There is likely more needed than the sensor & control stick. Perhaps software changes that are unavailable for the XSE. The brochure only lists that as an option on the XLE.

 

What module controls it and does the XSE have it?

 

These days, it may be a software difference, using a module that has other purposes too. Having a different module for each purpose is very expensive. Software changes are much less expensive for the manufacturer.

 

Have we gotten to the point where we don’t want to have to decide when and how fast to turn on our windshield wipers? Good luck at the car wash

 

On my Ltd if I have the intermittent at the longest delay and the rain starts coming down harder and faster the delay is almost negated, if it starts to monsoon the wipers default in high speed wiping which I’ve never used. Having the glass treated with RainX and the washer fluid replaced with the orange RainX I’m able to drive without the wipers on. The reduction of friction causes water to bead up up into spheres that literally fly up and away. No water distortion from a dirty untreated glass surface to make wipers needed or cause me to have difficulty seeing down the road. The best way to fly into the storm. 😁

 

This might be more trouble than it's worth. When you start messing around with electronics no one knows at times what is going to happen and how to fix it if something goes wrong. I have had cars with rain sensing wipers and I really liked it but I would only like it if it came with the car not having it put in afterwards

 

Hand-Eye coordination has always worked for me. See rain on windshield, hand operates wiper lever. See no more rain, hand turns off wipers.

 

What are you, some kind of crazy person? Basing your wipers based on visibility, there’s an app for that! 😂

 

I just bought a new Honda Passport and it has rain sensing wipers. Keep in mind my vehicles are/were 2016 models and not heavily optioned so this is the most loaded car I've ever owned. The rain sensing wipers work well, maybe not exactly how I would do it, but good enough. It's especially nice when the rain is light but the road is wet and you have to keep changing wiper speeds when cars pass you or get in front of you and you have to make constant adjustments for the tire spray.

They do tend to go to high speed when I don't think it's raining hard enough to go wide open, and that's even on the lowest sensitivity setting. I also think there needs to be an indicator light to remind you they're on. Since they stop when the rain stops you forget they're still in the auto position. Some people like leaving them on auto but I prefer to turn them off when it's not raining.

 

I also think there needs to be an indicator light to remind you they're on.

On the 2025 Camry, the switch position on the stalk serves that purpose.