While there’s no denying that the mid-engine, supercar-like design of the Corvette C8 is very attractive and eye-catching, the configuration creates a huge blind spot with poor-to-no visibility when changing lanes. For that reason, GM Authority believes that the GM Side Blind Zone Alert feature is an absolute necessity on the Corvette C8, something that should be seriously considered by those interested in buying Chevy’s new mid-engine sports car, whether in Coupe or Convertible form.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) is a GM active safety technology that provides side mirror alerts to help the driver avoid crashing into a vehicle in their side blind spot (or zone) during a lane change maneuver.
The technology uses one left and one right short-range radar located in the rear corners of the vehicle to monitor moving vehicles up to 11 feet (3.5 meters) behind the side mirror, one lane over from both sides of the vehicle. The system only works when the vehicle is in a Forward gear.
A driver is warned of a moving vehicle in the side blind zone via an amber Lane Change Alert icon in the top outer portion of the side mirror. The icon illuminates in a steady way if the system detects a vehicle in the Corvette’s blind zone, and flashes if the driver activates the turn signal in the direction of the detected vehicle. As such, an illuminated Lane Change Alert icon indicates that it’s unsafe to change lanes. While Side Blind Zone Alert is intended to assist in changing lanes, the driver is still responsible for checking mirrors, looking over the shoulder, and using turn signals before making a lane change.
It’s worth noting that Side Blind Zone Alert does not deliver a Safety Alert Seat vibration or any form of beeping alerts. Additionally, one can turn the system on or off via a setting in the vehicle settings menu.
On the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Corvette, Side Blind Zone Alert is standard on 2LT and 3LT but not available on 1LT models. Potential customers should take that into consideration when buying a new or used C8.
Side Blind Zone Alert is part of a set of modern active safety features GM introduced with the C8 Corvette, something completely missing from the C7 Corvette. Besides Side Blind Zone Alert, the safety suite includes Rear Cross Traffic Alert, HD Rear Vision Camera, Front Curb View Camera, Rear Camera Mirror, and Rear Park Assist. All these add up to underscore the C8 Corvette’s role as a “true supercar for every day.”
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Comments
As C8 been driven over speed bumps that are popping on streets across America? How does the front lift work on these situation. I have read or seen how it handles the curbs.
I wish I had not spent the money on the front lift system.
I ordered it because at the time I presumed the splitter was lower
than my C7 was.
Not true. Either the C8 is the same or actually higher than the C7.
Never had a problem with the C7 hitting anything.
Save your money.
I’ve reserved my C8, so I am clearly a fan, but I’m also going to call out GM for this kind of garbage marketing. Of course they would engineer a car with unsafe blind spots and not compensate with blind spot monitoring. Typical GM. Camaro is the same. This is why I went from a GM family to a garage with Audis and Hondas.
I agree with your comment regarding GM marketing. We were looking at a Cadillac SUV for my wife and the lane departure, automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control was a $5,000 option (technology package). I had just purchased a new $20,000 Toyota Corolla for commuting and the Corolla had all the aforementioned “technology” safety features as standard equipment on a $20,000 car. Needless to say we didn’t buy the Cadillac SUV.
Sounds like you reserved a 1LT. Also didn’t get the front lift for the speed bumps. GM should have age appropriate option packages.
It’s hard to believe that GM is so far behind compared to other manufacturers with safety features being standard for the majority of their vehicles. Glad I ordered the 2LT package for my 22 Corvette.
Tomg
Mid engine cars have a long history of blind spots.
Why would one knowing this complain and not Oder this if it was that much of a problem.
GM worked hard to keep the prices down and still make these systems available to those who feel they are important.
The reality is this if you know how to drive with mirrors you can easily live with out.
I do that now with no drama.
I also have the warning deal even in the seats of another vehicle and to be honest I never really notice as I am using the mirrors.
Look there is no right or wrong way here just what you are able or used to doing. If you want it buy it but stop complaining because it adds a little to the price of a bargain sports car.n
Most of you will struggle with the rear view camera as you have to focus differently than you do in a regular mirror. I am waiting for the complaints there as most who have never driven on don’t know yet.
Chevy could have just added more and started the price at $90k and eliminated 30% of you real quick.
Might note Lotus offered a Model recently with no rear window at all, cameras or sensors. No one complained there.
More electronic stuff to go wrong and add cost ;Chevrolet offers the customer the choice;buy the base car for a very reasonable price and pay attention or option it up to what you feel comfortable with;If you are not comfortable with the visibility…or any other features… of a car you should look at other options.
Great Option! The lack of this option is what kept me out of a C7 version. I’ve driven Vettes since 1973. On the highway, too many people like to ride in your blind spot (I’ve read and heard all the stories about adjusting your mirrors) and check out your ride. Especially with the C8 version and it’s HTP (Head Turning Power).
learn how to drive and you won’t need a blind zone alert. I owned a Countach and it had no blind zone alert and I never had a problem. Let me tell you on the road with that car you were always surrounded by people looking at it and I never hit anyone. Can’t drive stay home.
I have blind spot, front and rear cameras, lane monitoring, pedestrian alert, back up sensors and seat vibrations on my 2020 Cadillac CT6 Premium Luxury. Also had them on my 2017 Cadillac CT6. I can’t think of how many times the blind spot on my C5 convertible has almost gotten me in trouble when in town or the highway. They are worthwhile and will keep the drivers alerted. It’s an option that should be standard on any vehicle whether it be a C8, SUV/CUV, sedan or pickup. Even a Chevy Spark could benefit from these features.
GM needs to rethink their strategy and include technology on all the vehicles they make
One side zone alert downside is that it trips radar detectors. Another is it adds to C8’s cost. I vote no.
That should be standard in all vettes any little import has all those warnings as standard equipment I bought a C8 and had to buy the 2LT package ($7400) just I could have the blind spot warning and the rearview mirror because without the camera the rearview mirror is useless
But the way GM package it you have to pay for all the other stuff that you may not care for
I bought several Corvettes new in 1979-80 & ’85. They had individual options for exactly what you wanted. An example, I always ordered Heavy Duty cooling and HD Brakes. Now you have to order a Z51 Package which comes with a significant price increase and maybe options you don’t necessarily want. They made over 53,000 Corvettes in 1979 and it wasn’t a problem having many individual options and it shouldn’t be that difficult now. Corvette has started to break some features out on the new C8 for order, so I credit them with seeing that customers do want to individualize their cars.
got my c8 wednesday tourch red to say i love it is not enough i have the blind zone mirriors its needed but i waited from oct 12 and i am glad i did
1LT, no blind spot and no front lift. I live in a congested Canadian city with horrible roads, but I still have not needed front lift after 12000 km. Some may like the blind spot monitoring, I have owned other mid engined cars with worse visibility, so maybe it’s just me. I’ve racked up over 1M miles with no accidents and I don’t expect to start with the C8. PS I have an HTC and never use the mirror cam. For those who compare the tech cost GM charges. Look at the cost from Porsche for ANY options. Love the cars, hate the bare bones starting point.
While I like all the safety features I have on my Cadillac XT5, and will order the 2LT for my 2022 C8. It’s good exercise to look over your shoulder and check your mirrors, because some people may be accelerating rather quickly. Just because you have all these safety features, you don’t want to take them for granted.
Note the front lift depends on where you live and where you drive. GM tried to keep the height to where it was safe in daily driving and the lift is for extreme driveways where you will get hung up.
The first time you scrape it has paid for itself.
That’s a good point, I added the factory Z51 front splitter as a $200 feeler gauge… and it looks better.
I have had my C8 for just under a year now. I have just under 3,000 miles on it. I only have the 1lt and while the blindspot is an issue, it is not nearly as bad as people make it sound. However, with that said, there are certainly times, such as in heavy traffic, that the blind spot detection would be really handy. It would have been nice to have that a standard feature as many cars offer that standard these days.
Blindspots Just like the Camaro.. every single person thats never driven one parrots what all the magazines say about not being able to see out… but when you actually drive one, its not any worse than any other sportscar.. lol
I’m guessing the 1LT doesn’t get you the rear view mirror that can be switched to a HD camera. I have it on my CT6-V and it’s very useful cutting out blind spot issues when combined with side mirrors. Wish it was available on my 3LZ Z06 as you also have to have heightened awareness of the cars around you.
I don’t mind paying extra for blind spot monitoring. But it shouldn’t be added into an $7000 upgrade to LT2 or in with an upgraded stereo system on the LT1. Do you really need 14 speakers?
Always have been a fan of ala carte options. On my 70’s & 80’s GM cars and Corvettes most all options could be ordered alone. I always ordered HD cooling & braking on every car as an example. Like you said, I would have wanted blind spot monitoring on my C7 Z06.
All these comments pro/con are valid. As Scott said, I wish there was a compromise where you could only add the safety features without all the other things in the LT2 package. I do understand it is a marketing tool for GM to make some extra money. Bottom line… LT1, 2 and 3 are extraordinary values regardless! P.S. I commend all on this thread for being respectful of one another’s comments, hate it when some bash others for simply sharing their opinion.