Which has larger blind spots, SUVs or sedans?
4 Answers
SUVs have larger front blind spots compared to sedans, but smaller rear blind spots. Here are some expanded details: 1. Front of the vehicle: SUV models are taller than sedans, so the window line and hood of an SUV are also higher. If you connect and extend the SUV driver's line of sight with the hood, you'll find this line is longer than that of a sedan. If low obstacles appear in front of both a sedan and an SUV, the sedan driver would spot them more easily while the SUV driver might have more difficulty noticing them. 2. Rear of the vehicle: Due to their taller body, SUVs actually have smaller blind spots in some aspects - the rear blind spot is smaller than that of sedans. The rear windshield of SUVs is basically vertical in shape and has a larger surface area than sedans. Additionally, SUVs don't have the "third compartment" that sedans have, so rear visibility is significantly better in SUVs compared to sedans.
I've been driving for over a decade, having driven various SUVs and sedans, so I can talk about blind spot issues. Due to their taller bodies and wider roofs, SUVs typically have thicker A-pillars (the pillars beside the windshield), which creates larger blind spots on the front sides. Especially when turning, there's a higher chance I might miss seeing pedestrians, which is quite dangerous. Sedans, with their lower bodies, give a feeling of being closer to the ground, offering relatively smaller blind spots, and the rearview mirrors provide better visibility around. However, SUVs have higher seats, which might improve rear blind spots—for example, you can see farther when reversing. Personally, I prefer using SUVs for long trips, but the larger blind spots require extra attention, like turning my head more to check or installing a blind spot monitoring camera for assistance. Overall, SUVs do have bigger blind spots, so new drivers should practice more when handling them.
As a father of two, I usually drive an SUV to take my kids to school, and I've noticed that the blind spots are significantly larger compared to a sedan. The SUV's body is wider, and the front is both tall and broad, often creating blind spots on the sides when changing lanes, making it hard to see bicycles or electric scooters behind me, which is quite concerning for safety. Our old sedan had much smaller blind spots and offered a more open view, especially when turning at intersections—my kids in the back said they could see much better. I think the SUV's larger blind spots are mainly due to design issues, with higher seating positions and more obstructed body contours. For safety, I've installed a blind spot monitoring system, which has been quite helpful. Sedans are more suitable for city driving with better blind spot control, but SUVs offer more space and practicality. After weighing the pros and cons, I've decided to drive even more carefully.
From a vehicle design perspective, SUVs generally have larger blind spots compared to sedans. The increased body height results in thicker A-pillars and C-pillars, which obstruct more side visibility. During testing, I noticed that SUVs often fail to see curbs or small children when parking. The higher seating position also creates larger rear blind spots, with limited coverage from side mirrors. Sedans, with their lower seating position and sleeker roofline, have smaller blind spots—for example, rearview mirrors can detect approaching vehicles earlier. Of course, these are general observations, and specific models vary significantly. Some premium SUVs, for instance, feature wide-angle cameras to reduce blind spots. Overall experience tells me SUVs have larger blind zones, but drivers adapt with familiarity.
