April 2008
Best and worst rear blind zones
This chart shows the length of the blind zone of each listed vehicle. The distance noted is how far behind the vehicle a 28-inch
traffic cone had to be before the person, sitting in the driver's seat, could see its top by looking through the rear window.
Distances are provided for vehicles that are currently sold with no major changes from tested vehicle. Does not include vehicles with standard cameras. Plus, watch a video on how we test blind zones.
Distances are provided for vehicles that are currently sold with no major changes from tested vehicle. Does not include vehicles with standard cameras. Plus, watch a video on how we test blind zones.
| Best and worst rear blind zones | ||
|---|---|---|
| SMALL SEDANS | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2007 Hyundai Elantra; 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt (10 feet) | 2004 Suzuki Forenza S (16 feet) |
| Worst | 2004 Suzuki Forenza S (13 feet) | 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt (24 feet) |
| Average small sedan (feet) | 12 | 23 |
| MIDSIZED SEDANS | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 (8 feet) | 2004 Acura TSX (12 feet) |
| Worst | 2005 Cadillac STS, 2005 Mitsubishi Galant GTS (21 feet) | 2006 Mercury Milan base (35 feet) |
| Average midsized sedan (feet) | 13 | 22 |
| LARGE SEDANS | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2004 Kia Amanti (10 feet) | 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas (19 feet) |
| Worst | 2004 Audi A8L (20 feet) | 2006 Cadillac DTS (30 feet) |
| Average large sedan (feet) | 12 | 22 |
| WAGONS & HATCHBACKS | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2004 Chevrolet Aveo, 2007 Mini Cooper S (5 feet) | 2004 Chevrolet Aveo, 2007 Toyota Yaris, 2006 Mazda3s, 2007 Mazdaspeed3 (10 feet) |
| Worst | 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T (15 feet) | 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT (22 feet) |
| Average wagon and hatchback (feet) | 9 | 15 |
| SMALL SUVS - FOUR DOOR | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (8 ft) | 2008 Ford Escape XLT (17 ft) |
| Worst | 2007 Suzuki XL7 (25 ft) | 2007 Suzuki XL7 (46 ft) |
| Average Small SUV (feet) | 14 | 22 |
| MIDSIZED SUVS | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2004 Volkswagen Touareg (11 feet) | 2005 Nissan Pathfinder LE, 2007 Mazda CX-7 (18 feet) |
| Worst | 2006 Jeep Commander Limited (44 feet) | 2006 Jeep Commander Limited (69 feet) |
| Average Midsized SUV (feet) | 18 | 28 |
| LARGE SUVS | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe (17 feet) | 2004 Dodge Durango Limited, 2004 Nissan Armada LE (24 feet) |
| Worst | 2007 Lincoln Navigator (25 feet) | 2007 Lincoln Navigator (39 feet) |
| Average large SUV (feet) | 19 | 31 |
| MINIVANS | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2005 Toyota Sienna XLE, 2008 Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town and Country (13 feet) | 2008 Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town and Country (22 feet) |
| Worst | 2007 Chevrolet Uplander (19 feet) | 2007 Chevrolet Uplander (29 feet) |
| Average minivan (feet) | 15 | 26 |
| PICKUPS | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2005 Nissan Frontier LE (16 feet) | 2005 Dodge Dakota SLT, 2005 Toyota Tacoma (24 feet) |
| Worst | 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LTZ, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche (31 feet) | 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche (50 feet) |
| Average truck (feet) | 24 | 35 |
| COUPES | ||
| Driver 5' 8" | Driver 5' 1" | |
| Best | 2006 Porsche 911 (6 ft) | 2006 Porsche 911 (12 ft) |
| Worst | 2004 Chrysler Crossfire (18 feet) | 2006 Dodge Viper (29 feet) |
| Average two-door coupe (feet) | 14 | 21 |
