Small SUVs perform poorly in insurance industry headlight tests... with only four models deemed 'acceptable' and 12 labelled 'poor'

  • The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said Tuesday that none of the 21 SUVs tested earned its highest ranking
  • Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-3 performed best and were deemed 'Acceptable'
  • More half the SUVs tested received the lowest ranking, including the Subaru Forester and the Audi Q3, however 

By Associated Press and Zoe Szathmary For Dailymail.com

Published: 05:50 EST, 12 July 2016 | Updated: 12:22 EST, 13 July 2016

Small SUVs for 2016 and 2017 did poorly during new headlight tests done by the insurance industry.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said Tuesday that none of the 21 SUVs tested earned its highest ranking.

The Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-3 performed best and were deemed 'Acceptable'.

More half the SUVs tested received the lowest ranking, including the Subaru Forester and the Audi Q3, however.

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The Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-3 (pictured in a file image) performed best and were deemed 'Acceptable'

The Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-3 (pictured in a file image) performed best and were deemed 'Acceptable'

A Honda CR-V is pictured in this file photograph. The tests — which began earlier this year — measure the amount of usable light provided by low beams and high beams on straight and curved roads

A Honda CR-V is pictured in this file photograph. The tests — which began earlier this year — measure the amount of usable light provided by low beams and high beams on straight and curved roads

IIHS also revealed: 'The worst headlights among the small SUVs belong to a different Honda — the new-for-2016 HR-V'

IIHS also revealed: 'The worst headlights among the small SUVs belong to a different Honda — the new-for-2016 HR-V'

IIHS said in a news release: 'The best-performing headlights in the small SUV group belong to a new model, the Mazda CX-3, and are available on its Grand Touring trim.

'They are curve-adaptive LED lights with optional high beam assist.

'The low beams perform well on both right curves and fairly well on the straightaway and sharp left curve; however, they provide inadequate light on the gradual left curve.

'The high beams perform well on most approaches.'

The tests — which began earlier this year — measure the amount of usable light provided by low beams and high beams on straight and curved roads.

High-tech headlights such as high-intensity discharge lamps don't necessarily perform better. 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said Tuesday that none of the 21 SUVs tested earned its highest ranking 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said Tuesday that none of the 21 SUVs tested earned its highest ranking 

More half the SUVs tested received the lowest ranking, including the Subaru Forester (pictured in a file image) and the Audi Q3, however

More half the SUVs tested received the lowest ranking, including the Subaru Forester (pictured in a file image) and the Audi Q3, however

An Audi Q-3 is shown in this stock photograph. It was one of the models labelled 'Poor' 

An Audi Q-3 is shown in this stock photograph. It was one of the models labelled 'Poor' 

IIHS said: 'Headlight performance in today's vehicles varies widely.

'Government standards are based on laboratory tests, which don't accurately gauge performance in real-world driving.

'The issue merits attention because about half of traffic deaths occur either in the dark or around dawn or dusk.' 

IIHS also revealed: 'The worst headlights among the small SUVs belong to a different Honda — the new-for-2016 HR-V.

'The illumination provided by the HR-V's halogen low beams and high beams is inadequate on all four curves and on the straightaway.' 

Expect automakers to upgrade their lighting soon.

Starting next year, the insurance institute won't give its coveted highest safety award to vehicles with poor headlights. 

 

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