For the most part, I really like my 2015 Mazda3 sedan. But...BIG BUT, I hate the thick windshield pillars.
The thick A-pillars hide entire minivans to the left and right at four way stop signs. They make it very difficult to maneuver through tight spots, and negotiate some road medians when turning left at certain intersections. They completely block out pedestrians that step off sidewalks or walkout from between other cars in parking lots. I guess they assume cars see them, but...
I consider myself a very cautious driver, and I still have occasional issues with these [censored] pillars. Now that I am aware of this concern, it is the first thing I look at when checking out a car.
I test drove, and/or sat in many cars and SUV's within the past year, and I noticed how other car pillars are even worse than my Mazda. I am exaggerating a little when I say that some vehicles felt like I was in a submarine, but in reality some cars do come with ridiculously/dangerously thick a-pillars.
I feel safer with thinner pillars. Subaru and Toyota had great a-pillars in the models I looked at. So, Toyota or Subaru will be my next car. Low belt lines, thin pillars, who would have thought outward visibility was as important as ABS, backup cameras, blind-spot monitors, parking assist, etc. Being able to see what's coming at you from ALL angles, priceless to me.
So, why cant car manufacturers put thin A-pillars in all their vehicles?
It seems that a thinner a-pillar design would be such an easy fix for manufacturers, and cost effective. Am I wrong?
The thick A-pillars hide entire minivans to the left and right at four way stop signs. They make it very difficult to maneuver through tight spots, and negotiate some road medians when turning left at certain intersections. They completely block out pedestrians that step off sidewalks or walkout from between other cars in parking lots. I guess they assume cars see them, but...
I consider myself a very cautious driver, and I still have occasional issues with these [censored] pillars. Now that I am aware of this concern, it is the first thing I look at when checking out a car.
I test drove, and/or sat in many cars and SUV's within the past year, and I noticed how other car pillars are even worse than my Mazda. I am exaggerating a little when I say that some vehicles felt like I was in a submarine, but in reality some cars do come with ridiculously/dangerously thick a-pillars.
I feel safer with thinner pillars. Subaru and Toyota had great a-pillars in the models I looked at. So, Toyota or Subaru will be my next car. Low belt lines, thin pillars, who would have thought outward visibility was as important as ABS, backup cameras, blind-spot monitors, parking assist, etc. Being able to see what's coming at you from ALL angles, priceless to me.
So, why cant car manufacturers put thin A-pillars in all their vehicles?
It seems that a thinner a-pillar design would be such an easy fix for manufacturers, and cost effective. Am I wrong?