A scenario aware perception system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes a traffic-scenario detector, an object-detection device, and a controller. The traffic-scenario detector is used to detect a present-scenario experienced by a host-vehicle. The object-detection device is used to detect an object proximate to the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the traffic-scenario detector and the object-detection device. The controller configured to determine a preferred-algorithm used to identify the object. The preferred-algorithm is determined based on the present-scenario.