The IIHS started rating headlights.
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/deskto...ed-improvement

Almost all cars (Except for a Prius) are "Acceptable" and below.
Maxima scored "Acceptable" for most trims, except for SR and Platinum that scored "Poor" ,likely due to low beam LEDs.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/deskto...ed-improvement

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/veh...a-4-door-sedan

 

Problem with this is the error they made...

SR and Platinum have LED headlights not S, SV and SL as they have listed. So the question is, which one is wrong? Is the mistake in the model listed, or the headlight type?

The results could be linked to either one depending on where the error is. If you remove the trim levels, it actually says the LED performed better...if you flip the headlight type it's the opposite.

 

I live in a rural area with minimum light posts at night, my Maxima lights up the roads extremely well. If these lights are "poor" I would love to see "excellent" lights, probably burn the on coming drivers eyeballs lol

 

I think the issue wasn't intensity - I def prefer the white LED color compared to yellowish old car lights. It was more of reach, especially to sides.

I live in Pittsburgh and the deer are a major issue. I've once ended up at night going 75mph on a fenced highway with a few deer stuck on the road. A couple of weeks ago I had to swerve wildly and could have ended up in bad accident when a deer crossed several lanes of traffic to end up in the opposing lane. I'd definitely want more side visibility.

 

They got the trim levels wrong. But surprised they rated the halogen projectors as poor.

 

I've had halogens in projectors in my previous vehicle (13 altima) and it was horrible. I have the SV Max and it was pretty horrible. I replaced with LED's, but the throw is not so far, a little shorter than halogens. It is brighter though. I do plan to switch over to HID's and putting my LED's as my highbeam. I don't think I am able to return the LED's.

I did also do some research. According to the service manual, the LED bulb/module is all included in the headlight assemblies for the SR/Platinum. It is not serviceable so you cannot just exchange any of it, or replace it with anything else. But it seems that no one has any problems with their factory LED's.

Whoever is looking to replace their halogens...do not go with plug and play LEDs. When I get my HID's in I will do a before/after picture with factory halogens, LED PnP, and HID PnP.

 

This.

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According to the test, we don't know which one truely performed better. But I would assume it would be the factory halogens were poor and factory led's were acceptable.

 

This is my assumption as well. If you look at the Altima with halogen projector, they were poor as well.

 

A lot of the narrative around the new test was that the newer fancier lights (including LEDs) actually perform worse, so I think they may have reversed the specs (LED/HID) but not the scores.

 

Huh, I just went to the page again and it looks like they reversed the trims to the correct specs.

 

Get good Quality HIDs in our headlights and they are great! I Love my TRS 5500k

 

 

Did you have the projectors adjusted at all or are they at the same level they were from the dealership?

 

HID should have been standard in the Maxima with a starting MSRP of 33k thats the bottom line.

 

Agreed

 

LED bulbs are great for fog lights since it seems to give a wide beam pattern but it seems that in projector housings the distance isn't that great. With that being said, it could be due to projector construction also. For example, some Xenon (HID) projectors have a wide pattern but short distance and others have good long distance. Wide is cool, aesthetically, but after playing around with a few projector set ups I would rather have distance.

 

 

I'm not sure if you meant to post that photo on a headlight luminosity thread, but I certainly enjoyed seeing your car. Sharp!

 

Wsup? I am new to the forum. Thoughts on the major differences between the Platinum and SL trim? Trying to debate which of the two I would like to purchase. Would love to hear from current drivers of the SL and Platinum models.

Thanks

 

The Platinum has better leather and LED low beam lights, also the 180 degree cameras which is very useful when parking in tight spots. I love my Blue Platinum,

 

Bmw's, those lights blind all oncoming traffic.

 

360 camera not 180.

 

don’t forget about honda/acura multi led headlights... they’re bright.
but they blinding af

 

 

Now and then oncoming drivers will give the "mean flash" indicating my low LED lights may be very bright. Had the aim checked and within spec.
The evaluators must have reversed the test results as the LEDs are super bright at long ranges.

 

even with lowered car, i had to lower the driverside more than the passengerside. the intensity is so high, that people will get bothered occassionally. took many adjustment to get the break-line below 90% of other peoples’ mirrors, and straight down the highway as much as i could (the usual low road divider is my limit).
i’m happy with it right now.

 

 

2016 midsize cars
Best available headlight system for each model

Good Toyota Prius v

Acceptable Audi A3 Honda Accord 4-door Infiniti Q50 Lexus ES Lexus IS Mazda 6 Nissan Maxima Subaru Outback
(built after Nov. 2015) Volkswagen CC Volkswagen Jetta Volvo S60

Marginal Acura TLX Audi A4 BMW 2 series BMW 3 series Chrysler 200 Ford Fusion Lincoln MKZ Subaru Legacy Toyota Camry

Poor Buick Verano Cadillac ATS Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu Limited
(fleet model) Hyundai Sonata Kia Optima Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz CLA Nissan Altima Volkswagen Passat

 

Could not agree more with ya. These lights are stunning at night and light up both sides of the road. Now if Nissan only had made the brights led as well! Would be a perfect 10/10 imo.

 

My 2016 SR on 20" Lexani Wheels.