Study Shows Most Small Crossovers Have Bad Headlights

Most crossovers’ headlights are aimed too high, according to tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conducted a study on the effectiveness of headlights in 21 popular small crossovers and found that most of the models were deficient in regard to headlamp technology. Of the 21 models tested, 12 received a rating of “poor,” with 5 models being rated “marginal.” Only four models achieved a rating of “acceptable.” Those were the 2017 Ford Escape, 2016 Hyundai Tucson, 2016 Honda CR-V and 2016 Mazda CX-3. No model achieved the IIHS’s top rating of “good.”

“Manufacturers aren’t paying enough attention to the actual on-road performance of this basic equipment,” said Matthew Brumbelow, a senior research engineer with the IIHS. According to the IIHS, the main fault lies in headlight beams being aimed too high as crossovers ride higher than passenger cars. The testing also showed that 17 of the models produced excessive glare for oncoming traffic that was “unacceptable.”

The tests conducted by the IIHS adhere to the standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but IIHS tests go further than federal requirements and test equipment under real-world circumstances. The IIHS started its headlight-testing regime last year in order to push the industry towards improvements in headlight technology. The IIHS says that around half of traffic deaths happen outside of full daylight hours.

The 12 models rated “poor” were the Audi Q3, Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax, Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Renegade, Jeep Wrangler, 2017 Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Nissan Rogue and the Subaru Forester.

[Source: Automotive News]