Back in January, we blogged about the small size of the Ford Edge's rear window and the difficulty of seeing out of it, especially if the rear seat's center headrest is in the raised position. Related to that is the Edge's poor outward rear three-quarter view and subsequent blind spot.
Now, I'm a firm believer in proper mirror positioning. Done right, there's no need for a full head check before changing lanes in any normal car. However, drivers who like to do head checks before changing lanes might find it more of a challenge in the Ford Edge. In addition to its small rear window, the Edge has thick C- and D-pillars and a high beltline.
I don't intend to single out the Ford Edge; there are plenty of new vehicles today with similar problems. But to get a sense of what visibility used to be like, drive an older car with a big greenhouse. A few years ago, I went to visit my parents and drove their geriatric 1987 Nissan Maxima around. After an endless stream of modern vehicles at Edmunds, the Maxima's panoramic outward view was totally refreshing. Thin pillars and boxy styling won't fly in today's world, but in this sense the advance of automobile has definitively taken a step backwards.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor, Edmunds.com
rsholland says:
02:05 PM, 04/23/07
Unfortunately tiny rear-quarter windows (and the resulting lousy rear visibility) are found on way too many vehicles today.
What ever happened to Dr. Porsche's edict that "Form follows Function?"
bbechtel16 says:
02:16 PM, 04/23/07
Out the freakin' window that's what. Blame America.
4classabconly says:
06:27 PM, 04/23/07
Thick pillars, though i'm not positive, may be a sign of increased structural integrity and, at least for the A pillars, a place to put airbags
210delray says:
07:50 PM, 04/23/07
Thicker A-pillars can't be blamed on curtain airbags. These emerge from the roof rail, with at most only a thin tether connecting them to the A-pillar. The inflators are cylindrical, and fit inside the C-pillars. The ones I've seen are only about 2 inches in diameter.
I'm not even sure structural integrity concerns are increasing pillar size, raising beltlines, and decreasing window size. I think it's mainly just a style thing.
SubyTrojan says:
08:12 PM, 04/23/07
210delray, head curtain airbag module placement varies depending on the manufacturer. BMW, for example, uses more than a thin tether connecting the airbag module to the A-pillar.
2007 E90 335i parts diagram
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=VB73&mospid=49550&btnr=72_0552&hg=72&fg=03
2006 E90 325i with the head curtain airbag fully deployed photos from IIHS:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/controls/image.ashx?rh=622&id=3
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/controls/image.ashx?rh=622&id=2
billt9 says:
01:38 AM, 04/25/07
I want to see a comparison shot of the Murano D pillar.