Modern automotive safety technology is amazing, with a cornucopia of new features on offer these days to protect both passengers and other drivers on the road. However, some of these features aren’t necessarily all that complicated – in fact, all Cadillac models now offer front cornering lights, which enhance nighttime visibility when cornering.
Cadillac’s Front Cornering Lights work to illuminate a road around a bend, enhancing safety in the process. The lights operate at low speeds (below 25 mph) when the low-beam headlamps are lit. When the driver hits the turn signals or turns the steering wheel to a certain angle, the cornering lights activate.
It should be noted that Cadillac’s Front Cornering Lights are different from adaptive lighting, which will lower the primary headlamp beam angle at lower speeds to illuminate the road directly ahead of the vehicle. Front Cornering Lights are also different from Active Forward Lighting, which will turn the primary headlamp beam direction into a bend. Rather, Front Cornering Lights are single-direction lights that only activate when needed.
XT4, cornering light off
XT4, cornering light on
Finding the Front Cornering Lights on a Cadillac is relatively straightforward, as they are typically located just underneath the characteristic front signature lights / Daytime Running Lights.
We’ve listed a complete breakdown on the feature’s availability below:
- XT4: optional on Premium Luxury with Technology package. Standard on Sport. Not offered on base-level Luxury trim.
- XT5: standard on all 2020 models. For 2017 through 2019 model years, standard on Premium Luxury and Platinum, optional on Luxury, and not offered on Base.
- XT6: standard on all trim levels.
- CT4: optional on Sport, premium Luxury, and CT4-V with the Front Lighting and Assist Package, which also includes Front and Rear Park Assist and front lamp signals. Not offered on base-level Luxury trim.
- CT5: optional on Sport, Premium Luxury, and CT5-V with the Lighting Package, which also includes illuminating front sill plates. Not offered on base-level Luxury trim.
- CT6: standard on Premium Luxury, Platinum, and CT6-V. Not offered on base-level Luxury trim.
- Escalade (2015 – 2020) standard on Premium Luxury and Platinum, not offered on Base and Luxury trims.
It’s currently unclear if the next-generation 2021 Cadillac Escalade will also feature Front Corner Lights.
What do you think of this relatively simple, but effective safety feature? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
Comments
That’s actually a really cool article. I had not noticed that detail on modern Cadillacs but now I will never miss it. It’s interesting how far back this idea reaches… I know Cadillacs in the ’60s had cornering lamps (not sure about the ’50s) but it seems like the feature went on hiatus going into the early 2000s. Either way it is nice to see they’re including the feature again. Cadillacs seem to have lots of overlooked details like that.
Interesting side note… anyone remember when Corvettes had cornering lamps? C3 (towards the end) and C4 plus the C4 had matching side reverse lamps too! For some reason I always thought cornering lamps looked so sophisticated.
A couple of GM cars I had back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s had a small light on the front corner that would come on when I turned on the blinker to illuminate the road as I turned. One was on a Chevy and the other on a Cadillac. It is a simple feature that I thought more cars should have had this whole time. Good for Cadillac for making this a standard again.
Cadillacs had cornering lights decades ago. As a child, I saw a white Cadillac taking a turn and saw the side light near the front bumper illuminating. Just go through the pictures of past Cadillac sedans and see for yourself.
What Cadillacs miss is a mirror light that illuminates the front door and floor area below at night. My Ford Fusion has them. They are sometimes called “puddle lights”.
Cadillac hasn’t forgotten puddle lights. All four doors of my XTS have them.
Cadillac started this with the 1962 model, other GM cars had it as an option thereafter. Not sure when it got forgotten again.
My grandfather’s 1964 Buick LeSabre had cornering lights. With Cadillac reintroducing them, it seems like history is repeating itself once again.
I am glad Cadillac has brought back cornering lights, my Buick Lucerne has them and they are great. Many modern vehicles have cornering lights including Lexus RX, Dodge Ram, Lincoln Nautilus, Buick Lacrosse, Jeep Cherokee, BMW 3 Series to name a few. Good job Cadillac for staying true to your heritage.
Love that feature on both our 2019 XT5 and 2020 XT4! It really does make a difference turning a corner when it’s dark outside. Thanks GM!
Give em a couple of years, they’ll remove it in cost cutting moves, like they did with the new truck interiors,
I had cornering lights on my 1978 Oldsmobile cutlass and all our 12 Oldsmobile ‘s great feature to light cornering on turns this should be standard on ALL cars
I agree it should be standard or least available as an option package
woop dee doo. Had this decades ago. Then removed as penny pinching. Now re-introduced as if it was the greatest invention since sliced bread. They must think we’re stupid
What’s worse, it’s not available on Luxury “base” models. Only as a $250 option prerequisite with Tech & Interior Comfort packages. In other words, your pricing goes up $3,800 just to have them.
My Jeep Cherokee has them and I like them. I used to drive Cadillacs, Buicks, and Oldmobiles and they had/offered them. GM kept diluting content and quality as well as raising prices, so have gone with Chrysler and Genesis. no problems with either.
The Cadillac front cornering lights are a must have feature. I had 2 2017 XT5s and both my wife and I had problems seeing the sides when turning in a suburban neighborhood at night. We now have a 2019 & 2020 with the lights and it makes a world of difference. Other people I know without the lights have always complained about not seeing well when turning.
I agree it should be standard or least available as an option package
I’m pretty sure all Cadillacs (except the Cimarron & Catera) had them from the early 60’s until the RWD CTS/STS/SRX in the Aughts. The Deville/DTS never lost them.
The Catera’s actually had cornering lights believe it or not!
Wow, that’s the great and the best news for me.
The 2021 Escalade does not have cornering lamps…