First arriving for the 2017 model year, the Cadillac XT5 was primed and ready for a refresh heading into the 2020 model year. The updates include changes to the styling and interior, as well as a revamped trim level cadence and the addition of a new turbocharged four-banger and nine-speed automatic transmission. In addition to all these big changes, there’s also a smaller, yet important addition to the Rear Camera Mirror feature, namely a Rear Camera Mirror Washer.
For those who may be unaware, the Rear Camera Mirror feature gives the driver a real-time video stream from a rear-facing camera to the rearview mirror in the cabin, providing a clearer picture of what’s behind the vehicle thanks to a wide-angle lens. The feature also circumvents things which may block the view from inside the cabin, such as rear-seat passengers or headrests.
However, it’s possible that the Rear Camera Mirror can get dirty, making it difficult to perform its duty. The camera is placed above the rear license plate cutout, and could get smudged by grime or mud. That’s where the 2020 Cadillac XT5’s Rear Camera Mirror Washer comes into play.
To activate the feature, the driver must push the windshield wiper stalk (located to the right of the steering wheel) forward. This will then spray the Rear Camera Mirror lens with washer fluid, cleaning it in the process. It’ll also spray fluid on the Cadillac XT5’s rear window.
The Rear Camera Mirror is an available option on the 2020 Cadillac XT5, offered via the Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package, which can be had with Sport and Premium Luxury trim levels, but not the base-level Luxury trim. The Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package includes the following content:
- Eight-inch color gauge cluster
- Head-Up Display
- HD Surround Vision
- Rear Pedestrian Alert
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Rear Camera Mirror Washer
- Automatic Parking Assist with braking
To note, the Rear Camera Mirror system on the Cadillac XT5 can be deactivated by pushing on the stem located at the bottom end of the mirror in the cabin, disabling the camera feed. Pulling the stem reactivates the feature.
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This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
Comments
Maybe this is a new feature for the XT5, but my 2019 Bolt already has this feature. Pretty clever 🙂
My 2017 Bolt had it as well.
The XT5 had the camera washer beginning in 2017. It works very well, even in winter.
Nope. The washer was not available for the 2017 or 2018 or 2019 XT5. It’s a new feature for the 2020 model year.
I have a 2017 XT5 Platinum with the Panoramic Mirror camera equipped with a washer from the factory. The washer is activated along with the rear window washer by pulling back on the right steering column stalk.
It is definitely not a new feature for 2020. The Panoramic Mirror has new functionality with positioning and magnification adjustments, but the camera washer is continuation from that on 2017-2019. The washer also washes the backup camera because those cameras are next to each other.
It had this feature at launch, but it was only available on the Platinum trim level. The 2020 model year is also getting the Rear Camera Mirror upgraded you the second generation, which includes a higher resolution, the ability to zoom in and out, dim or brighten, as well as raise or lower the image as desired.
I’ll bet most people don’t realize that when you get older and develop presbyopia (ie: you need reading glasses) that these rear vision camera mirrors become useless. As a former automotive engineer, I drove company vehicles with the feature and reported the problem but no one can fix it. When you look at an image in an ordinary vehicle mirror, your focal point is the object in the mirror way behind you. The digital screen of the camera mirror has a focal point of it’s surface. This is maybe 2 feet away from your eyes and is blurry unless you put on reading glasses, but then you can’t see the road in front of you. If you use bi or tri focals, you need to tip your chin way up to look at the mirror clearly. My advice, skip this option if you are aging (like me).
That’s exactly why it can be turned off.
I have a 2009 GMC Acadia with this feature (I know it’s old, right?) and it comes in really handy although I don’t use it all the time because I don’t want to become dependent on it. The Camera Washer feature sounds great because I always hated trying to use it when backing up and having to get out, wipe it off, and get back in to use it. Great Addition!
I find that hard to believe, seeing as the first vehicles with it were the 2016 Cadillac CT6 and 2017 XT5.
Shane, If you were to do your research, you would see that I’m referring to the older version of the Rearview Mirror Camera that would use up half of the windshield mounted rearview mirror when the 2009 GMC Acadia SLT 1 is shifted into reverse. The SLT 2 and the Denalis had the rearview cameras that would show through the factory installed touchscreen radios when shifted into reverse only.
The rear camera mirror discussed in this article is not the camera that comes on when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
It is a rear facing camera in addition to the backup camera that provides a video view of traffic in the rear-view mirror when driving forward at all times.
I already knew what you meant, but the backup camera integrated into the rear view mirror is not the same as the rear camera mirror. I made the comment because you claimed that you had this technology (rear camera mirror) in your 2009 Acadia, which implies that backup camera technology and the rear camera mirror are the same technology and have the same purpose, neither assumption is true. There’s different hardware and software their purposes are not the same.
My apologies Shane. I understand what you’re talking about now. I guess my “transmission” was slipping when I read and responded to your original comment