Toyota Prius V Shines In Headlight Comparison To Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac

The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) recently conducted its first-ever headlight evaluations. Using its new Vehicle Research Center, the Institute looked closely at 31 midsize models and 82 possible headlight systems from those models. Optional headlight systems make it hard to rank a winner unless all headlights for a model are considered, so that is exactly what IIHS does.

The Prius V with its optional LED headlights scored “Good.” More expensive models from Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac scored “Poor” and Audi’s A4 and Audi’s TLX could only manage a “Marginal” Rating. It is important to note that although the Prius V is an affordable Mid-size sedan, one must opt for the most expensive trim (the 5) and also opt for the Technology package to get these high-scoring headlights. Any other Prius V has headlights that are rated “Poor.”

The new test protocol by IIHS involved taking multiple measurements of the effective light seen from headlights on its test track. Both high and low beams are evaluated, and low beams get more weight since they are used more than high beams. Adaptive headlights that move side to side, and automatic high beams can help a score, but only if they actually work well. IIHS reduces scores for systems that have excessive glare in the eyes of oncoming drivers.

The Prius V was the only model to score “Good.” The mid-size sedans that scored in the second tier of “Marginal” included the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Subaru Legacy. See the full results here.