Over the last decade or so, the automotive world has seen plenty of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) enter the market. Adaptive headlights are one example, though they are still pretty hard to get. So, are they worth it?
Yes, adaptive headlights are worth it if you can get your hands on them. Those headlights can pivot left and right depending on how far you turn your steering wheel. As a result, you’ll have increased visibility of where you’re turning and can react quicker to any dangers on the road. Sadly, this is not yet a standard feature on most vehicles.
In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about adaptive headlights. Firstly, you’ll learn how it works and how it differs from other types of headlights. Then, you’ll see its pros and cons which will help you decide if they are worth it for you.
Let’s get to it.
What’s The Difference Between Adaptive And Non-Adaptive Headlights?
Before we dive into the question of whether or not adaptive headlights are worth the price tag, you must first understand what they are.
Most car makes and models these days still use non-adaptive headlights. Those are pretty straightforward, as they involve two or more headlamps pointing forward in a fixed position. When you turn them on, they’ll illuminate the road ahead of you.
At the most, you can adjust non-adaptive headlights to project high beams that shine brighter and further ahead on the road. You’d normally use high beams in areas without street lamps where your long-range visibility is limited.
However, an increasing number of auto manufacturers are now including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in their vehicles, including adaptive headlights.
How Do Adaptive Headlights Work?
When it comes to adaptive headlights, it’s all in the name: they are headlights that adapt to your driving environment to maximize your visibility of the road ahead. More specifically, those headlights aren’t fixed and can adjust their positions as needed.
Adaptive headlights work by relying on several sensors embedded inside your vehicle, particularly those for your steering wheel. For example, as you turn your steering wheel to navigate a corner, the system will adjust the headlights’ angle to point in the direction you’re going.
In doing so, your car brightens the part of the road that you want to have maximum visibility so you can take corners or turns more safely.
Like many other car features, marketers sometimes call them by different names. So, adaptive headlights are sometimes also referred to as ‘smart headlights’ or have other similar labels.
One thing you must understand, though, is that adaptive headlights are not the same thing as automatic headlights.
Adaptive Headlights Vs Automatic Headlights: Are They The Same?
The automotive industry has few or no rules about labeling different features. Unfortunately, that can lead to plenty of people confusing adaptive and automatic headlights.
Knowing the difference is crucial as a car buyer, so you know what you’re paying for.
Here is the difference between the two, in a nutshell:
- Adaptive headlights: Adaptive headlights are those that can pivot based on where the steering wheel is pointing. Doing so ensures that the driver can see where they’re going as clearly as possible.
- Automatic headlights: Automatic headlights are those that adjust depending on how bright it is outside. For example, they’ll turn on the high beam automatically when the road ahead is dark. However, automatic headlights are in fixed positions and cannot pivot.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Adaptive Headlights?
Now that you’re clear about how adaptive and non-adaptive headlights work, let’s take a closer look at their benefits and drawbacks.
Here are the most important factors to consider when deciding if adaptive headlights are worth it or not for you.
Pro: Illuminate Road More Accurately
Firstly, the main selling point of adaptive headlights is that they illuminate the road ahead more accurately.
That’s a valuable advantage to have when driving, as it allows you to spot dangers on the road well ahead of time. As a result, you’ll have more time to react by avoiding that danger or bringing your car to a complete stop.
Pro: Follow Path Of Steering Wheel
Adaptive headlights aren’t entirely automatic in the sense that they’re not receiving instructions from a computer. As helpful as computers are, they can still produce errors and don’t necessarily understand what the driver needs all the time.
Instead, adaptive headlights pivot based on your input via the steering wheel. The system will know precisely when and how far you turn the steering wheel and adjust the headlights accordingly.
Pro: Protects Oncoming Drivers
Adaptive headlights don’t just benefit your vehicle, but they also consider the wellbeing of other drivers. More specifically, these headlights ensure that they don’t blind oncoming drivers as they turn.
The system achieves that by disabling some of its LED clusters as needed. So, the adaptive headlights will illuminate unoccupied parts of the road while avoiding oncoming drivers that would otherwise be blinded by your headlights.
Con: Limited Adaptability
As you saw earlier, adaptive headlights pivot based on how far you turn your steering wheel. Unfortunately, current versions of this system have a limited range of motion for those lights.
So, when you’re navigating a particularly sharp corner, your adaptive headlights might not be able to turn all the way.
Con: Costly Feature
Adaptive headlights are still not a standard feature on most cars. Instead, you’re more likely to find it in costlier vehicles like luxury cars.
Con: Limited Aftermarket Availability
These days, you can find many aftermarket options for various Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Aftermarket options allow you to retrofit your existing vehicles to enjoy the benefits that they provide.
Sadly, there are very few options for aftermarket adaptive headlights. Sure, getting them is still possible, but they’re expensive and very few manufacturers produce them.
Bottom Line: Are Adaptive Headlights Worth It?
All things considered, adaptive headlights are certainly worth it if you can get them. They increase your visibility of the road when it’s dark, thereby increasing your overall safety.
Unfortunately, they’re not the most accessible car feature available. That means for most drivers, adaptive headlights are still too expensive and challenging to get, even if they want them.