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.
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.
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.
