2020 Cadillac XT5 Adds Rear Camera Mirror Washer

After three years on the market with minor changes, Cadillac’s popular XT5 crossover is getting a refresh for the 2020 model year highlighted by a few updates to the exterior, a few changes to the interior, an overhauled trim level structure, a new turbo-charged four-cylinder engine and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. But there’s one small, yet important change that has gone relatively unnoticed for the 2020 Cadillac XT5 refresh – the addition of a washer to the Rear Camera Mirror.

The XT5 has offered the innovative Rear Camera Mirror feature since its launch for the 2017 model year. The feature streams a rear-facing camera view on the conventional inside mirror screen. Compared to a traditional rear view mirror, the Rear Camera Mirror delivers a better view of the area behind the vehicle by not showing common obstacles, such as headrests and rear-seat passengers, while improving the overall field of vision thanks to a wide-angle view not possible with a traditional rearview mirror. And now, what’s new for the 2020 Cadillac XT5 refresh is that the Rear Camera Mirror feature is getting is own dedicated washer.

Picture this scenario: as the Cadillac XT5 is driven through adverse weather conditions, like rain, snow, sleet, sand or mud, the lens for the Rear Camera Mirror – located just above the rear license plate cutout – gets dirty, causing the image feed coming into the display in the rearview mirror to become unclear. At that point, the driver can stop the vehicle to clean the lens. But that’s not at all convenient. Enter the Rear Camera Mirror Washer – which features a concealed high-pressure spray mechanism that clean the Rear Camera Mirror lens.

To activate the Rear Camera Mirror Washer, the driver should simply push the windshield wiper lever forward. For those who need help locating the windshield wiper lever, it’s the stem on the right of the steering wheel, attached to the steering column. Pushing it forward sprays washer fluid on the rear window as well as on the Rear Mirror Camera lens, cleaning both, and clearing up the Rear Camera Mirror feed coming into the vehicle.

It’s worth noting that the Rear Camera Mirror on the 2020 Cadillac XT5 is not standard. Instead, the feature is included and only available with the Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package, which is optional on Premium Luxury and Sport models (but not on the base “Luxury” model). The package includes the following features:

• 8-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

The result of numerous patents, the Rear Camera Mirror first made its debut on the 2016 Cadillac CT6, becoming an industry first. The Rear Camera Mirror Washer was then added a year later, for the 2017 Cadillac CT6. Both features have since made their way to various Caddy models, including the 2020 Cadillac XT5 and XT6, as well as the all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade. Meanwhile, the Cadillac CT5 offers the Rear Camera Mirror, but does not offer the washer system.

One can disable the Rear Camera Mirror by “pushing” on the stem on the bottom of the mirror, converting the mirror to a traditional rearview mirror pictured here.

We should also note that those who do not wish to use the Rear Camera Mirror can simply “push” on the stem located at the bottom end of the mirror. Doing so disables the video feed and reverts the mirror to being a traditional rearview mirror. Pulling on the stem enables the Rear Camera Mirror functionality.

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