It does seem odd that blind spot detection isn't part of Eyesight. I know Hyundai has it on their cars.

 

I was a bit shocked that it wasn't included. I traded a Chevy Trax ( one step above the base model ) that included several features standard. ( heated seats, heated leather wrapped steering wheel, heated outdoor mirrors, adaptive cruise control, WIFI, blind spot detection, front and rear alert sensors, Weather Tech " style" floor mats ) l I love the Crosstrek, but I am disappointed at what is not standard in the Premium. It makes me ask why?

 

Below is SOA's current Crosstrek models and pricing. Pay more, get more.

Blind spot monitoring was included in '24 Xtrek Sports.

 

In Canada it's the Convenience/Base, Touring/Premium, Onyx/Sport, Limited and Limited Hybrid and no Wilderness for 2026 because of Tariffs. In Canada all Crosstreks are made in Japan.

 

In Canada it's the Convenience/Base, Touring/Premium, Onyx/Sport, Limited and Limited Hybrid and no Wilderness for 2026 because of Tariffs. In Canada all Crosstreks are made in Japan.

Thank You.

 

Or, just turn your head... smh
I swear, why can't people drive without things beeping at them to tell them "hey hey you're being stupid and going to crash if you continue!!!" anymore?

 

Trouble is, as belt lines get higher and higher due to ridiculously large rims, visibility around the vehicle becomes more impared. All these warnings are a solution to a problem we created in the last 20 years.

 

Indeed, one of the things I like about Subarus is that overall they suffer less from the "pants up to the ribcage" effect that has hit a lot of makes.

 

Less of it, but not none of it. Compare the 1st generation Outback with the latest Crosstrek and Outback photos below. Note the 1st generation Outback's relatively level belt line compared to the rising belt lines of the latest generation Crosstrek and Outback. Quick quiz - which vehicle has the better side and rear visibility?

 

Would this count as a 'blind' spot detector?

 

When I go offroad I need to turn blind spot detection OFF when I am going up steep hill and don't want it to stop the Subaru because of a harmless leafy branch. Need to maintain momemtum.
When backing up down a steep downgrade I need to turn blind spot detection OFF so it doesn't abruptly stop the Subaru.
I am learning. Need to anticipate what to do. Being familiar with the trail helps a lot.
Especially, since you have to STOP and shift into reverse to turn either one OFF.
Turn both back ON when on the regular trail. Hopefull it will prevent me from running into a real tree.
Just a 'tip' for the off roaders.

 

Next time you go to your tree farm, I would love to see some pics of the trail you travel
Sounds like an awesome place to get away from it all?

 

Fire trail at the top of the hill: https://www.subaruxvforum.com/threa...com/threads/maiden-off-road-driving-review.189170/?post_id=2200277#post-2200277 Post #15.
Going up the steep hill:

The view driving down the hill:

 

Are we talking about blind spot detection, cross traffic alert or RAB? All different things. As far as I know without consulting the manual again. RAB is the only one that will stop your car. (Aside from front precollision braking with Eyesight.)

 

Yeah, I think there's some confusion here between the different systems. Reverse automatic bracking (RAB) will stop the car in reverse, based on sonar sensors in the rear. Pre-collision braking will stop the car when in drive, based on the Eyesight forward-facing camera array. But blind spot detection (BSD) is based on the radar sensors in the rear bumper corners (different set of sensors than those which control RAB), and will only sound an alert. Rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) is also just an alert with an annoying beeping sound, based on the same sensors as BSD, and will not stop the car.

 

I consider every suv with tailgate covering a larger blind spot more hazardous than cars. The same for mini vans. Older vehicles never had rear view cameras or sonar. High end vehicles probably started with sonar. As accidents occurred, especially with children, I think manufacturers saw this as a potential lawsuit in the making and installed rear cameras and sonar to aid drivers backing out. If it wasn't for manufacturers stepping up, the aftermarket sector sells them for anyone seeing the advantage of reducing/eliminating blind spots.

 

Were there more backing accidents with traditional station wagons than with sedans? It does make sense considering the rear window is further from the driver.

 

I drove a '90s Mercury Sable wagon, a little smaller than those older wagons. Transportation for nieces and nephews when they were little. I don't recall having issues looking over my shoulders or any blind spots. I was aware of reversing and if children were anywhere near to account for them before backing out. Practice, practice, practice. The larger views out the back from inside made it easier to see almost everything, reducing blind spots to the tail gate with windows everywhere; the green house look as opposed to limited views from inside with my Xtrek. Thus, the backup camera and sonar sensors. I took to them like a duck to water.

 

The larger views out the back from inside made it easier to see almost everything, reducing blind spots to the tail gate with windows everywhere; the green house look as opposed to limited views from inside with my Xtrek. Thus, the backup camera and sonar sensors. I took to them like a duck to water.

This was precisely my point. So why did we create a visibilty problem with car design that could only be solved with advanced technology?

 

Think protective cocoon.

 

I thought that's what crumple zones are for.

 

+side protection, +protection for the airbags, +rollover protection, etc.

Mostly, side protection against tall trucks and SUVs

I'll give up the greenhouse. I would never feel safe in a convertible.

 

⬆⬆ What they said. ⬆⬆ There's a lot going on in car design with more safety mechanism to survive the once in a lifetime horrendous crash. Like an onion, peeling back the skins of vehicles reveals the underpinnings of decades of engineering studies to create a man made cocoon absorbing kinetic energy outside the cabin confines. Seat/shoulder belts, front, side and curtain airbags (hidden in various plastic trim) helps minimize neck snapping deaths. Nooks and crannies stuffed with sensors and mechanisms to aid survival in a crash. Stylists fight/work with mechanical engineers to design vehicles appealing to potential buyers. In the end, compromises are made.

I'm accustomed to sitting upright and high as opposed to others wanting to sit as low as possible, leaning back, barely looking over the steering wheel. Power seats allows for extreme positions.

 

Curious how people would handle backing up a ride like this today? No back-up sensors. No cameras. No tech. Maybe the back-up warning 'beep beep' if you had it installed.
Ahh...the good ol days

You couldn't even see out the back window, let alone the sides in one of these. Sideview mirror navigation is a lost art today

 

I still spend more time looking at the side view and rear view mirrors than the backup camera when I'm pulling out of a parking spot or whatever.

The camera is a nice supplement, not a replacement.

The only thing I really like the backup camera for is the guidelines when trying to get close enough to the curb when parallel parking that I don't get a ticket from some stickler meter reader.

 

Yes my 2020 Forester was great for visibility. The Crosstrek isn't bad but had to remove rear middle seat headrest as it created some visibility issues.