Might also be worth including your trim level as well. My wife is about that tall and had some visibility issues took she sat parked in the car for 15 min and played with all of the adjustments in our limited

 

Limited as well. Was she able to resolve the issues?

 

You may need a seat cushion. Removing the rear seat head rests may also help with visibility.

 

Im 6ft & driver side rear view mirror partially blocks my view looking down trying not to hit concrete divider strip (between coming/going lanes) when turning left into left lane with divider stip. Hit once, but no tire/wheel damage. Am getting better at it along with first try parking between white strips. :grin:

btw...Didn't u say your HL on order & traded F150 in your other thread ? R U sure u made the right decision ? Just askin.

 

Im 6ft & driver side rear view mirror partially blocks my view looking down trying not to hit concrete divider strip (between coming/going lanes) when turning left into left lane with divider stip.

This happens to me about once a month.. Usually when it's dark out, turning left with a concrete curb between the lanes or turning into the on-ramp.
Never hit anything, but have to move around my seat while turning to make sure I don't run over anything.

Otherwise, I think the mirrors are very good for a big car like this. Much more usable than most other cars I have driven.

 

The seat raises up and down in my 2nd gen?
Does it not in the 3rd gen?

 

Yes it does and at 5'3" my wife has no problems seeing what she needs to.

 

Yes the HL arrives 11/11. Given all of the factors I need to take into account Im pretty sure I made the right decision.

 

Did you end up getting the highlander? What are your thoughts on the visibility issue now? I’m still having problems. Think I have to get a different car.

 

Yes she did. it takes about 5 seconds from the time she hits the memory button to the end for all of the adjustments to finalize between our 2 seating positions

 

Absolutely! I posted this a year ago and people thought I was crazy. I'm 5'7 and the mirrors still create a blind spot. I've adjusted my seat higher and after driving the car for a year, it's better, but not at night. The side mirrors sit at eye level. I've never owned or driven a vehicle like this, they all sit below eye level, there's no reason for them to be that high. I own a Limited Platinum.

Also, I did raise my seat higher, but eventually, you can become too high and then reaching the pedals becomes an issue. We shouldn't have sit on a bar stool to be able to see over the mirrors.

Is this only an issue in the Limiteds because of blind spot monitoring, etc?

 

Absolutely! I posted this a year ago and people thought I was crazy. I'm 5'7 and the mirrors still create a blind spot. I've adjusted my seat higher and after driving the car for a year, it's better, but not at night. The side mirrors sit at eye level. I've never owned or driven a vehicle like this, they all sit below eye level, there's no reason for them to be that high. I own a Limited Platinum.

Also, I did raise my seat higher, but eventually, you can become too high and then reaching the pedals becomes an issue. We shouldn't have sit on a bar stool to be able to see over the mirrors.

Is this only an issue in the Limiteds because of blind spot monitoring, etc?

 

Call Toyota to report - Mirror too large and too high

This problem resulted in me not seeing a person and hitting him! He is ok, thank God, but I'm seriously considering getting a different car. It's definitely worse at night, and especially in the rain because the small strip of window between the mirror and frame gets blurred out. Between the wide frame, large mirror and high placement of the mirror, it for sure makes a blind spot. I called Toyota to report it and recommend you all do the same. Maybe they will put out a recall and replace the mirror with something safer.

 

This problem resulted in me not seeing a person and hitting him! He is ok, thank God, but I'm seriously considering getting a different car. It's definitely worse at night, and especially in the rain because the small strip of window between the mirror and frame gets blurred out. Between the wide frame, large mirror and high placement of the mirror, it for sure makes a blind spot. I called Toyota to report it and recommend you all do the same. Maybe they will put out a recall and replace the mirror with something safer.

Hmmm... The PCS didn't "see" the person and trigger the brakes?

 

response to comment above

I am 5'2". I think it's worse for us, but still an issue for taller people.

 

Mirrors have to be at around eye level to see anything in them. The Highlander does not seem worse than any other vehicle I have driven. I am around 5 ' 11" , I am not sure how much height adjustment the seat ultimately provides but set it to the maximum that it goes to still give head room aND pedal reach. Another thing to consider is how far back the driver has the seat, their arms should be bent when holding the wheel , a lot of drivers adopt a straight arm driving position and a vehicle like the highlander has more in common with a truck, big mirrors, high stance and large hood. Try a more truck like driving position, it amuses me when people say the Highlander is car like, it is not like any sedan I ever drove, it reminds me of a Camry in a vague way but certainly not in the driving position. A common complaint I see in reviews is not being able to reach the infotainment controls, now these people must have very short arms or they have the seat back too far, there is kind of a "landcruiser light" aspect to the highlander almost like an offroader that is not designed to go offroad but retains that setup for the driver. Off road vehicles are not driven with a reclined laid back seating position, When first getting the vehicle the seating position adjustment was really odd to me felt like I was sitting on the floor , a very car like setting.

 

Visibility issue from mirror size and placement

Nzott,no question these mirrors are definitely bigger and higher than average. a mirror can be set lower but angled up to see, that's the magic of a mirror.

 

Nzott,no question these mirrors are definitely bigger and higher than average. a mirror can be set lower but angled up to see, that's the magic of a mirror.

The mirrors have to situated in line with the windows, dictated by the height of the base of the window on the vehicle, if you are looking up at the mirrors you are sitting too low in the car and need to adjust the seat height. Then use other seat adjustments including steering wheel until it feels comfortable and you can see over the hood in which case you will be able to see over the mirrors, this new seating position may not be what you are currently used to but it becomes what you need to safely operate the vehicle and then you get used to it and you will feel in command of the vehicle. The mirrors are not especially large, nor are they in a position different to most other modern cars.

 

2019 Highlander XLE Side mirror blocks the view (Safety hazard)
I am 5.3 and side mirror blocks the left side view and makes very difficult to turn left at the intersection specially during rain and nights. I raised the seat height but then you hit your head while getting in. This is huge design flow and definitely a safety issue.

 

I’m 5’2” and having same issue

 

I'm 5'10" and have the same problem, especially when turning left at large intersections and I cannot see the concrete median.

 

After reading this thread, I noticed that I do also take an extra few look sometimes while making a left turn to make sure my left tires are clear away from the median.. Huh and I am 6'. I can't say if it's the seat height adjustment in my case or just the overall combination of the hood design, window, A-pillar and the location of the driver-side mirror. Regardless I still love my HL, like parents naturally think their new borns are beautiful.

 

So glad to see your posts. I am 5’5 and I cannot see the medians and striping on left side when turning. I drive in Atlanta and that is bad enough. I have complained about this for 3 years. I can understand how you hit someone. Whoever answered your post could not understand why the PCS did not alert you but there is a blind spot before the PCS picks anything up. Very frightening.

 

Thanks for your post. I have a 2016 and don’t have that safety feature anyway

 

I have had my car a month and this blind spot is stressing me out. I will call Toyota tomorrow and also report to safety standard. I am 5’6 and had other SUVs and this has never been a problem. Toyota should do something about this immediately before someone is seriously harm from this defect.

 

As I asked in your other posting, did you not take a test drive in the Highlander before you bought it?

 

I think most of these sorts of issues are buyer adjustment from owning one of the big three vehicles to owning a similar priced Toyota, they expect an American vehicle experience and Toyota comes from a different angle regards vehicle design and concept. This doesn't entail lowering expectations just changing what the expectations are. To me the highlander is a good practical vehicle in most respects ( city gas mileage and stop/ start excepted), but I have never owned an American vehicle, so what I look for in a vehicle is different, more practicality and less luxury.

 

I think a lot of this stuff--with no offense intended to anyone who has posted their observations in this thread--is an indictment if you will for how pampered American society has become. It really is a case of yesteryear when times were difficult and the nation was much less wealthy and had much less technology, everyone made do with what they had and they accepted it. Nowadays people demand to be pampered, and companies fall all over themselves to pamper people and sell the items as "safety features" or "time savers" and so forth, such as automatically closing rear hatches (heaven forbid someone should have to utilize muscles to open and close a cargo hatch), and so when people encounter the smallest obstacle they perceive it as a problem and a showstopper. For anyone over 50-years-old they will understand the difference between making the best of what you had back in the day versus the overarching pampering in society today. That's just a personal take on it.

 

Before complaining about blind spots, we should learn how to drive first... What's a turn signal? Rather... just how do you check your blind spot...?

 

Before commenting maybe you should learn how to read first. No one is talking about a traditional blindspot.

 

FWIW..Know what your mean. Not same, but I'm 5'll" which does help me using sv mirror. Overtime I've learned how to view diff ways when using mine, even so still kinda ackward. Point is...I installed a larger sv mirror on my truck, but don't know if avail. for HL ? Found mine using goog, u might try?

 

I'm at the point where I would pay a custom shop to design different mirrors for me.

 

NixT...oops, I mentioned larger sv mirror, realized mistake later. I'm not a designer, so no real know how on that. Maybe someone here may have some idea's? Look at etrailer.com, maybe have something besides tow mirrors? Still try googling. Good luck on your endeavors.

 

Yes, I have the exact same problem in my 2019 Hybrid Highlander XLE. I'm around 5'2", and experience a visibility block on both sides of the car (driver and passenger side) from the side mirrors. I tried a pillow to lift me higher, as the seat is at the maximum height level. It helped to be slightly higher but, of course, the steering wheel isn't at a comfortable position (yes, it was adjusted). Very disappointing for such an expensive vehicle. Unfortunately, the blind spot issue was not recognized during the test drive. Almost every time I drive the car, I experience a stomach-turning event with a car that I did not see coming. I'm thinking to take the loss and sell/trade the vehicle. It only has 11,000 miles.

 

I own the same vehicle as you and I am 4'11" and have raised the seat as high as possible. I had an accident 2 days ago where I did not see the vehicle coming from my left. Thinking of having repairs and then trading it in .

 

I’m having the same issue with my 2016 Lexus NX. I thought I was crazy and glad
I found this page and see others have the same problem. My drivers side blocks my vision and was wondering if a different mirror is an option. This is making me think twice about buying another NX unless this is corrected

 

I’m having the same issue with my 2016 Lexus NX. I thought I was crazy and glad
I found this page and see others have the same problem. My drivers side blocks my vision and was wondering if a different mirror is an option. This is making me think twice about buying another NX unless this is corrected

2016 Lexus NX is based on the Toyota RAV4 platform with a different engine from the RAV4. On the other hand the RX is from the Highlander...

 

I absolutely have the same problem and was going to ask my service manager about any possible options. My MIL was the first one to have a fit driving it (5'3) but my daughter and I are also the same height (5'4) and it is very difficult to see, especially the left side. I hate making turns in this SUV and wish I had made more during the test drive. I compared it to other vehicles, both Toyota and other manufacturers and the mirror seems very tall, as well as wide, but more importantly, it fits tighter to the side of the vehicle - hence, the wider blind spot for us, who can't easily see above it. The Toyota vans and sedans I have driven are fine, as are the Ford Explorer and Mercedes GLC SUVs (LOVE the mirror on the GLC, not tall at all), so this is definitely specific to the Highlander. Fortunately, my son who is learning to drive, is taller and hopefully won't have the problem we do. I miss my Sienna; I wish the jacka$& who ran a red light hadn't totaled mine. (P.S. For those who were trying to shame the OP about test driving, as a person who between my husband and I have owned 13 vehicles with no mirror issues, that isn't the thing I am concentrating on during a test drive)

 

You just learn to deal with it. The only three solutions are sell it, install a camera and monitor, or just cut right through the a-piller...

 

Casander...geez, my old reply, but know what ya mean. Obstruction of view is still annoying for me, but not as much as early on. Since, I've learned what to look for, do's, dont's etc. LOL! Anyhow, be safe etc.

btw..I also eyeball around, meaning I have no real issues seeing other vehicles. Driver beware ! Defensive 101 driving.

 

Defensive 101 driving.

Exactly...

 

Did you get any answers to the issue of side mirror blocking view? I bought my 2014 Highlander used over a year ago and it is an accident waiting to happen when I’m making left turns.

Did the mirrors drop from where they were when you test drove it before purchase?