Blind Spot Monitoring: Standard On Kia Sorento?

Blind-spot monitoring is an advanced driving assistance system that helps prevent accidents by notifying the driver of vehicles that appear within their blind spot. This technology is available on the Kia Sorento, but it is unclear if it comes standard on all models. The 2021 Kia Sorento in Europe, for example, offers a Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) as part of a package that includes other safety features. This system acts as a second pair of eyes for drivers, enhancing their vision when driving on the road and eliminating left and right blind spots. It is important to note that blind-spot monitoring systems may have limitations and vary across different vehicle models, so it is recommended to refer to the owner's manual for specific details.

Kia Sorento's Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) technology

The Kia Sorento is packed with the latest safety features and technologies, including the Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) technology. This advanced driving assistance system acts as a "second pair of eyes" for drivers, enhancing safety for Sorento passengers and other road users by eliminating left- and right-side blind spots.

The BVM is enabled by a fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster with a high-definition display. It is linked with the car's turn signal, enhancing the driver's vision when driving on the road. When a driver signals a lane change and another vehicle is hidden in their blind spot, the BVM displays a high-resolution video feed on the left or right side of the digital instrument cluster, providing a clear view of the other vehicle. This video feed temporarily replaces the speedometer or tachometer dial display, or the hybrid system gauge in Sorento Hybrid models, while still showing the car's current speed.

The video feed is provided by two wide-angle, high-resolution cameras, one hidden in each side mirror housing. According to Kia, these cameras offer a wider viewing angle than traditional mirrors, improving the driver's visibility of other vehicles.

In Europe, the BVM technology is offered on the Sorento as part of a package that includes a Surround View Monitor and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA) for safer low-speed parking. The package also includes a Bose Performance Series audio system and is available on European-spec Sorentos equipped with Kia's Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) function, which helps prevent collisions with vehicles in blind spots.

While Kia has not confirmed the availability of the BVM for the US-spec Sorento, it is already offered for the Kia Telluride and Kia K900 in America, suggesting a potential future release for US customers.

How does the Blind-Spot View Monitor work?

The Blind-Spot View Monitor (BSVM) is a safety feature in some Kia vehicles, including the 2021 Kia Sorento, designed to enhance driver awareness of their surroundings. It is part of the broader category of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that leverage technology to improve vehicle safety.

The BSVM uses cameras and sensors to monitor the blind spots on either side of the car. When the driver signals a lane change, the BSVM displays a high-resolution video feed on the left or right side of the TFT-LCD instrument cluster, providing a clearer view of other vehicles. This video feed comes from two wide-angle, high-resolution cameras, one hidden in the side mirror housing on each side.

The BSVM system is linked with the car's turn signal, enhancing the driver's vision when driving on the road. When another vehicle is hidden in the driver's blind spot, the video feed of the blind spot briefly replaces either the speedometer or tachometer dial display (or the hybrid system gauge in Sorento Hybrid models).

In addition to the BSVM, Kia offers a Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BSCW) system. This system uses sensors located on the rear bumper and side mirrors to detect if there are any vehicles within the blind spot or in the adjacent lanes. If a vehicle is detected within a certain proximity or is not visible in the driver's blind spot, an audible warning and signal will appear on the side mirror. The BSCW system can also apply the brakes on the opposite wheel to prevent the vehicle from switching lanes if a collision is imminent.

What is the Blind-Spot Collision Warning?

The Blind-Spot Collision Warning is a driving assistance system designed to enhance safety for both the driver and other road users. It is one of the many advanced driving assistance systems that help prevent accidents from occurring. This specific safety system notifies the driver if another vehicle has appeared within their blind spot or if another vehicle has switched into an adjacent lane and is at risk of a collision.

The Blind-Spot Collision Warning uses sensors located on the rear bumper and side mirrors to check for vehicles within the driver's blind spot or in the lanes beside the car. If a vehicle is detected within a certain proximity or is not visible in the driver's blind spot, an audible warning and signal will appear on the side mirror. These warnings may differ depending on the model of the vehicle.

To activate the Blind-Spot Collision Warning on a Kia vehicle, press the ‘Blind-Spot Collision Warning’ button. Once the vehicle reaches 30km/h (approximately 19 mph), the Blind Spot Collision Warning icon will appear on the dashboard, indicating that the rear and side radar sensors have been activated. This provides the driver with a real-time update on their driving situation and helps prevent hazardous situations. If a vehicle is detected in the blind spot or a collision is possible, the warning signal on the side mirrors will illuminate, and an audible warning will be activated if the driver switches the turn signal in the same direction.

The Blind-Spot Collision Warning is a valuable feature that improves safety and helps drivers maintain awareness of their surroundings. It is important to note that this system is designed for highway use due to frequent lane changes and fast speeds. However, it may not detect vehicles travelling at significantly different speeds or in certain scenarios, such as on curved or narrow roads.

What are the limitations of the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist?

The Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) is a safety feature that works in tandem with the Blind-Spot Collision Warning. When the driver turns on the signal to change lanes while the illuminated visual and audio warning from the Blind-Spot Collision Warning is on, and the vehicle starts to move toward the signaled direction, the BCA system will apply the brakes on the opposite wheel to prevent the vehicle from switching lanes.

• Driver Intervention: The BCA system is not a substitute for safe driving practices. The driver should always remain alert and maintain control of the vehicle. It is important to maintain a safe braking distance and apply the brakes if necessary to reduce speed or stop the vehicle.
• Speed Limitations: The BCA system operates within specific speed ranges. It becomes active when the vehicle's speed is above 20 km/h (12 mph), and the speed of the vehicle in the blind spot is above 10 km/h (7 mph). Additionally, the collision avoidance assist function is designed for driving speeds between 60-200 km/h (40-120 mph).
• Lane Markings: The BCA system requires the detection of both lane markings of the driving lane for it to function properly.
• Driver's Seat Position: The position of the driver's seat can impact the BCA system's effectiveness. If the driver's seat is on the left side, the collision warning may occur when turning left, and if the seat is on the right side, the warning may occur when turning right.
• Road Width: The detecting range of the rear corner radar is determined by a standard road width. On narrow roads, the function may detect vehicles in lanes farther away and issue a warning. On wide roads, it may not detect a vehicle in the adjacent lane and may not provide a warning.
• Hazard Warning: When the hazard warning flashers are turned on, the collision warning triggered by the turn signal will not operate.
• Vehicle Detection: The BCA system relies on sensors to detect vehicles in the blind spot area. However, if the vehicle in the adjacent lane is moving at a significantly faster or slower speed, the sensors might not register the vehicle in time. Additionally, the system is designed to identify vehicles traveling at a certain speed and may not detect motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, scooters, or pedestrians.
• System Limitations: It is important to note that the BCA system may not operate in all situations or avoid all collisions. The system may provide late warnings or fail to warn the driver, depending on the road and driving conditions.
• System Interference: If the driver excessively depresses the accelerator pedal or sharply steers the vehicle, the BCA system's braking control may be automatically canceled.
• Audio Warnings: In noisy environments, the audible warning sound of the BCA system may not be easily heard.
• System Malfunction: In the event of a problem with the BCA system, the vehicle's basic braking performance will still operate normally.

What are the operating conditions of the Blind Spot Detection system?

The Blind-Spot Collision Warning system in the Kia Sorento is designed to assist drivers and help prevent accidents. It uses sensors on the rear bumper and side mirrors to detect vehicles within the driver's blind spot or in adjacent lanes. When the vehicle reaches 30km/h (approximately 19 mph), the system activates, and the Blind Spot Collision Warning icon appears on the dashboard. If a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, a warning signal illuminates on the side mirrors, and an audible warning is activated if the driver indicates to change lanes.

The operating conditions of the Blind Spot Detection system are as follows:

• The system switch must be pressed with the ignition switch ON, and the indicator on the switch will illuminate.
• The system activates when the vehicle speed exceeds 30 km/h (18.6 mph). Below this speed, the warning is not operated.
• The system relies on radar sensors and cameras to detect other vehicles in the rear side territory of the Sorento.
• The warning range is dependent on the vehicle's speed. If the Sorento is travelling at a speed approximately 10km/h faster than another vehicle, the warning is not operated.
• The system provides a visual warning in the form of a yellow light inside the outside rearview mirror glass when another vehicle is detected in the rear side territory.
• The system provides an audible warning and activates the second stage alert when the turn signal is on for a lane change, or the hazard warning light is on.
• The system is designed for highway use due to frequent lane changes and fast speeds.

It is important to note that the Blind Spot Detection system should not be solely relied upon by the driver. It is meant to supplement safe driving practices, and drivers should still use their mirrors and look over their shoulders to detect other vehicles when changing lanes. Additionally, the system may not work properly or alert the driver in certain conditions, such as on curved roads, in tollgates, with a loaded trunk or abnormal tyre pressure, during bad weather, or when near fixed objects like guardrails.

Frequently asked questions