One thing I like about driving bigger SUVs (and I do like SUVs) is that they have large outer mirrors. Newer cars, like some recent BMWs we've had through here, have tiny outer mirrors due to aero and, more importantly, styling considerations.
Most carmakers realize that on big SUVs you need big mirrors for lane-changing and backing up, and that functionality is priortized over styling given the size of these vehicles.
But this isn't the case on our long-term 2012 Ford Explorer XLT EcoBoost. It has disappointingly small outer mirrors. They would be fine if they were on a regular sedan, but not on this thing.
I guess Ford thought large mirrors weren't necessary if their SUV was equipped with a great blind spot detection system and backup camera, like our test car.
What do you think? Do you want big mirrors on your SUV/truck, even if it has driver assist systems like blind spot detection system and backup camera?
Albert Austria, Senior VE Engineer @ 9,550 miles
7driver says:
11:48 AM, 02/ 8/12
Big mirrors are handy for towing. I guess Ford realized that this rig is mainly for mall duty.
esoterica says:
12:21 PM, 02/ 8/12
It's time for the DOT to set guidelines for using cameras instead of outside rear-view mirrors. These things are literally a huge drag, and cameras would have a multitude of other advantages.
legacygt says:
12:22 PM, 02/ 8/12
These look big enough for me. Sure bigger is bigger but I've found that if you move your head an inch or two to the left or right you can basically see anything you'd need to, even with small mirrors.
half_ton says:
12:52 PM, 02/ 8/12
Electro-nannies can NEVER replace mirriors in my book. I have a back up camera in my car and while it is useful I still use my mirriors more.
nelsonlu says:
02:09 PM, 02/ 8/12
Why would you need a large mirror if you have BLIS?
threemopars says:
02:38 PM, 02/ 8/12
"Why would you need a large mirror if you have BLIS?"
Not all Explorers come with BLIS.
explorerx4 says:
03:37 PM, 02/ 8/12
"Not all Explorers come with BLIS."
If you don't have BLIS, a wide angle mirror is built into the outside top part of each side view mirror.
I haven't really gotten comfortable with the wide angle mirrors, since my other vehicles don't have them.
firstwagon says:
04:35 PM, 02/ 8/12
"It's time for the DOT to set guidelines for using cameras instead of outside rear-view mirrors. These things are literally a huge drag, and cameras would have a multitude of other advantages."
The whole Explorer is a huge drag. If you let the government ban rearview mirrors then they would have to ban using SUV styling on wagons as well.
threemopars says:
06:42 PM, 02/ 8/12
"If you don't have BLIS, a wide angle mirror is built into the outside top part of each side view mirror."
And that's how the BLIS units should be as well honestly.
BTW 2013 models just started rolling down the line on Monday.
And to Edmunds: what ever happened to the wind noise that was coming from the A pillar?
explorerx4 says:
07:08 PM, 02/ 8/12
In one post, "Not all Explorers come with BLIS".
Next post regarding the built in wide angle mirrors, "And that's how the BLIS units should be as well honestly.".
Guess at next post: "Don't drive an Explorer if there are any other vehicles on the road.
It really needs 'look down' plus 'side scan' radar, plus infrared and magnetic anomaly detection."
bimmerjay says:
09:16 AM, 02/ 9/12
"It's time for the DOT to set guidelines for using cameras instead of outside rear-view mirrors. These things are literally a huge drag, and cameras would have a multitude of other advantages."
+1
This would be awesome to replace rearview mirrors with cameras, and yes there are many advantages - like optimal image placement and the ability to vary the view more widely than a mirror. You also eliminate glare from mirrors while reducing one of the biggest sources of wind noise and aerodynamic drag.
The only disad I see is what happens when they fail in 15+ years and people don't fix them. At least with fixed mirrors a LEO can see if one is missing/broken and cite the motorist, with cameras only it's not so easy to enforce.
greenpony says:
12:29 PM, 02/ 9/12
"The only disad I see is what happens when they fail in 15+ years and people don't fix them."
Some states have mandatory inspections that could easily be adapted to cover the function of rearview cameras. Then the only other significant hurdle you'd need to overcome is what to do about the states that don't.
dmclone1 says:
01:28 PM, 02/10/12
How about doing a story on how mirrors should be set. I'd be willing to bet at least 95% of the population has them set up wrong.
Here is a little hint. If you can see the side of your car, you're doing it wrong.