Does the Lavida have a reverse camera?
5 Answers
The high-end version of the Lavida comes with a reverse camera, while the base model does not, but it can be installed separately. The reverse camera monitoring system is particularly important for novice drivers, offering a more intuitive and practical solution compared to all-around parking sensors. Additional information: 1. The reverse camera, also known as a parking assist system, reverse visual system, or onboard monitoring system, is now widely used in various large, medium, and small vehicles for reversing or driving safety assistance. 2. The reverse camera system is installed at the rear of the vehicle, providing a clear and direct view of the area behind the car when reversing, which is highly practical for reversing safety. Installation is straightforward; typically, a basic single-output reverse camera only requires connecting the positive power wire to the positive terminal of the car's reverse light power supply and the negative power wire to the negative terminal of the reverse light or to ground (GND).
I bought a mid-range Lavida last year, which came with a rearview camera right from delivery, and it's been incredibly handy to use. According to the salesperson, only mid-to-high trims come with this feature as standard; the base trim indeed doesn't have it from the factory. If you've got the base trim, don't worry—you can have the original camera installed at a 4S店 for around 2000 yuan, and the clarity is just as good as the factory-installed one. However, my neighbor opted for a cheaper aftermarket camera at a repair shop, and now the image gets blurry in the rain and flickers at night. My advice is to go for the mid-range trim right away when buying a new car, like mine, so you can clearly see blind spots like stone posts when reversing in the neighborhood—it's a double safety net with the rear radar and camera combo. If you're installing it yourself, remember to route the wiring discreetly to avoid compromising the trunk's seal.
I've been running a driving school for over a decade and have taught thousands of students to operate the Lavida. The mid-to-high trim models come with built-in reversing cameras which are quite handy – beginners find the screen more intuitive than checking three mirrors. However, the base version indeed lacks this feature, so many students' parents opt for aftermarket installations. My advice is not to just go for the cheapest cameras; I've seen those 300-yuan aftermarket cameras fog up within six months. During installation, make sure the technician routes the wiring carefully to avoid short-circuiting the brake light circuits. The newer Lavida Plus models now come with trajectory lines in their reversing cameras, predicting positions during turns – much more convenient than the old Santanas we used to drive. After installation, always test its performance in rainy conditions to ensure driving safety isn't compromised.
Among the twenty-plus Lavidas in our car club, the reverse camera configuration really varies by model. The older pre-2015 Lavidas mostly don't have it, while the mid-trim 2019 models started including it as standard. I drive the Trendline version and installed a genuine part for 1500 RMB at a professional modification shop, which integrates perfectly with the infotainment screen. New buyers should always confirm with the dealer - some 4S stores bundle the camera installation in decoration packages. I recommend choosing a wide-angle lens when installing; it gives you an extra half-meter visibility for parallel parking. Don't cheap out on off-brand products - a club member had battery drain issues from using third-party lenses, which ended up costing more to fix.
As a female car owner, I feel there's a huge difference whether the Lavida has a reversing camera or not. My Comfort trim comes with the factory-installed camera, which gives me great peace of mind when reversing on rainy nights. My best friend bought the base model and installed one afterwards, and now she never worries about scraping the curb when reversing. If you ask me, go for the flip-down camera type when installing aftermarket - it hides behind the emblem and doesn't look obtrusive. During installation, avoid choosing protruding models as they can easily get damaged by high-pressure car wash jets. Some aftermarket cameras have distorted images that can make you dizzy. If your budget allows, go straight for the higher trim - Volkswagen's flip-down cameras even come with self-cleaning, so you don't have to worry about dirt during rain or snow.
