What's all this about?

Kia has updated the blind-spot monitoring/warning system that we all know and love (you know, the one invented by Volvo in 2007 and called BLIS, which has spread to almost every other carmaker going in the interim) for its forthcoming fourth-generation version of the Sorento SUV. It's called Blind-Spot View Monitor, or BVM.

Can I take it that BVM involves some sort of visual representation of blind spots, given its name?

You're very astute. Yes, BVM takes the feed from its mirror-mounted, wide-angle, high-resolution cameras and then overlays the speedometer/rev counter/hybrid displays (in models with hybrid gear, natch) with a video view of cars coming up into the rear-three-quarter area of the Sorento. This is made possible because all Sorentos in Europe will have the 'Supervision' 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, but BVM will be part of a package including Surround-View Monitor and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA), as well as a Bose Performance Series audio system. It is necessary to have Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), which is Kia's 'regular' blind-spot warning set-up, already fitted to upgrade to the package including BVM. Oh, and if the camera view replaces the speedo, then the vehicle's speed is still overlaid on the cluster - so no excuses for getting nabbed over the limit and trying to blame the onboard safety systems for the error.

We'll bring you full details on the Kia Sorento Mk4, as and when UK prices and specs are released.

Matt Robinson - 7 May 2020