars have ISA from July 2024? Porsche, though part of the Volkswagen Group, provided a distinct response to This is Money. It noted that its latest models such as the Cayenne, Taycan, and Panamera are equipped with a speed warning system, but clarified that they do not include speed-limiting functionality. No mention was made regarding their sports cars, including the iconic 911.
How to deactivate ISA: According to Porsche, owners can disable the audible and visual alerts through the touchscreen interface or using a programmable button on the steering wheel.
RENAULT
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? A spokesperson for the French automaker confirmed that ISA is already standard across all Renault vehicles in the UK.
How to deactivate ISA: Renault provides a configurable 'My Safety' button located to the right of the steering wheel. This button allows drivers to customize their preferences for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including turning off ISA. Upon starting the car, drivers simply press the button to activate their personalized settings.
SEAT
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Seat, part of the Volkswagen Group, indicated that some models within its range – including VW, Audi, Skoda, and Cupra – already feature ISA, while others will gradually adopt it as standard. The implementation will align with model updates, following adjustments in production.
How to deactivate ISA: Turning off ISA varies by model. Typically, Volkswagen Group advises users to deactivate it through the central infotainment menu each time they start the car.
SKODA
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Skoda, part of the Volkswagen Group, confirmed that some models across its brands – including VW, Audi, Cupra, and Seat – already have ISA, while others will adopt it as standard soon. The rollout will align with model updates as factories implement the changes.
How to deactivate ISA: The process varies by model. Typically, Volkswagen Group advises users to deactivate ISA through the central infotainment menu each time they start the car.
SUZUKI
Will UK cars have ISA from July 2024? Yes, starting with the new Swift launched in April. All new models after it will also have ISA. Suzuki plans to phase out most petrol models by 2025, and all replacements will include ISA.
How to turn off ISA: Drivers can deactivate ISA by navigating through the vehicle settings in the instrument cluster.
TESLA
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Tesla didn't respond to This is Money's request for information, but their website confirms that both Model 3 and Model Y come with ISA as standard. However, some features are currently disabled for UK models. For instance, ISA won't chime when you exceed the speed limit, but a warning sign will flash. We're waiting for Tesla's official response on whether these features will be fully enabled for new UK vehicles.
How to turn off ISA: According to Tesla's website, pressing the speed limit sign on the touchscreen mutes the speeding chime and display for the rest of the drive. However, it will automatically re-enable at the start of each drive cycle (every time the vehicle is in Park and you walk away).
TOYOTA
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Toyota confirmed that all UK vehicles are built to European specifications. Every model in their current lineup has complied with the EU's ISA mandate since June 2024, so speed limiters will be standard in all new vehicles.
How to turn off ISA: The method varies by model, but most of Toyota's core vehicle range have buttons on the steering wheel to disable ISA.
VAUXHALL
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Vauxhall, part of the Stellantis Group, confirmed that all new vehicles sold in the UK will have ISA from July 7. Since Vauxhall's models share the same technology as their EU counterparts, this change will be implemented uniformly.
How to turn off ISA: The process for turning off ISA varies by model, but it can generally be done through the infotainment system or buttons on the dashboard. This applies across the Stellantis Group, which includes brands like Citroen, Peugeot, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.
VOLKSWAGEN
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Volkswagen confirmed that some models across its brands, including Audi, Skoda, Cupra, and Seat, already have ISA. Others will start including it as standard with upcoming model updates.
How to turn off ISA: The deactivation process varies by model, but typically, drivers will need to turn it off via the central infotainment menu each time they start the car.
VOLVO
Will UK cars have ISA from July 7, 2024? Yes, all new UK Volvo models have had ISA since 2023.
How to turn off ISA: A Volvo spokesperson explained that deactivation depends on the model. For the EC40 (formerly C40), EX40 (formerly XC40 Recharge), XC40, XC60, and XC90, you can turn off ISA via a button on the steering wheel. For the EX30, you’ll need to use the central screen.
