[gaelian]

My car absolutely uses the break when required to maintain the set cruise control speed, I've watched it happen. The car I owned before my current car didn't use the break to keep to the set cruise control speed though, so I get why you may think there is no break involved. It largely seems to depend on make and cost of the car you're driving.

[sandos]

Our Passat uses brakes for cruise control, our older Kia Ceed did not. I actually hate when it uses the brake. The non-brake method is much better imo. Feels like such a waste to heat the brakes on a steep incline instead of just rolling with it.

[carlmr]

I'd have said age and which assistance systems there are. In many older cars there's just no path for the CC to control the brakes.

[gaelian]

Yeah true. Seems like the more feature complete assistance systems are making their way down to even some of the more low-end brands these days. Level 1 autonomy is getting pretty old hat now I guess.