Top 20 SUVs with Good-To-Excellent Visibility (Front & Rear)
Excellent views out of the driver’s seat are an essential component of an easy-to-drive and safe vehicle, particularly for senior and shorter drivers – although it’s a quality all drivers would appreciate.
The following are SUVs with the best visibility out the front, sides, and rear, grouped by size. They include models in the mainstream and luxury segments.
Subcompact SUVs with Best Front & Rear Visibility
#1 Honda HR-V
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Good
Now in its second generation, the Honda HR-V is the SUV with probably the best visibility among extra-small SUVs.
The current second-gen HR-V underwent some windshield pillar redesign, which further improved already-great views out the front.
Side views are similarly airy due to the large and square windows.
The thick rear roof pillars are typical of SUVs, but the squared-off rear window gives excellent views straight out the back.
#2 Kia Seltos
Front visibility : Good
Side visibility : Good
Rear visibility : Good
Kia Seltos is a relatively new model from the Korean manufacturer, first appearing in 2021.
With upright front seats and relatively tall windows, the Seltos subcompact crossover offers good all-around visibility for the drivers.
As with most models, the back roof pillars are thick, but the small third side window helps alleviate the rear three-quarter blind spot; plus, the rear window is large, which aids vision out the back.
#3 Subaru Crosstrek
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Good
Rear visibility : Good
The Subaru Crosstrek is a subcompact SUV with one of the best driver visibility.
Views out the front, side, and rear are generally good, thanks to the slim windshield pillars, tall front side windows, and a good-sized window at the back.
However, the rising beltline towards the back and tapering side windows in the second-row seats hinder the Crosstrek from achieving all-around top visibility marks.
#4 Volkswagen Taos
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Good
VW Taos is the German automaker’s smallest crossover, but an excellent all-rounder in performance, utility, and technology.
With the vehicle’s boxy shape, upright stance, and generous-sized windows, the VW Taos offers one of the best outward visibility among subcompacts.
The Taos’ roofline doesn’t slope towards the back, which greatly helps the vehicle maintain tall windows all around.
Plus, the sizable third side window noticeably reduces the driver’s three-quarter blind spot.
#5 Toyota Corolla Cross
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Average
Toyota finally introduced a crossover version of its wildly successful Corolla sedan in 2021, named the Corolla Cross.
Driver sightlines out the front and sides are excellent, aided by plenty of glass areas and slim roof pillars.
The fairly large third side window helps rear three-quarter views, a common complaint among sports utility vehicles.
However, the squat rear window makes views out the back slightly problematic.
#6 BMW X1
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Excellent
BMW X1, now in its third generation, is a model senior-friendly luxury SUV with the best all-around visibility among subcompacts.
Its crossover’s squarish design is near perfect in visibility terms, with no significant blind spot, especially in the three-quarter view, thanks to the generously-sized third side window.
Slim roof pillars and tall windows are consistent features in the X1.
#7 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Excellent
Like the BMW X1, the Mercedes GLB scores highly in outward visibility regardless of the direction and is one of the best among luxury subcompact SUVs.
The GLB’s boxy styling translates into a roomy interior and a driver’s seat that gets excellent all-around visibility through the large windows.
Plus, the low dashboard makes seeing out the front and over the hood easy.
The relatively large third side window should ease blind-spot concerns that the rear pillars may cause.
Compact SUVs with Best Front & Rear Visibility
#8 Subaru Forester
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Excellent
Compared to most compact crossovers, Subaru Forester offers one of the best all-around outward visions.
Besides the above-average ground clearance affording a commanding view of the road, the large windshield, generous glass areas in all directions, and slender roof pillars lend near-unimpeded sightlines for the driver.
Crucially, the Subaru Forester is the SUV with the best visibility for short drivers, thanks to a seating position set slightly higher than the average small crossover and a low beltline.
#9 Honda CR-V
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Excellent
This long-running compact SUV success is currently in its sixth generation.
The previous generations’ good visibility has received further enhancement in its latest iteration, with the Honda CR-V boosting the best visibility compared to rival small SUVs.
Views from the driver’s seat are excellent in all directions, thanks to the SUV’s boxy form, low dashboard, and large windows on the sides and rear.
Even the rear roof pillars are slim by modern SUV standards.
The latest-gen CR-V is also among the SUVs that are easiest to get in and out of, which is a primary concern among seniors.
#10 Hyundai Tucson
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Good
Rear visibility : Good
Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV with good visibility and an attractive compact crossover in design and value for money.
Its low dashboard, large windscreen, and slim front pillars allow for great forward visibility.
Although the rear pillars are rather thick, the small third side window at the rear flank makes the three-quarter view out the back more manageable, and the somewhat large rear window is a net positive.
The Tucson is one of the few SUVs with available hybrid and plug-in-hybrid variants, perfect for seniors and any driver wanting to reduce the frequent trips to the pump.
#11 Jeep Cherokee
Front visibility : Good
Side visibility : Good
Rear visibility : Good
Jeep enthusiasts will be happy to know that the Cherokee offers acceptable levels of outward visibility.
The expansive windshield and long and tall side windows allow the driver to see out the front, left, and right relatively easily.
With the good-size third side window, blind spots towards the rear pillars are less pronounced.
#12 Ford Bronco Sport
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Good
Rear visibility : Good
The off-road capable Ford Bronco Sport won’t win the small SUV with the best visibility award, but at least the driver gets a commanding view of the road with the SUV’s elevated seating position and low dashboard.
The tall side windows give airy views, and seeing straight out the back is reasonably easy, with the rearward three-quarter views hampered by the thick pillars.
#13 Kia Sorento
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Good
The latest generation of vehicles from the Korean carmaker are stylish and offer bang for the money.
Kia Sorento is an excellent three-row small SUV with great visibility, offering good sightlines towards the front and sides.
Slim windshield pillars and ample-size windows all around the cabin help with the outward views.
Looking straight out the back is easy with the tall and wide rear window.
#14 Volkswagen Tiguan
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Good
Not only does the VW Tiguan offer a third row, but it is also a solid choice for a small SUV with great visibility, offering generous views out in most directions.
Like other cars with excellent outward visibility, the Tiguan’s windshield pillars are slender, the side windows are tall and long, and the rear window is pretty sizable.
Additionally, the small triangular windows help the driver see the side mirrors.
#15 BMW X3
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Excellent
The level of outward visibility the BMW X3 offers is exemplary.
Few cabin designs let the driver see where the vehicle is headed as easily as the BMW X1, making it the best luxury SUV with excellent visibility in the small crossover class.
The tall roof translates into large windows all around.
Plus, the slim windshield pillars and sizable third side windows allow the driver to see the corners of the SUV relatively unimpeded.
#16 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Good
Like the X3, but to a lesser degree, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is an excellent small luxury SUV offering easy visibility.
The Merc GLC’s thin roof pillars, ample glass all-around, and good-sized third windows flanking the cabin combine to let the driver have a less stressful time driving and parking.
Midsize SUVs with Best Front & Rear Visibility
#17 Subaru Outback
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Excellent
Shoppers after a midsize SUV with above-average off-road capability, good ground clearance, and standard all-wheel drive will not be disappointed with the Outback.
Crucially, the Subaru Outback is an excellent pick for a midsize SUV with the best visibility, offering airy outward views that few can rival.
While the elevated ride height helps, it is the combination of slender roof pillars all-around and tall and long side windows, plus the helpful front triangular window and third side window that make the Outback incredibly easy to see out of.
#18 Hyundai Palisade
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Good
The related Korean automakers, Hyundai and Kia, offer midsize three-row SUV buyers two excellent, unbeatable models in build quality, interior roominess, and commendable visibility for their size: Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride (next on this list).
Slender windshield pillars, large windows, and sizable third side windows in a fairly boxy body lend Palisade drivers relatively good views in all directions.
#19 Kia Telluride
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Good
This SUV is a solid alternative to the Hyundai Palisade.
Despite its three-row midsize SUV bulk, the Telluride’s square shape, slim windshield pillars, and generous amounts of glass area aid outward visibility.
The fairly large rear window rounds out the Telluride’s good-visibility traits.
#20 BMW X5
Front visibility : Excellent
Side visibility : Excellent
Rear visibility : Good
The German marque’s range of SUVs is impressive as far as driver visibility matters.
While the X1 and X3 are solid picks in the smaller classes, the BMW X5 is a strong candidate for the midsize luxury SUV with the best visibility.
Driver visibility out the front and over the hood is good considering its size, while the large windows and sizable third side windows help alleviate blind spot issues to the left and right.
The best SUV for visibility may differ from one model year to another, but the BMW X Series offers a compelling range of sports utilities that are fun to drive and easy to see out of.
References:
https://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v
https://www.kia.com/us/en/seltos
https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/crosstrek.html
https://www.vw.com/en/models/taos.html
https://www.toyota.com/corollacross/
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-models/x1/sports-activity-vehicle/overview.html
https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/class/glb/suv
https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester.html
https://automobiles.honda.com/cr-v
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/vehicles/tucson
https://www.jeep.com/cherokee.html
https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco-sport/
https://www.kia.com/us/en/sorento
https://www.vw.com/en/models/tiguan.html
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-models/x3/sports-activity-vehicle/overview.html
https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/class/glc/suv
https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback.html
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/vehicles/palisade
https://www.kia.com/us/en/telluride
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-models/x5/sports-activity-vehicle/overview.html