Yes, this is yet another thread on LED headlights. But different!

So, seriously, this is about something I haven't been seeing in the other lighting threads: Just how badly some Toyota OEM LED headlights suck. So this is a warning.

I started looking into this when I learned that the 2021 4Rs are going to come with LEDs stock. I was a bit miffed because I'd just bought a 2020 and, as everyone knows, the stock halogens are shitty. So I wondered if Toyota might end up selling their new LED units to older 4R owners. Cause they had started selling the OEM LED fog lights they put on the TRD Pro. In fact I had my dealer install them on my Limited. They're pretty good -- and of course safe and legal. So this seemed like a good sign.

But then I looked at the IIHS test results for various Toyota OEM LED headlights. Yikes! They can be as bad as bad halogens!

Here, see how badly they perform on the Tundra:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/tundra-crew-cab-pickup/2020#headlights

(the only good result is for the high beams straight ahead. They stink to the left and right. And the low beams are horrid in every direction)

Here, see how badly they perform on the Rav4:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/rav4-4-door-suv/2020#headlights

(the only good ones are the adaptive version on the Limited Hybrid trim)

Here, see how they're only decent on the Tacoma:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Toyota/tacoma-crew-cab-pickup/2020#headlights

(these are so-so on the low beams, excellent on the high beams. If Toyota uses an existing system for the 21 4R, I hope it won't be worse than these)

The incredible irony of this is the risk that the 2021 4R headlights will actually be worse than today's halogens with upgraded bulbs, forcing people to try to retrofit their OEM LEDs back to halogens or to HIDs. Holy cow!

Fingers crossed that the 21 4R LEDs are the same or better than the ones in the Taco!

 

A survey of the OEM LED headlights on other brands shows an interesting mix. Some, like the Tundra, have inadequate throw (distance illumination) overall. Some are excellent with low beams but not high beams. Or visa versa.

Here, see the good but not great results for the new Kia Telluride:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/kia/telluride-4-door-suv/2020#headlights

The low beams are excellent in all facets, and the high beams are excellent to the left and right. But they don't have much throw straight ahead. Still, these results overall are much better than what Toyota generally produces.

Here, see the poor results for the Honda Passport:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/honda/passport-4-door-suv/2019#headlights

The high beams are so-so but the low beams fall well short, especially left and right.

Here, see the results for the MINI Cooper:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/mini/cooper-2-door-hatchback/2020#headlights

The low beams are excellent but the high beams might as well not even exist!

Here, see the results for the BMW X5:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/bmw/x5-4-door-suv/2020#headlights

The low beams are excellent as are the high beams left and right. But they fall a bit short straight ahead. Still, nice results overall.

Soooooooo the moral of the story is that vehicle manufacturers are doing a mixed job with their OEM LED headlights. Few are excellent on both the low and high beams. Many are good on one but not the other. But some just plain stink, providing little benefit over halogens in terms of distance vision.

 

Thanks for research and information. I'm still looking also.

 

These headlight conversations are nothing but a ball of confusion for me. The ones installed in my 2019 are OK for my needs - they are installed so I've adapted to them. If there's something better I'd install them, but honestly, there are too many options and opinions and there doesn't seem to be a real consensus on what the best replacements are at the moment. I may just upgrade bulbs, but it's not high on the list.

 

It definitely is confusing. My research indicates that the best safe solution currently available to us is H9s or upgraded H11s. These provide a big improvement in distance vision, no trouble with the law and no risk of blinding other drivers -- just reduced lifespan. They produce much, much better usable light than aftermarket LEDs and much more safety than aftermarket HIDs. These upgrades may also be preferable to many OEM LED systems because, as documented in this thread, those systems are often surprisingly weak.

The ultimate solution IMO is a good OEM LED retrofit. For example, if Toyota specs a good system on the 2021 4R and will sell it to owners of older models. That way we'll know they are DOT compliant, not blinding to other drivers, should have high quality control, and won't cause warranty spats etc with your Toyota dealer if something goes wrong. So I'm crossing my fingers on that.

 

is your avatar Guy Ledouche from MXC?

 

Yep! I love that show...

 

i miss it, i wish they made more, and I wish they were on Netflix or Amazon

 

There's some snippets on YouTube, but I haven't found episodes on any of the networks.