So the 4runner fails headlight tests with a "poor" rating

[TeeDub21]

Not surprised, they are flat out horrible, first thing I noticed. Our Super Duty truck that is 10 years older has better headlights. Toyota saves the good headlights for their Lexus line.

Or for the Corolla. Pretty crazy a Corolla can be had with HID but not a $40k 4Runner.

 

[Lionel_Hutz]

Or for the Corolla. Pretty crazy a Corolla can be had with HID but not a $40k 4Runner.

Or a $48k 4R Ltd, or a $50k Highlander Hybrid. Just silly.

 

[KP Texan]

Yeah I was kind of bummed about my 4Runner’s halogen headlamps, but I knew this going into it (really any informed buyer should know). Now that I’ve swapped in some slightly modified H9s for a whopping $18, I’m actually pretty satisfied. Now I’m not naive enough to think they’re Lexus level HIDs, but they’re good enough to hold me over for awhile.

 

[Lionel_Hutz]

Yeah I was kind of bummed about my 4Runner’s halogen headlamps, but I knew this going into it (really any informed buyer should know). Now that I’ve swapped in some slightly modified H9s for a whopping $18, I’m actually pretty satisfied. Now I’m not naive enough to think they’re Lexus level HIDs, but they’re good enough to hold me over for awhile.

This (along with slightly better road manners) was the reason we just bought a CX-9 instead of a Highlander. Still seriously considering a 4Runner for my car, but would modify the lighting right away. And if there were a comparable car with modern lighting, I'd probably buy it instead. Toyota has durability mastered but they drive me crazy with little stuff like this.

 

[Ezlife45]

I really don't get these guys that say the lights are horrible. Try driving something from the early 2000's

These headlights are probably 3rd or 4th in the vehicles I've driven. And three of the the top 4 are HID with the nicest some self-leveling lights from a sweet thing with a three pointed star.

 

[e60ral]

my '86 BMW had better headlights, my '89 Ford had better headlights, my '92 BMW had better headlights, my '98 BMW had better headlights, my '00 Nissan had better headlights, my '06 BMW had better headlights

I was a fleet manager during that time period and drove at least one of each type of our vehicles; the Rangers, Silverados, Tacomas and Sprinters from around that time all had better headlights.

The only vehicle I've had that made me equally nervous at night was an E350 box truck and I'm not sure if that just needed to have the headlight aim adjusted

If you think this is good, I'm curious what vehicle from the 2000's you think is better

 

[Benski]

I don't believe the hype!

My headlights work fine. I have good vision at night when my eyes adjust. What messes me up is when another vehicle comes at me with brights on, high intensity lights, or headlights aimed too high! That often times temporarily blinds me. The only time I have had any problem seeing with my lights is in fog. You can believe the hype and spend your money but I'm not buying into that.

 

[17KT4R]

We also own a 2013 Mercedes GLK 350, the headlamp housing looks very similar to the 4Runner but of course the OEM bulb is a Phillips HID, probably in the 5K+ temp range. Optically speaking? At night both of these vehicles seem to extend their beam patterns the same distance, I see the same swath of light spectrum side to side on dark streets and the same cut off. The only thing different in my opinion is colour temp of course. And the Benz lights auto level.

I think I have good night vision, I drive my motorcycle at night with a dark tinted visor and have no issue, but practically speaking I think maybe because the halogen bulbs are still new and strong they seem the same as our GLK. My 2000 Jeep TJ with sealed beam halogen bulbs had to be replaced every 2-3 years just because the intensity came down and you could see they didn't shine nearly as far as before, but when new they were great.

I've pre-ordered these new SL1 LED's from Diode Dynamics as I'm very pleased with their other products and I simply want to have a different colour temp in the truck, similar to the Benz. I don't expect them to shine any farther or brighter of course - but the advertising says otherwise. I'll report back when they are eventually shipped / installed.