What do you think of the A-Pillar blocking view?

#1

 

#2. I've had a few surprises, and must lean forward to see around some tight switchbacks.

 

#1. Like fuzzy, I've also had to lean to see around some tight turns, but generally I think I'm reasonably aware of what's going on behind it without looking. I even had to look out the passenger window - a full 90 degrees to the right - to see around one turn! It was a weird sight to see the road ahead out that window.

 

It bothers me a lot. The blind spots are one of the drawbacks of the car.

 

I almost hit a guy when I was turning left. I got within 2 feet of him. I didn't see him until he jumped out. It looked like bugs Bunny jumped out of a tree.

 

#2. Generally I'm okay, but I've had 3 close calls that I can remember specifically.

All three instances involve me making a left turn and I didn't see a car coming from the right side.

1) Making a left at a 4 way stop. Didn't notice any cars on the right side. Turns out there was a police car that stopped before me and I almost cut him off. Luckily my mother was in the passenger side and actually had to warn me to stop.

2) Making a left turn from mall parking lot onto street. Seriously nearly hit the car coming from the right. Again, I was lucky. VERY lucky this time. Because I accelerated slowly, I caught a glimpse of the car just as I was halfway through the road and quickly braked.

3) Actually happened this past weekend. Was about to make a left turn onto the road and slammed on the brakes when I noticed the SUV coming on the right side.

Although I luckily haven't crashed into any of them, I have already made a serious mental note that my next car absolutely must have better visibility.

I'm sure if you're lucky and haven't had any close calls, you wouldn't think twice about it. That is, until it unexpectedly happens. Unfortunately, I haven't made the adjustment to lean forward and actively look after 7 years of driving.

Edit: Since I drive a Gen II I don't know jack sh* about the tiny side windows in the Gen III, but I can tell you that the ones on the Gen II are completely useless for the issue for which I am describing in this post.

 

The big A pillar is a tax for passenger's security (the strong car body crash resistance). The A pillar plays the very important role at the front deformation zone.

 

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." - Marx

Karl or Groucho?

 

I've had problems with A pillar blockage since minute #1 driving my car out of the dealer. The first couple weeks was a learning experience, and like many others here, had/have to physically move my head around when making left turns or checking for objects on the left front and right. Now, after 2 years, it is what it is and I'd guess it's second nature now.

Not the best design safety-wise. No doubt the engineers used high strength steel in the pillars, but needs the added beefiness to support the roof structure in case of rollover - the windshield angle on the Prius and many new car designs is so pronounced...

 

My wife (5'4") tends to ride with her visor straight down. That blocks my (5'11") view far more than the pillars do.

But, yes, now that you mention it, I'll pick #2, a little bit bothersome.

 

No problem here.

 

Another Gen II owner weighing in- I too have learned to lean around the pillar, with over 130K miles between an '04 and an '06. Worst for me is a road leaving my neighborhood that has a gentle curve to the left, with a street on the right forming a t intersection halfway through. If an oncoming car is making a left in front of me onto the sidestreet in that curved section of the street, I can lose it entirely, blocked by the A pillar. My Lexus has large A pillars too, but I think it is more noticeable in the Prius due to the angle and size of the windshield. Bottom line is that it is another defensive driving technique (leaning around the pillar) to be learned, hopefully the easy rather than hard way.

 

#2.

Like many things Prius, it bothers me a little but it's not a deal breaker.
It is what it is.

 

#1 for both me and my better half.

My take on this is that persons that are not as tall as us may have a problem if their eyes are at or just above the level of the A-pillar.

Also if you lay on your back while driving you might encounter difficulties in viewing past the A-pillar.:fear:

 

1) Not a problem for me.
(Though I have been one of the loudest people on this forum about the bad visibility to the rear of the Prius.)

I wonder if it is a height thing--I'm pretty tall, about 6' 1".

I wonder if this pillar is more of a problem for short people.
Would those of you, especially but not exclusively those who answered 2 or 3, be willing to reveal your height?
Thanks

 

x

 

^^ #2, 6' 1"

 

I agree that there is an issue of blocked visibility regarding the A pillar. Every driver of our Prius has, at one time or another, bumped a curb on a sharp right hand turn because of loosing sight of the curb so early during the turn. This visibility issue is much more apparent if you are an infrequent driver of the Prius, and routinely drive a different car with better forward-looking visibility.