Nissan Just Revolutionized The Rearview Mirror

Americans have gotten used to rearview cameras, which make driving in reverse easier and safer, and will be required on all new cars by May 2018.

Now, Nissan is taking the next step forward - adding the benefits of a camera to the rearview mirror.

The Smart Rearview Mirror looks like a standard mirror, but when the driver flips a switch, she's shown a much clearer view of what's behind her car, piped in from a camera in the rear windshield.

No more struggling to see past tall passengers, head rests, and piles of suitcases. Fantastic.

The mirror itself fulfills federal regulations and is available if the camera ever fails, or the customer prefers to go old-school. But we're guessing that once drivers get used to the LCD screen mode, they'll stick with it.

U.S. customers will get their first in-person look at the Nissan Smart Rearview Mirror at the New York Auto Show (open to the public April 18-27).

We made a GIF to show you how it switches modes, using a flip on the back of the mirror. Nissan filled the trunk of the Rogue with balloons to show off the benefits of the camera: