Privacy Glass in cars

There seems to be an obsession with privacy glass in vehicle rear windows -- why ? It was an extra but now seems to be standard, indeed its appears to be almost impossible to purchase a new car without it ! - not looking at new but a replacement used vehicle and I dislike privacy glass.

To me it make a good day look like a bad day [weather wise] and bad day as if Armageddon is about descend upon us ! I also find IMO it obstructs rear view vision.

It would be interesting on others thoughts?

I think it's one of many pointless and ugly features of new cars.

It is what the overwhelming majority of buyers want. Simples.

Tinted glass does help keep temperatures in the car down. This is useful if like me you have a dog (or unlike me a child) in the back of the car.
You can get infrared filtered glass that looks almost clear. It's normally used on the front windows. Expensive and also stops you using a GPS inside the car in most cases.

Robert.

The alternative seems to be a mesh screen stuck on the window. Now that aircon is so common it probably helps to prevent the sun heating the car and working the aircon harder. With youngsters strapped in car seats it could help avoid sunburn. It also helps keep your anonymity if you are a drug dealer.

Mike

From the viewpoint of the following traffic it makes it more difficult to see what is happening further ahead - rather like driving behind a van with no rear window.

From the 'benefit' of driving an SUV / estate with the offending windows.

You can see following traffic clearly when the outside is brighter than the inside.

People walking passed it when parked can't see what goodies you have in the back.

The down side is reversing in a very dark place is nearly impossible without a camera and only the door mirrors will find cyclists riding with no lights.

On balance privacy glass is a pain I could live without..

Could it be an age problem? I am 78 and have non of the problems mentioned. The privacy glass I find is very useful for it’s primary function ie privacy of the rear seats and their contents.

Perhaps it could be an eyesight problem seeing through it? Or are we confusing privacy glass with the illegal darkened windows beloved by boy and girl racers.

Shouldn't be legal, apart from diplomatic/government vehicles

When I drive, I like to see what is ahead of the car ahead ie 2 cars in front of me. Not always possible, but it gives me extra time to react to the guy in front who is probably on the phone, reading a map or other distracting pastime. Obscured glass doesn't help

There are regulations which specify the maximum degree of tinting that can be applied.

After market tinting kits, seem, often to break these regulations; or maybe it the person who applies the tint, who overdoes things.

Anything factory fitted should comply.

Howard

My car has dark rear windows, it was not my choice and now living with it I find little benefit, it does tempt me to just leave my jacket in the footwell rather than the boot and reversing off my drive is more difficult at night, I don’t deal in drugs so that benefit is not required and I am not a celebrity. Overall it would mark it as a slight disadvantage.

Mike

Hi Howard, the regulations in the UK only apply to the front windscreen and the two front side windows. Tinted vehicle windscreen law (UK)

Regards Nick.

I like the extra security for what is either on the rear seat or in the footwell. This particularly applied when was working as could have several laptops and other electronic gear in the back of the car.

Colin

Which is why these cars have heavily tinted rear side windows, and clearer front ones. Which looks ridiculous.

I dislike the fact that they obscure the view for other drivers making driving near them more dangerous. Are not blacked out rear windows likely to make it more likely for someone to break into the car?
Often wonder why people who pay extra for them typically can't afford to have working indicators.

They don't obscure anything from the inside. The glass is one way. They keep the internal temperature down and improve security. I was sceptical but having had a car supplied with it, I would have no problem with it. If other road users have to hang back a little more, that is a bonus.

Hi, I can’t understand why tinted rear windows make driving near them more dangerous , how do they drive when a big van or a wagon is nearby.Why does anybody need to see through the car in front,hope that one was a wind up

Maurice

Have had two cars now with tinted rear windows my personal taste is I don’t like them and think they make the car look slightly ridiculous, unfortunately we have no choice now as they come as standard, something that manufacturers think we crave. Dave W

Why and why allow it for the so called elite?