Cars With Passenger-Side Lane Cameras: Which Models Have Them?

The passenger-side lane camera, also known as the sideview camera, is a safety feature that provides drivers with an expanded view of the lane beside them. This feature is especially useful when changing lanes or making turns. When the turn signal is activated, the camera is turned on, and the video feed is displayed on the central screen of the car, giving the driver a clear view of their blind spot.

- 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid

- 2021 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

- 2022 Hyundai Sonata Limited

- 2022 Kia Stinger GT2

- 2016 Hyundai Sonata

- 2016 Porsche Macan

- 2016 Subaru Legacy

- 2016 Mazda Mazda3

- 2016 Lexus ES

- 2016 Volvo S60

- 2016 Dodge Charger

- 2016 Toyota Tacoma

- 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

- 2016 Chevrolet Volt

Honda LaneWatch™: A camera installed below the right passenger-side mirror sends images to the central display screen, making it easier to change lanes

Honda LaneWatch™ is an innovative safety technology offered on many new Honda vehicles. It is designed to help drivers stay informed about what's happening on the passenger side of their car, truck, or SUV, thereby adding an extra level of confidence to their driving experience.

The Honda LaneWatch™ system works by utilizing a camera installed below the right passenger-side mirror. This camera relays a live video feed or image of the vehicle's right-side blind spot onto the central display screen or infotainment screen. The system is activated when the right turn signal is engaged or by pressing a button on the turn signal stalk.

The field of view provided by Honda LaneWatch™ is significantly greater than that of a typical side-view mirror. It offers a view of approximately 80 degrees, allowing drivers to see more than two complete lanes to the right rear, up to 164 feet. This enhanced visibility makes it easier and safer for drivers to change lanes, make turns, and even parallel park.

While Honda LaneWatch™ is a valuable safety enhancement, it is important to note that it is not a substitute for the passenger-side mirror or safe driving practices. Drivers should still adhere to proper mirror adjustment and driving techniques. Additionally, some users have reported issues with glare and distortion at night, which can affect the clarity of the display screen.

Honda LaneWatch™ has been well-received by drivers, offering an extra layer of confidence when changing lanes, especially at high speeds. It has also been praised for its usefulness in urban settings, where sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians is common. However, Honda is phasing out LaneWatch in favour of traditional blind-spot monitoring systems, citing cost and the limitation of monitoring only one lane as reasons for the shift.

Blind Spot Warning: Alerts you if there's a vehicle in your blind spot, usually with a simple light on the side mirrors or inside the vehicle

Blind spot warning systems are an essential safety feature that alerts drivers to vehicles in their blind spots, which are areas that cannot be seen in the side or rear-view mirrors. These alerts typically come in the form of a simple light on the side mirrors or inside the vehicle, but some cars also have warning chimes or even assistive features that steer the car back into its lane.

Blind-spot monitoring systems use radar or ultrasonic sensors embedded in the vehicle's rear bumper to detect approaching vehicles. More advanced systems also employ side-mounted cameras to provide a live feed of the blind spot, giving drivers a more comprehensive view of their surroundings.

While blind-spot monitoring was once limited to high-end luxury cars, it has now trickled down to even economy vehicles. It is often offered as a stand-alone option or as part of an option package. This feature is particularly useful for larger vehicles with bigger blind spots, as it can help prevent accidents when changing lanes.

Aftermarket blind spot monitoring systems are also available for older vehicles that lack this technology. These systems typically consist of sensors and indicators, with the sensors using technologies such as sonar, radar, or lidar to detect hazards, and the indicators providing visual or audio alerts to the driver. While these systems can be a helpful addition, it is important to note that they are not a substitute for proper mirror adjustment and cautious driving.

Lane Departure Warning: Uses cameras to ensure the car stays within lane markers

Lane departure warning systems are designed to help you avoid crashes due to drifting or leaving your lane. The system detects lane markers and alerts you when a tire touches a lane marker. The warning is usually a flashing indicator, a sound, or a vibration of the steering wheel or driver’s seat. Lane departure warning systems will not alert you when your turn signal is on.

Lane departure warning systems use cameras to ensure the car stays within lane markers. These cameras are typically integrated behind the windshield, mounted beside the rear mirror. The cameras detect lane markings on the road and alert the driver when the vehicle is veering out of its lane.

Lane keeping assist is a more advanced version of lane departure warning. If the system detects a potential lane departure and you do not respond in time, lane keeping assist will gently steer you back into the lane. Lane keeping assist systems are also activated by pressing a button or automatically when you turn on your car.

Lane departure warning systems are designed to minimize accidents by addressing the main causes of collisions: driver error, distractions, and drowsiness.

Lane Keep Assist: Similar to Lane Departure Warning, but uses cameras to ensure the car stays between lane markers

Lane Keep Assist is a safety feature that helps prevent a vehicle from unintentionally drifting out of its lane. It uses a forward-looking camera mounted behind the windshield to detect lane lines. When the system detects that the vehicle is about to unintentionally leave its lane, it provides a brief "nudge" of steering to keep the vehicle in its lane. This feature does not intervene when the driver is using the turn signal or actively steering, accelerating, or braking. Lane Keep Assist is designed to reduce driver stress and improve safety, particularly during highway drives. It is important to note that Lane Keep Assist does not continuously steer the vehicle and should not be relied upon as a substitute for normal driver attention.

Lane Keep Assist is similar to Lane Departure Warning (LDW) but with some key differences. LDW provides visual, audible, or tactile warnings when the vehicle approaches or crosses lane markings, while Lane Keep Assist actively assists the driver in steering to prevent lane departure. Lane Keep Assist may be offered in conjunction with LDW, and the two features often work together.

Lane Keep Assist is available on various vehicles, including those from GMC, Mitsubishi, Mercedes, and more. It is worth noting that the specific names and implementations of these lane-keeping technologies may vary across different automakers. When considering a vehicle with Lane Keep Assist, it is essential to refer to the owner's manual or consult a dealer to fully understand the functionality and limitations of the system.

Honda Sensing®: Honda's suite of safety features, including LaneWatch™

Honda Sensing® is an exclusive intelligent suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies designed to alert drivers to potential dangers and help them maintain control of their vehicles. It is available on all Honda models and includes the following features:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™): This system applies brake pressure when a collision is determined to be unavoidable, helping to reduce the impact velocity and collision force. It also includes Forward Collision Warning (FCW), which uses a camera to detect vehicles and pedestrians ahead and alerts the driver if a collision is imminent.
• Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM): The RDM system uses a camera to identify lane markers and detects when the vehicle is about to leave its lane or the roadway. It provides visual and audible warnings and can also adjust the steering and apply the brakes to help keep the vehicle in its lane.
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS): LKAS uses a camera to sense lane lines and keep the vehicle centred in its lane with automated steering assistance. If the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signalling, the system will issue an audiovisual Lane Departure Warning (LDW).
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): This feature allows the driver to set a desired speed and following interval behind a detected vehicle ahead, providing the benefits of cruise control in light traffic.

In addition to these core features, Honda Sensing® also includes:

• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR): TSR uses a camera to notify drivers of posted speed limits and other traffic signs.
• Auto High-Beam Headlights: This feature automatically toggles between high and low-beam headlights when driving at night above 25 mph, providing maximum visibility without dazzling other drivers.
• LaneWatch™: LaneWatch™ is an additional feature that sends a video feed from a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror to the infotainment display when the driver activates the right turn signal. This provides improved visibility of the passenger-side lane and can help with lane changes and merging.
• Blind Spot Information System (BSI) with Cross Traffic Monitor: BSI illuminates a warning light on the side mirror if a vehicle is in the driver's blind spot, while Cross Traffic Monitor alerts the driver with an audiovisual warning if another vehicle is approaching perpendicularly when backing out of a parking space.

Frequently asked questions