2012 Family Cars With Blind-Spot Monitors

By Suzanne Kane

Suzanne Kane

Contributing Writer BIO

Suzanne Kane is an editor at High Gear Media focusing on covering the latest product and other auto-related information for Family Car Guide... More

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9,977 views Aug 22, 2011

2012 Ford Taurus

With safety technology such an important family car consideration, finding the right vehicle that meets all your requirements and offers advanced safety features that aren’t cost-prohibitive is often a difficult task.

One safety technology that’s probably worth the cost is the blind-spot warning system. A number of manufacturers offer it, although it may be called something else, on various makes and models, ranging from standard equipment on some luxury cars to optional on affordable family sedans. In this segment, we concentrate on a few 2012 family sedans offering the technology.

2012 Ford Taurus SHO

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2012 Ford Taurus

Available on the 2012 Ford Taurus Limited and Taurus SHO five-passenger sedans, the blind-spot warning system also comes with cross-traffic alert, which lets the driver know when vehicles are switching lanes into their blind spots. The system's available on both the Limited and SHO trim levels. Warnings include audible alerts and lights mounted on the outside mirrors.

2012 Ford Fusion

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2012 Ford Fusion

The mid-size 2012 Ford Fusion five-passenger sedan has blind-spot warnings available on SEL, Sport and Hybrid models. It's essentially similar to the system in the Taurus.

2012 Lincoln MKZ

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2012 Lincoln MKZ

The luxury five-passenger 2012 Lincoln MKZ includes a blind-spot warning system on all trim levels. It too works the same as that in the Ford Taurus and Fusion.

2012 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design

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2012 Volvo S60

All-new for 2012, the Volvo S60 mid-size luxury sedan has blind-spot monitors available as a $700 option on T5, T6 AWD and R-Design models. Volvo’s BLIS system uses rear-facing digital cameras installed in the door mirrors to monitor traffic on either side of the car. As a vehicle enters the blind spot, the system alerts the driver with a warning lamp built into the front door post on the approaching side of the car.

2012 Mazda6

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2012 Mazda6

The mid-size 2012 Mazda6 five-passenger sedan has blind-spot monitors as standard equipment on the i Touring Plus, i Grand Touring, s Touring Plus and s Grand Touring. An icon on the side-view mirrors lights up when vehicles enter the detection area. If a turn signal is activated while vehicles are in the detection area, the system alerts the driver with the sound of a chime. Sensors track approximately 12.5 feet from left to right and about 26 feet behind the side of the vehicle.

2012 Audi A6

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2012 Audi A6

Audi’s 2012 A6 is completely redesigned and, as befitting a luxury sedan, has innovative blind spot monitoring safety technology. Audi's "side assist" monitors blind spot areas and warns the driver via LED lights in the exterior mirrors when vehicles are approaching at a range of 150 feet. 

There are, of course, other 2012 family sedans with blind-spot monitoring systems, but information isn’t yet available on them. But this half-dozen should give you a good idea of the range and type of technology to help monitor blind spots, and keep the family and others safe.

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