Best cars for bonnet visibility?

Evelynmc

Hello

So I’m currently driving a Nissan Micra (2001)

I love the car, the handy size and the visibility I have in it, but it’s getting old and I’m starting to look at changing it. I was in a brand new 2018 Yaris and I noticed the massive difference in visibility of the bonnet, it was completely invisible in the Yaris whereas in the micra I can pretty much see the whole thing, makes it so easy for judging where I am on the road. I am quite short which isn’t going to help in choosing a newer model car.

I kind of hated the thought of not having that visibility. Do you drive a particular model that has a good view of the bonnet?

colm_mcm

No, anything new will have a sloping bonnet. Pedestrian crash safety. You’ll get used to it no bother.

Cars have gotten bigger over the years, so maybe look at smaller cars than the current Yaris/Micra

listermint

Nissan Note

Old Perry

Did you adjust your seat in the yaris? I can see my whole bonnet if I raise the the seat to the point where my head is touching the roof.

Evelynmc

colm_mcm wrote: »

No, anything new will have a sloping bonnet. Pedestrian crash safety. You’ll get used to it no bother.

Cars have gotten bigger over the years, so maybe look at smaller cars than the current Yaris/Micra

Aw no way, there’s not many that would be smaller than those :P was looking at the fiat 500’s but bit iffy about them!

Evelynmc

Old Perry wrote: »

Did you adjust your seat in the yaris? I can see my whole bonnet if I raise the the seat to the point where my head is touching the roof.

I didn’t no didn’t want to be messing with it as it was a family members and I know how annoying it is when someone messes with your seat might do that though if I was considering actually buying one!

Evelynmc

listermint wrote: »

Nissan Note

Would not be my cup of tea

JohnBoy26

Kia picanto?

colm_mcm

Smaller ones would be the Suzuki Celerio, Citroen C1/Peugeot 108/Toyota Aygo, Opel Karl, VW Up/SEAT Mii,/Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Ford Ka+

Evelynmc

colm_mcm wrote: »

Smaller ones would be the Suzuki Celerio, Citroen C1/Peugeot 108/Toyota Aygo, Opel Karl, VW Up/SEAT Mii,/Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Ford Ka+

You know your cars anyway will take a look at those!

Lantus

Evelynmc wrote:

I kind of hated the thought of not having that visibility. Do you drive a particular model that has a good view of the bonnet?

Seeing the bonnet whilst driving shouldn't affect your perception of how you fit on the road. You cant see it in most modern cars. I can't.

kneemos

The Mini I'd imagine,though never been in one.

kirving

While you might not be able to see the bonnet entirely, newer cars will have more seat adjustment so you can sit higher, some will have front parking sensors that automatically turn on when you're driving slowly.

Remember to turn on your lights too in tight spots as the reflection off whatever you're close to is a great way to judge distance.

Oral Surgeon

You'll see this one....:D





https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/chevrolet/camaro/used-1969-chevrolet-camaro-ss-dublin-fpa-50914012095475270

endacl

Harry Palmr

listermint wrote: »

Nissan Note

I drive a Note (sadly) and you can hardly see the bonnet, those bulbous headlights are the only visible thing if you are average height. I used to drive a Mercedes 190 which was perfect for judging distance, it even had an aid perched on the highest point!

Cushie Butterfield

OP, as already mentioned all newer cars will be like this, so I think you’ll just have to accept that this is the case now, because focusing on the issue is just going to make you less confident & create a mental block. Try to focus on the fact that most newer cars have a much better view as regards larger front & back view, better viewing angles as regards mirrors, reversing cameras & parking sensors.

You will get used to it. With a bit of practice you’ll be able to pick out a point/points at which you know that you are close to the side or middle of the road (e.g. a certain point on the wiper arm, a control button on dash or whatever).

In order to gain confidence you could always take a few driving lessons where an instructor could help you identify your position on the road & distance behind/between other cars, optimum position for side mirror viewing angles, & general spatial awareness.

Try to pick a car that is relatively ‘straight’ in shape versus one that has some of the side body ‘ballooning’ out over the wheels.

Good luck & don’t overthink things. You will get used to a newer car, one way or another.

AMKC

colm_mcm wrote: »

Smaller ones would be the Suzuki Celerio, Citroen C1/Peugeot 108/Toyota Aygo, Opel Karl, VW Up/SEAT Mii,/Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Ford Ka+

You nearly got them all.

Evelynmc wrote: »

You know your cars anyway will take a look at those!

The Renault Twingo is a cute little car too and also worth a look.

Fiat Panda is another.

Dravokivich

I've driven cars with different designs for the bonnet. You stop noticing it after a while. Focus on why you can see in front of you, not your nose.

Dia1988

Have you tried these


https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/tractors/14183414

You'll be able to see the bonnet and also a high seating position.

AMKC

Another car that you might like and is worth looking at is the Suzuki Ignis. Not sure what the view out the windscreen is like do. No idea if you can or cannot see the bonnet but still a nice cute little car.

sogood

If it's really an issue for you, you can get little "flag pole" type devices, that fix, temporarily onto your bumper. They look a bit like the flag poles you see on diplomats cars sometimes.

They would stand up just beyond the top of the wing/bonnet and give you a clear idea of the outer front corners of your car.

Just a thought.

FUBO

Isuzu trooper

bliger

As a sogood said you can attach https://www.amazon.co.uk/Safety-Bumper-Antenna-Distance-Measurement/dp/B01LTGM19Q
In Japan it is very popular gadget.

joeysoap

The Yaris is quite high for a small car. Look at parked car in a car park and the Yaris is relatively high. Also the seat position in the Yaris can be cranked quite high as a previous poster stated. But the bonnet is still hard to see ( but not judge)

After driving any car for a couple of hours you will get used to the dimensions of it. I wouldn't worry about bonnet visibility.

I drive a Citroen C5 estate, which is a bit longer than the average car. When i first drove it, i felt like I was in an articulated truck. Nowadays I fly in and out of small pokey places with it and turn it around/parallel park etc. with ease. You get used to anything after a little while. I wouldn't let it concern you.

As a previous poster said, it's just initially a mental block more than anything else.