Just a few years ago, no one would have any idea what you were talking about if you mentioned blind spot monitoring — a function that alerts drivers of the presence of a vehicle out of their line of sight using visual, audible, tactile, or a combination of these warnings. Nowadays, everything from a Ford Focus to more upscale products such as the Lexus RX 350 make use of the handy safety technology. Below we feature a trio of 2016 offerings that implement BSM (remember to always shoulder check and not rely solely on computer assistance).
2016 Ford Focus
Ford calls its version of BSM the Blind Spot Information System, or BLIS for short, available on the 2016 Focus. Two multiple-beam radars installed in the rear quarter panels detect when other vehicles enters the blind areas, within a range of about 15 feet, and triggers a light to appear in the side mirror glass closest to the subject.
For the 2016 model year, the hatchback received the domestic manufacturer’s lauded SYNC 3 infotainment system utilizing enhanced voice recognition and smartphone-like pinch-to-zoom gestures on an eight-inch LCD touchscreen display. Also new was the introduction of a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine mated to a lightweight six-speed “SelectShift” automatic transmission. The pair of innovations translated into a 14 percent fuel economy improvement over the standard 1.6-liter variant.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Completely redesigned for 2016, the Chevrolet Malibu can be equipped with Side Blind Zone Alert. Similar to the Focus, left and right short-range radars in the rear corners of the sedan monitor moving cars up to 3.5 feet behind the wing mirrors, one lane over. When one is found, an amber icon illuminates in the mirror glass, and will flash if the turn signal is activated to further indicate the action is unwise. Side Blind Zone Alert is always on when the transmission is in a forward gear unless turned off in the settings menu.
Another handy option is Chevy’s Safety Alert Seat, compatible with supplementary safety tech like forward collision alert. When an impending accident is predicted, small motors inside the seat bolsters vibrate to quickly and effectively warn the driver.
2016 Lexus RX 350
Sitting high in a big crossover can make spotting what’s next to you particularly tricky, which is why BSM is particularly useful on the RX 350. Working in much the same way as the other two examples mentioned, Lexus’ setup is paired with rear cross-traffic alert. When backing out of a parking space, the same sensors used by BSM pick up any vehicles from either side travelling between five and 18 mph. In addition to flashing a light in the appropriate mirror, a warning tone is sounded.
Two years ago, Toyota’s luxury arm launched the Lexus Safety System+ on the RX line, a suite of electronic driver aids including pedestrian detection, lane keep assist and lane departure alert with steering assist, intelligent high-beam headlamps, and all-speed dynamic radar cruise control.
