21:51 14-10-2025

IIHS headlight evaluations 2025: what the ratings reveal

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released fresh results from its headlight evaluations. Only 51% of the tested models earned a Good rating, while 16% were judged Marginal or Poor. That’s a marked step forward from 2016, when just one vehicle achieved the top mark, yet the issue of nighttime visibility still refuses to fade into the background.

IIHS reported that vehicles with good headlights are 19% less likely to be involved in single-vehicle crashes and 23% less likely to strike pedestrians after dark. The assessments covered how well the road is lit on straightaways and through curves, along with the amount of glare cast on oncoming drivers. In 2025, only 3% of vehicles produced excessive glare, a drop from 21% in 2017. Progress you can actually notice on an unlit highway—though confidence at night still hinges on the exact lighting setup.

Among models that earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation, standouts include the Honda Civic, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia Telluride, Audi Q6 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Tesla Model Y. Meanwhile, certain versions of the Toyota Tundra, Mazda 3, Hyundai Tucson, and Audi Q7 received more modest marks due to differences in equipment. It’s a reminder that what’s in the headlight housings can matter more than the badge on the trunk.

For shoppers weighing safety alongside real-world lighting performance, these findings offer a useful compass. Checking how a specific trim fares in the IIHS headlight evaluations can make all the difference when the sun goes down.