From the driver's seat:
Was visibility better or worse than you expected?
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor @ 8,342 miles
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throwback says:
01:40 PM, 01/17/12
About what I expected. Huge A pillars are the norm on every car these days. Rode in my uncles '85 Merc and was amazed at how much glass area there was.
dscain says:
02:25 PM, 01/17/12
It's about what I expected, but I sure don't like it. I hate the current design trend toward bigger pillars and higher beltlines. We had an '12 Impala for a rental during December, and I was amazed at how much easier it was to see out of it than it is in my wife's '11 Malibu. I'm supposed to feel safer because I'm surrounded by more metal, but I don't feel safer when I can't see what's around me.
ed124c says:
02:27 PM, 01/17/12
I get rid of the rear seat head rests because I rarely have people back there. That really gives me an almost 360 degree view.
frank908 says:
06:08 AM, 01/18/12
Ugh, I feel claustrophobic just looking at the video, and the interior's crude-oil color scheme isn't helping.
I can't breath.
eperris says:
11:53 AM, 01/18/12
Man, I cannot wait for designers to start lowering the belt line of cars again. When will these idiot designers realize that visibility counts. In a few years the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus and Hyundai Veloster are going to look as dated as bell bottoms and chrome bumpers.
barresa62 says:
12:43 PM, 01/18/12
I've sat in the new Explorer in both the charcoal (as in video) and the medium stone interiors. They both did not feel claustrophobic any more or less so than any CUV out there. The quality of the interior is very impressive. The only other medium priced interior as nicely done IMO is the Grand Cherokee.
I've noticed how popular it seems to be to rag on the new Explorer. It's really quite interesting since it outsells every CUV in its class per the 2011 YE sales figures at over 135K sold. Not bad for a brand new design...must be a lot of unsatisfied customers....NOT.
S.
explorerx4 says:
03:19 PM, 01/18/12
The Chrysler 300 started this trend.
brn says:
04:20 PM, 01/18/12
eperris, the problem isn't the designers. The problem is the crash tests. As NHTSA and IIHS continue expand their crash tests, the beltline will continue to rise.
explorerx4, The 300 was one of early popular ones, but I don't blame Chrysler. On the 300, it gave the vehicle a retro / ZZ Top feel. It was kind of the theme Mopar was going for at the time. The others are doing it more for the reasons I mention above.