Digital side mirrors sound cool, but they’re less fun when the camera fogs up, as some drivers in the UK have experienced
2 hours ago
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Hyundai has been on a mission to provide mainstream vehicles with more content and technology than you might expect. However, in the case of the digital side mirrors offered to certain Ioniq 5 buyers in Europe, some may find it prudent to forgo this futuristic technology.
The digital side mirror promises to improve aerodynamics and design by removing the bulky side units from vehicles and replacing them with cameras. These cut through the air more efficiently and project the image of the road behind the vehicle onto a screen inside.
Read: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Updated With Bigger Battery And Cool Video-Based Digital Mirrors In Europe
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Credit: user Welshwizard, ioniqforum.com
However, some owners in the U.K., where the technology is a standard feature on the Namsan Edition, have pointed out a pretty significant issue. Many owners have taken to the Ioniq Forum to complain that their visibility is being hampered by rain.
A thread started in June by user Nwp claimed that there appeared to be condensation inside the digital mirror lens when they get into their vehicle after it has rained. Several other users responded saying they have the same issue, and that it has only become worse as the weather has gotten chillier.
“Yes! I have the same [issue], barely got my Namsan at the end of June and I keep having this every time it rains. I live in the UK so that is very often unfortunately,” wrote user Adela. “I came on here especially for this, to see if anyone else experienced this.”
User Welshwizard noted that they also have experienced this issue and are considering bringing it up with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). They claim that, in combination with the lack of a rear windshield wiper, the condensation makes backing up quite difficult on rainy days.
We have reached out to both the DVSA and Hyundai UK for comment on this issue, but neither has responded yet.
Fortunately, the problem does appear to clear up after just a few minutes on the road. Many owners say that after around five or 10 minutes of driving, the digital side mirrors clear up again. Some argue that a reduction in visibility, no matter how brief, is a big issue while driving.
Moreover, one forum user claimed that their cameras became stuck in the downward position reserved for parking maneuvers. That seriously hampers rearward visibility, and can leave drivers with massive blind spots.
Some owners report that Hyundai has agreed to replace their digital side mirrors. Unfortunately, it remains unclear if this will be a permanent solution, as it has not been established if this issue is limited to specific parts, or if it is a design flaw common to all Ioniq 5s equipped with the feature.
