Only one of dozens of midsize cars had headlights that rated above acceptable according to a recent study.
Out of 31 midsize cars evaluated, the Toyota Prius v* was the only one to earn a rating of "good" in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's first-ever headlight ratings. Eleven other vehicles earned a rating of "acceptable" and the rest were "marginal" or "poor."
"If you're having trouble seeing behind the wheel at night, it could very well be your headlights and not your eyes that are to blame," IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer David Zuby said.
Testers used a device that measures the light from low and high beams as vehicles were driven straight and on curves. The headlights were tested as received from the dealer.
The Institute's rating system favors lights that produce ample illumination without excessive glare for oncoming drivers.
Online: First-Ever IIHS Headlight Ratings Show Most Need Improvement
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
*The Prius v earns a good rating when equipped with LED lights and high-beam assist. When equipped with regular halogen lights and without high-beam assist, the Prius v earns a poor rating.
