Best and Worst Cars and SUVs for Visibility

Car shoppers are often drawn to a vehicle by its appearance, but the most important view is from the driver’s seat. Outward visibility plays a key role in safety, and it goes far beyond what drivers see through the windshield.

The view through the side and rear glass is important because it helps drivers maneuver safely, whether they’re changing lanes, merging onto a highway, or getting into a parking spot. That view has become ever more critical because recent car design trends have resulted in thicker roof pillars that are harder to see around. (Those design changes have been driven in part by tougher roof-crush standards in crash tests, improving aerodynamics, and even car style, with rear pillars and glass now increasingly sloped.)

The decreased visibility means drivers are having a harder time seeing not only other cars but also pedestrians, a particular concern in cities, parking lots, and near schools.

CR evaluates the visibility on every car, SUV, and truck we purchase and test. This is done with a jury approach, with several testers of different sizes and heights recording their impressions and assigning a score. The detailed findings are presented in our online road tests.