Rear Pillars: Hatchback vs. Sedan

[kmil123]

We took the CVT hatchback out for a long test drive yesterday. It was very good. I know the sedan is not out yet, however I'm concerned about the size of the rear pillars in the hatchback. Although I have not measured them they appear to be (from the inside) about 1 1/2 feet across. That's just from "eyeballing" them. I feel that the measuement is almost right on the money. This presents a real BLINDSPOT!

Does anyone have a rough idea of what the rear pillars might measure across......from the inside? Just judging by photos of the side angle shots of the hatchback and sedan, it seems to me that the new upcoming sedan's pillar may be narrower. I sure hope so. I'll try and call Nissan and see if they might have an answer. Meanwhile, any views you might have on this situation would be appreciated. Thanks for your time and attention!

[Ever Victorious]

The pillars likely will be narrower (although that's not a guarantee... See also 2nd generation Neon, with pillars large enough to hide a Suburban in).

I have never found visibility to be a problem in the Versa. The rear mirror is sized so that it shows the whole width of the viewable rear window, no more (a larger mirror would be pointless).

My side mirrors are adjusted so that the inner 1/8" of each mirror shows the paint of my car. This brings the view of the lane behind so far inward that I actually have slight overlaps between each side mirror and the rearview mirror (a car behind me I can see in my rearview and at least one side mirror). This eliminates the blind spots caused by the rear pillars.

Since I *ALWAYS* head-check when changing lanes, and the visibility out the sides is very good, I have no problems.

Now if only Ford pickup drivers would pay this much attention to things..

[kmil123]

Thanks for the reply. I tried to "edit" my post to add one more concern but was "told" I'm not authorized to edit my OWN post. I'm sure there is a reason so please let me know why.

What I wanted to add was that when I look at a photo of the REAR of the Sedan straight on, it appears that there is more "window" in the sedan and that the area you can actually see out of/into seems larger?

[Ever Victorious]

I'm not seeing any reason you shouldn't be able to edit your own posts... I'll let a super mod know that you're having difficulty and see what they have to say.

[kmil123]

Thanks for the reply. I tried to "edit" my post to add one more concern but was "told" I'm not authorized to edit my OWN post. I'm sure there is a reason so please let me know why.

What I wanted to add was that when I look at a photo of the REAR of the Sedan straight on, it appears that there is more "window" in the sedan and that the area you can actually see out of/into seems larger?

BTW, you stated in your first sentence that the pillars appeared to be narrower. I assume your referring to the probability of the Sedan having narrower pillars right? Hopefully that will be the case in the new Sedan. Also, my wife REALLY liked the Versa.......and so did I. Now if I can just find a buyer for my 2002 Jaguar X-Type (only 25,000 miles on it) I can put in an order for the Versa, probably the Sedan, especiallly if the rear pillars are narrower.

[kmil123]

EverViscious...........Sorry for the accidental double post!

[kmil123]

Whoops!!! another mistake "EverViscious" is actually EVER VICTORIOUS.......once again.....mea culpa! Sorry bout dat.

[Ever Victorious]

Whoops!!! another mistake "EverViscious" is actually EVER VICTORIOUS.......once again.....mea culpa! Sorry bout dat.

It's too early to be drinkin! S'okay.

Are you hitting the edit button up at the top of the page next to the post header, or the edit button on your actual post in the thread?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I can't think of a current Nissan model that doesn't have huge rear pillars. The Versa sedan is no exception. It doesn't have the extra liftgate section of the pillar, where it looks like there should be glass, so it's thinner width-wise, but lengthwise it's still pretty large. The benefit is a more square doorframe and more entry/egress headroom, but of course you have that nice blindspot.





Granted, those are Tiida Latio photos, but the Versa is identical.

[OKVersa]

I traded in a GMC Jimmy for the Versa hatch. I haven't found a bit of difference in backing up. I take my time and ease out. Of course, backing up in diagonal parking when there is an Expedition on your right is more challenging in a Versa than a Jimmy, but oh well.

I have a lot more difficulties, in all my cars, of the front pillar blind spots, than the rear. In shopping areas and malls, I have always pulled through the spot so I don't have to back up anyway. Yeah, that's me annoying you

[rwanttaja]

I have never found visibility to be a problem in the Versa. The rear mirror is sized so that it shows the whole width of the viewable rear window, no more (a larger mirror would be pointless).

My side mirrors are adjusted so that the inner 1/8" of each mirror shows the paint of my car. This brings the view of the lane behind so far inward that I actually have slight overlaps between each side mirror and the rearview mirror (a car behind me I can see in my rearview and at least one side mirror). This eliminates the blind spots caused by the rear pillars.

Not quite. Mirrors don't help when you're backing out of a spot in a parking lot. You need to see down the row to make sure you're not backing out right in front of somebody, but the rear pillar is right where you want to look.

The Versa is especially bad where there's diagonal parking, like downtown Kent WA. You've got diagonal parking on a two-lane street with a 25 MPH speed limit, and you have to roll ~2 feet of the back end out into the street before you can see if someone's coming. The one thing in the Hatchback's favor is that there really isn't much car sticking out behind the rear window....

The blind spot is one of the two or three things I'd fix, if I were working for Nissan.

Ron

[kmil123]

I should have been hitting "edit" on MY own post........and as you said, not the one on the top.

[Wyld Bill]

I noticed the same problem on the Suzuki SX4 I test drove the other day. I couldn't remember if the Versa was the same or not,...I guess it is. I don't understand in this day & age why they would all be building themthat way. Heck a 1994 Ford Escort hatch back wouldn't even have that problem.

[Ever Victorious]

I should have been hitting "edit" on MY own post........and as you said, not the one on the top.

OK... I'll let them know... that SHOULD be the correct way to do it.

rwanttaja - My "range" for work is Auburn to Bellingham, and I have to park in all kinds of situations... parallel, angle-in, garages, etc. Never had a visibility problem.

Even if you have a car parked next to you, in MOST cases you can look through your side windows, through THEIR windows, and see any traffic coming well before it's on you. The exceptions are Hummers/Expeditions (too tall) and uber-tinted ricers (you know, the kids that think that tint laws don't apply to THEM?).

I don't run into the problem with SUV's too often because I so easily fit in compact/subcompact spots that I'm usually not anywhere near them. Concrete support pillars in underground garages SHOULD simulate for me the kinds of problems you have, but again, I have yet to encounter any visibility problems whatsoever in the Versa.

[motoguy128]

Just adjust your sideview mirrors correctly. Your rearview mirro is a convenince, but should not be relied upon. Motorcycles and most commercial vechicels don't have them.

[kmil123]

Modified by kmil123 at 2:37 PM 11/20/2006

[Wyld Bill]

A

Just adjust your sideview mirrors correctly. Your rearview mirro is a convenince, but should not be relied upon. Motorcycles and most commercial vechicels don't have them.

blind spot is just that,..a blind spot. Your mirrors won't even help. You turn around to see the blind spot area in most vehicles but in these new hatchbacks even when you turn around you still have a blind spot. I drive a full size work van with no rear windows in the city every day no problem but for some reason driving these cars bothers me. Especially when backing up & passing.

[Althalus]

IMO there is no such thing as a blind spot, if you drive correctly, and look over your shoulder like you're supposed to when turning, you should never have a problem.

[MinisterofDOOM]

IMO there is no such thing as a blind spot, if you drive correctly, and look over your shoulder like you're supposed to when turning, you should never have a problem.

It would be nice if that was the case, but unfortunately, some cars just aren't designed in a way that promotes good visibility. Here's an example of what I see when I look over my shoulders to check blindspots ('04 Maxima--my father's, not mine--but a good example of my point here):

(click both for larger versions)



Even the pictures don't quite do justice. You can hide a big car in those triangles. The problem is worsened by the narrow rear window and the high beltline.

So like I said, some cars simply have blindspots, whether you're a safe driver or not. I definitely agree that people should make themselves aware of the traffic around them and that a safe driver is the best solution to blindspots, but sometimes you just can't avoid them.

[100 Watt Walrus]

New here. Hi all.

The only trouble I've had with the rear pillars has been backing out of diagonal street parking spots. Those pillars are EXACTLY where oncoming cars would be seen. I i-n-c-h out of those spots.

Otherwise, between 1) aligning my mirrors so no car leaves the view of one mirror without passing into the view of another or into my own peripheral vision, and 2) always double-checking over my shoulders, I've found these pillars to be no problem.

[Wyld Bill]

Well said guys. If I get one of these I'll just drive like a Grandpa. I'll just start backing out of a parking spot not bothering to look back & let the people going by look out for me LOL!!

[Ever Victorious]

New here. Hi all.

The only trouble I've had with the rear pillars has been backing out of diagonal street parking spots. Those pillars are EXACTLY where oncoming cars would be seen. I i-n-c-h out of those spots.

Otherwise, between 1) aligning my mirrors so no car leaves the view of one mirror without passing into the view of another or into my own peripheral vision, and 2) always double-checking over my shoulders, I've found these pillars to be no problem.

By the way, welcome!