9 vehicles headlights are compared in this test.
9 models in headlight comparison
At half past one in the night, the car motor and sport logo shines on the tarmac behind the Mercedes grandstand at the Hockenheim-Ring. The lead-up image for the Great Light Test 2018 is in the box. You thought that was a Photoshop trick? No, the projection allows high-end headlight technology, in this case Mercedes. The beamer technology used for the first time in the Maybach S-Class marks the preliminary climax of progress in the field of light that the light-emitting diodes introduced a few years ago.
As you know, LEDs offer many advantages. The headlights take up less space than xenon burners, giving designers more freedom. In addition, light-emitting diodes are inexpensive to produce, energy-efficient and, with a service life of around 10,000 hours, they are maintenance-free and long-lasting. But most car models, at least in the basic variants, still offered with halogen headlights and also bought.
Halogen light and its limits
That the classic lights do not have to be bad, proves Dacia Duster in our test. The large reflector surfaces and the high installation position ensure good illumination of the road. How important these two factors are in halogen lights, proves the Citroën C3: Its compact headlights are very deep and not only produce a very weak beam of light, but also dazzle other road users. In addition, the light bulbs in both vehicles in terms of life, brightness and light range not reach to light-emitting diodes.
Conclusion Dacia Duster: The Duster gets the best out of the halogen light. That's good, because LED headlights do not exist. dazzling , but could be brighter.
Light type: halogen headlights. Citroën C3: Although the halogen lamps produce a pleasant light color and a soft bright-dark border, but they lack a total of radiance.
The low-positioned lights shine only in front of the vehicle sufficiently bright and dazzle oncoming traffic. The high beam seems too high and not far enough.
Conclusion Citroën C3: That Citroën offers only low halogen headlights for the C3, is out of date.
LED Lights:
Even simple LED headlights, such as those offered for VW Polo or Mazda CX-3 , literally bring more light into the darkness with daylight-like light color of 5,500 Kelvin. Even more than the low installation height, the software-controlled headlamp range control has an effect here. While the VW light beam appears quite rigid, the light cone of the Mazda is constantly in motion. Whether that is positive or disturbing, however, is perceived differently.
Light type: simple LED light. VW Polo: The slightly bluish low beam of the Polo illuminates the road wide, however, arises when the main beam is a dark strip in the middle.
The problem: Traffic signs reflect heavily, and oncoming drivers feel dazzled, even though the high-beam automatic In addition, the light cone is very rigid, the adaptation to bumps in the road is slow. With the exception of the cornering light, dynamic functions are missing. Low glare effect.
Conclusion VW Polo: For 1.175 euros extra offer the LED headlights bright and largely glare-free light
Light type: simple LED light. Mazda CX-3: The white Mazda light is more pleasant at night driving for the own eye, since the light edges run more fluently than the VW Polo.
The problem: Traffic signs reflect heavily, and oncoming drivers feel dazzled, even though the high-beam automaticHowever, the oncoming traffic is more dazzled by the wider dispersion, and the high-beam assistant reacts sluggishly. Since the facelift is available for the CX-3 Matrix LED light.
Conclusion Mazda CX-3: Despite their glare, the standard in the upscale LED lights are recommended.
Full LED Headlights:
The larger SUV Volvo XC60 and DS 7 Crossback, however, have full-LED headlights with dynamic features on board. In addition to cornering light - mechanically moved in the DS - the Volvo offers an electronically controlled high-beam assistant, which not only regulates the headlight range, but also spares oncoming or preceding cars in the cone of light.
Light type: full LED light. DS 7 Crossback: The three rotating dipped beam LED are not only spectacular, but they also illuminate the road in curves reliably.
On the straight, however, the light is concentrated in a narrow tunnel. For the headlamps show the least glare of all test candidates.
Conclusion DS 7 Crossback: The DS headlights is cinematic scene and hardly dazzling, but could be brighter
Light type: full LED light. Volvo XC60: The full-LED headlamp with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights so bright and wide that suddenly emerging moose are hard to miss.
The problem: traffic signs reflect strongly, and oncoming drivers feel dazzled, even though the high-beam automatic lights respond quickly.
Conclusion Volvo XC60: The LED headlights produce a bright and wide cone of light, but dazzle greatly.
Adaptive lights with intelligent lighting control
Even more confident are the adaptive LED headlights from Audi and BMW. Above all, the matrix LED light in the A8 is constantly in motion, reacting to different curve radii and topographical changes with the switching on or off of individual light-emitting diodes. The camera also recognizes oncoming traffic, people and street signs and dims them. The sevens master the test rides in a similarly confident manner. Its brighter LED light and high-beam assistant are less agitated, but the software has a harder time detecting pedestrians and glare-free traffic signs.
In both, the LED headlamps are extended by laser modules that emit several hundred meters in the high beam mode. In fact, the laser spots come in real driving only on long, barely used straights to the effect, since their adjustment range is low despite dynamic control.
In another direction Mercedes goes with the Digital Light. These are floodlights which, in addition to the well-known 84-LED system, have a high-resolution beamer module. As a result, the S-Class not only screens out other road users to the nearest centimeter in the test, but also supports the driver with symbols projected onto the road surface. The system would even be able to animate crosswalks. And here is the catch: For there is still missing the final release by the Federal Motor Transport Authority. After approval, there will then be a small series for selected fleet customers of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
Light type: Adaptive lights. BMW 7 Series: The LED light of the sevens pleases with its pleasant light color, but the road is not as well lit as on the A8 and S-Class. dazzling , but could be brighter.
The additional laser beam for 1,200 euros produces a tunnel effect on long straights. On the highway, the two bright points of light, which move independently through the adaptive control, can be confusing. The suppression of oncoming traffic and turning vehicles works early, in the detection of pedestrians, the system has problems.
Conclusion BMW 7 Series: The LED light convinces by brightness, the effect of the laser high beam disappointed.
Light type: Adaptive lights. Audi A8: Who with the 5,800 euro expensive Matrix LED headlights drives through the night, which gets something offered. Like a light curtain, they hide oncoming and preceding cars and dimming reflective signs effectively, but not every tester found it pleasant in the long run.
Turn-off traffic and passers-by are not always recognized accurately. As with the sevens, the laser-assisted high beam effect only works on even stretches, but only minimizes oncoming traffic.
Conclusion Audi A8: Impressive light show, but could irritate. The light should shine even brighter
Light type: Adaptive lights. Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: The digital light headlights of the Maybach work in principle like HD projectors, which can even project symbols on the road to point to about their own lane width in construction sites or danger spots. That sounds like science fiction, but does not feel that way in the test.
Due to the many millions of individual points of light creates a very quiet illumination impression, although constantly lane areas are hidden or dimmed. Other road users are accurately recorded and left out only in parts such as the windscreen or in the head area.
Projections on the roadway, like the arrow here, point to danger spots. Although the darkened areas are clearly visible to the driver, oncoming traffic often feels blinded. In addition, not all signs are effectively dimmed in the challenging topography of the test track.
Digital Light in Detail: High-current LEDs distribute their light to over one million adjustable micromirrors. These then reflect the rays as "light pixels" through a lens onto the road. A computer processes the information from sensors and stereo camera and realigns the small mirrors in real time so that they always illuminate the street optimally.
Conclusion Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: The driving impression is outstanding despite detailed weaknesses, the projections provide extra safety. Only the glare of oncoming traffic is too high.
Model / Category illumination brightness Driveability blinding
Light type: halogen headlights
Dacia Duster O + O +
Citroën C3 - O O O
Light type: simple LED light
VW Polo + + + ++
Mazda CX-3 + + + O
Light type: full LED light
DS7 Crossback + + + ++
Volvo XC60 + + + -
Light type: Adaptive lights
BMW Sevens + ++ + +
Audi A8 ++ + ++ +
Mercedes-Maybach ++ ++ ++ O
S-Class
++ Very well
+ Well
O Satisfying
- Insufficient
-- Inadequate
That's how we tested
In practice, the lux and luminal values of current light systems determined in the laboratory are hardly relevant. What counts is good light distribution and brightness as well as low glare under real conditions. That is why four testers between the ages of 28 and 60 evaluate the lighting systems according to uniform criteria - initially during a comparative night ride on a topographically demanding country road. The adaptive systems must also master special test scenarios on the racetrack with pedestrians and traffic at the edge of the road.
Conclusion
The Duster proves that even halogen lamps can deliver good light. However, they can not match the brightness of even simple LED headlamps such as the Polo. Particularly recommended are LED systems with simple adaptive functions such as long-distance and bend lighting. Not much else, however, can the expensive laser light systems. Although the digital light from Mercedes shows new possibilities, the mass production is not yet foreseeable.
9 models in headlight comparison
At half past one in the night, the car motor and sport logo shines on the tarmac behind the Mercedes grandstand at the Hockenheim-Ring. The lead-up image for the Great Light Test 2018 is in the box. You thought that was a Photoshop trick? No, the projection allows high-end headlight technology, in this case Mercedes. The beamer technology used for the first time in the Maybach S-Class marks the preliminary climax of progress in the field of light that the light-emitting diodes introduced a few years ago.
As you know, LEDs offer many advantages. The headlights take up less space than xenon burners, giving designers more freedom. In addition, light-emitting diodes are inexpensive to produce, energy-efficient and, with a service life of around 10,000 hours, they are maintenance-free and long-lasting. But most car models, at least in the basic variants, still offered with halogen headlights and also bought.
Halogen light and its limits
That the classic lights do not have to be bad, proves Dacia Duster in our test. The large reflector surfaces and the high installation position ensure good illumination of the road. How important these two factors are in halogen lights, proves the Citroën C3: Its compact headlights are very deep and not only produce a very weak beam of light, but also dazzle other road users. In addition, the light bulbs in both vehicles in terms of life, brightness and light range not reach to light-emitting diodes.
Conclusion Dacia Duster: The Duster gets the best out of the halogen light. That's good, because LED headlights do not exist. dazzling , but could be brighter.
Light type: halogen headlights. Citroën C3: Although the halogen lamps produce a pleasant light color and a soft bright-dark border, but they lack a total of radiance.
The low-positioned lights shine only in front of the vehicle sufficiently bright and dazzle oncoming traffic. The high beam seems too high and not far enough.
Conclusion Citroën C3: That Citroën offers only low halogen headlights for the C3, is out of date.
LED Lights:
Even simple LED headlights, such as those offered for VW Polo or Mazda CX-3 , literally bring more light into the darkness with daylight-like light color of 5,500 Kelvin. Even more than the low installation height, the software-controlled headlamp range control has an effect here. While the VW light beam appears quite rigid, the light cone of the Mazda is constantly in motion. Whether that is positive or disturbing, however, is perceived differently.
Light type: simple LED light. VW Polo: The slightly bluish low beam of the Polo illuminates the road wide, however, arises when the main beam is a dark strip in the middle.
The problem: Traffic signs reflect heavily, and oncoming drivers feel dazzled, even though the high-beam automatic In addition, the light cone is very rigid, the adaptation to bumps in the road is slow. With the exception of the cornering light, dynamic functions are missing. Low glare effect.
Conclusion VW Polo: For 1.175 euros extra offer the LED headlights bright and largely glare-free light
Light type: simple LED light. Mazda CX-3: The white Mazda light is more pleasant at night driving for the own eye, since the light edges run more fluently than the VW Polo.
The problem: Traffic signs reflect heavily, and oncoming drivers feel dazzled, even though the high-beam automaticHowever, the oncoming traffic is more dazzled by the wider dispersion, and the high-beam assistant reacts sluggishly. Since the facelift is available for the CX-3 Matrix LED light.
Conclusion Mazda CX-3: Despite their glare, the standard in the upscale LED lights are recommended.
Full LED Headlights:
The larger SUV Volvo XC60 and DS 7 Crossback, however, have full-LED headlights with dynamic features on board. In addition to cornering light - mechanically moved in the DS - the Volvo offers an electronically controlled high-beam assistant, which not only regulates the headlight range, but also spares oncoming or preceding cars in the cone of light.
Light type: full LED light. DS 7 Crossback: The three rotating dipped beam LED are not only spectacular, but they also illuminate the road in curves reliably.
On the straight, however, the light is concentrated in a narrow tunnel. For the headlamps show the least glare of all test candidates.
Conclusion DS 7 Crossback: The DS headlights is cinematic scene and hardly dazzling, but could be brighter
Light type: full LED light. Volvo XC60: The full-LED headlamp with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights so bright and wide that suddenly emerging moose are hard to miss.
The problem: traffic signs reflect strongly, and oncoming drivers feel dazzled, even though the high-beam automatic lights respond quickly.
Conclusion Volvo XC60: The LED headlights produce a bright and wide cone of light, but dazzle greatly.
Adaptive lights with intelligent lighting control
Even more confident are the adaptive LED headlights from Audi and BMW. Above all, the matrix LED light in the A8 is constantly in motion, reacting to different curve radii and topographical changes with the switching on or off of individual light-emitting diodes. The camera also recognizes oncoming traffic, people and street signs and dims them. The sevens master the test rides in a similarly confident manner. Its brighter LED light and high-beam assistant are less agitated, but the software has a harder time detecting pedestrians and glare-free traffic signs.
In both, the LED headlamps are extended by laser modules that emit several hundred meters in the high beam mode. In fact, the laser spots come in real driving only on long, barely used straights to the effect, since their adjustment range is low despite dynamic control.
In another direction Mercedes goes with the Digital Light. These are floodlights which, in addition to the well-known 84-LED system, have a high-resolution beamer module. As a result, the S-Class not only screens out other road users to the nearest centimeter in the test, but also supports the driver with symbols projected onto the road surface. The system would even be able to animate crosswalks. And here is the catch: For there is still missing the final release by the Federal Motor Transport Authority. After approval, there will then be a small series for selected fleet customers of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
Light type: Adaptive lights. BMW 7 Series: The LED light of the sevens pleases with its pleasant light color, but the road is not as well lit as on the A8 and S-Class. dazzling , but could be brighter.
The additional laser beam for 1,200 euros produces a tunnel effect on long straights. On the highway, the two bright points of light, which move independently through the adaptive control, can be confusing. The suppression of oncoming traffic and turning vehicles works early, in the detection of pedestrians, the system has problems.
Conclusion BMW 7 Series: The LED light convinces by brightness, the effect of the laser high beam disappointed.
Light type: Adaptive lights. Audi A8: Who with the 5,800 euro expensive Matrix LED headlights drives through the night, which gets something offered. Like a light curtain, they hide oncoming and preceding cars and dimming reflective signs effectively, but not every tester found it pleasant in the long run.
Turn-off traffic and passers-by are not always recognized accurately. As with the sevens, the laser-assisted high beam effect only works on even stretches, but only minimizes oncoming traffic.
Conclusion Audi A8: Impressive light show, but could irritate. The light should shine even brighter
Light type: Adaptive lights. Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: The digital light headlights of the Maybach work in principle like HD projectors, which can even project symbols on the road to point to about their own lane width in construction sites or danger spots. That sounds like science fiction, but does not feel that way in the test.
Due to the many millions of individual points of light creates a very quiet illumination impression, although constantly lane areas are hidden or dimmed. Other road users are accurately recorded and left out only in parts such as the windscreen or in the head area.
Projections on the roadway, like the arrow here, point to danger spots. Although the darkened areas are clearly visible to the driver, oncoming traffic often feels blinded. In addition, not all signs are effectively dimmed in the challenging topography of the test track.
Digital Light in Detail: High-current LEDs distribute their light to over one million adjustable micromirrors. These then reflect the rays as "light pixels" through a lens onto the road. A computer processes the information from sensors and stereo camera and realigns the small mirrors in real time so that they always illuminate the street optimally.
Conclusion Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: The driving impression is outstanding despite detailed weaknesses, the projections provide extra safety. Only the glare of oncoming traffic is too high.
Model / Category illumination brightness Driveability blinding
Light type: halogen headlights
Dacia Duster O + O +
Citroën C3 - O O O
Light type: simple LED light
VW Polo + + + ++
Mazda CX-3 + + + O
Light type: full LED light
DS7 Crossback + + + ++
Volvo XC60 + + + -
Light type: Adaptive lights
BMW Sevens + ++ + +
Audi A8 ++ + ++ +
Mercedes-Maybach ++ ++ ++ O
S-Class
++ Very well
+ Well
O Satisfying
- Insufficient
-- Inadequate
That's how we tested
In practice, the lux and luminal values of current light systems determined in the laboratory are hardly relevant. What counts is good light distribution and brightness as well as low glare under real conditions. That is why four testers between the ages of 28 and 60 evaluate the lighting systems according to uniform criteria - initially during a comparative night ride on a topographically demanding country road. The adaptive systems must also master special test scenarios on the racetrack with pedestrians and traffic at the edge of the road.
Conclusion
The Duster proves that even halogen lamps can deliver good light. However, they can not match the brightness of even simple LED headlamps such as the Polo. Particularly recommended are LED systems with simple adaptive functions such as long-distance and bend lighting. Not much else, however, can the expensive laser light systems. Although the digital light from Mercedes shows new possibilities, the mass production is not yet foreseeable.
