American authorities say the lights on these cars are unreliable
2022-12-19
When you're driving, do you ever feel like you don't have enough light when you turn a corner, or that the headlights are too bright when you're coming?
A recent headlight test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the IIHS, found that not a single compact SUV or crossover earned an "A" rating, and only four barely managed to get an "acceptable" rating.
According to IIHS, the type of headlight does not guarantee the best lighting.
"Automakers don't pay enough attention to how the lights illuminate the car while it's on the road." Matthew Brumbelow, senior research engineer at IIHS. He believes that since automakers have a goal, they should improve quickly to meet the standards of testing.
By 2017, the IIHS will require all cars to have at least a "good" or "acceptable" rating on headlight tests.
So far, the Mazda CX3, with its adaptive array LED and high beam assist system, is considered the best performer among the models tested. Still, the IIHS found that the lights were not bright enough for left-turn lights. Other crossovers that received "acceptable" reviews included the Hyundai Tucson, the Honda CRV and the all-new and upgraded 2017 Ford Escape.
The IIHS also cited the Honda HR-V as the worst-performing vehicle, with low or high headlights, corners and straight lines.
"Too harsh" is a big reason why many models don't get an "acceptable" rating. The reason for the harsh light is that the headlights aren't in good focus. Brumbelor thinks the headlights on many crossovers and SUVs are placed too high.
IIHS tests headlights at night, using special equipment to measure the distance the light casts. There are five driving modes: straight line, sharp left turn, sharp right turn, gradual left turn and gentle right turn. If the headlights are too harsh, then it's unlikely to get a very good score, and of course the smart high beam assist system is a plus.
Here are the results:
Acceptable:
The 2017 Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Mazda CX-3
Neither good nor bad:
BMW X1, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan
Bad:
Audi Q3, Buick Enclora, Chevrolet Tron, Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, 2017 Kia Sporty, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Nissan Wonder-Tron and Subaru Forester.
A recent headlight test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the IIHS, found that not a single compact SUV or crossover earned an "A" rating, and only four barely managed to get an "acceptable" rating.
According to IIHS, the type of headlight does not guarantee the best lighting.
"Automakers don't pay enough attention to how the lights illuminate the car while it's on the road." Matthew Brumbelow, senior research engineer at IIHS. He believes that since automakers have a goal, they should improve quickly to meet the standards of testing.
By 2017, the IIHS will require all cars to have at least a "good" or "acceptable" rating on headlight tests.
So far, the Mazda CX3, with its adaptive array LED and high beam assist system, is considered the best performer among the models tested. Still, the IIHS found that the lights were not bright enough for left-turn lights. Other crossovers that received "acceptable" reviews included the Hyundai Tucson, the Honda CRV and the all-new and upgraded 2017 Ford Escape.
The IIHS also cited the Honda HR-V as the worst-performing vehicle, with low or high headlights, corners and straight lines.
"Too harsh" is a big reason why many models don't get an "acceptable" rating. The reason for the harsh light is that the headlights aren't in good focus. Brumbelor thinks the headlights on many crossovers and SUVs are placed too high.
IIHS tests headlights at night, using special equipment to measure the distance the light casts. There are five driving modes: straight line, sharp left turn, sharp right turn, gradual left turn and gentle right turn. If the headlights are too harsh, then it's unlikely to get a very good score, and of course the smart high beam assist system is a plus.
Here are the results:
Acceptable:
The 2017 Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Mazda CX-3
Neither good nor bad:
BMW X1, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan
Bad:
Audi Q3, Buick Enclora, Chevrolet Tron, Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, 2017 Kia Sporty, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Nissan Wonder-Tron and Subaru Forester.
